VA Benefits Guide 2026:
Your Map to the Benefits You Earned

The Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) tells the VA you plan to submit a claim. It starts your backpay clock—you have one year to complete your claim while protecting your start date. Submitting an ITF today could mean more money in your pocket if your claim takes time to process.

The VA uses diminishing efficiency math — see our Whole Person Concept section for a visual breakdown of why 50 + 50 equals 80.

VA Healthcare is free or low-cost medical care through VA hospitals and clinics. VA Disability Compensation is monthly tax-free payments for service-connected conditions. You can have both—many veterans use VA healthcare and receive disability pay. The PACT Act now makes VA healthcare easier to access for toxic-exposed veterans.

Yes! Accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) like the DAV, VFW, and American Legion provide free claim assistance. They have trained representatives who can help you file, gather evidence, and appeal decisions—at no cost. You can also call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 for help.

Veterans typically qualify for VA loans with $0 down payment, $0 monthly PMI, and competitive interest rates. If you have a 10%+ service-connected disability rating, you also get a $0 funding fee—saving thousands at closing. Request your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) →

No—VetBenefitsGuide.org is an independent resource built by veterans for veterans. We're not a government agency. Our mission is to translate the complex VA system into plain language, helping you get the benefits you earned. All official VA benefits are provided directly through the VA at VA.gov.

Your C-File (Claims File) is the VA's complete master record of every claim you've ever filed — including rating decisions, medical opinions, service treatment records, and correspondence. It is the single most important document for understanding where you stand.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: If a medical opinion, buddy statement, or test result isn't in your C-File, it didn't happen as far as the VA is concerned. Request your C-File before any appeal.

Submit a Privacy Act Request using VA Form 20-10206 or through a VSO. Processing typically takes 2-4 months. Expedite it if you're approaching a hearing deadline. How to request records →

A Nexus Letter is a medical opinion from a qualified healthcare provider that connects your current disability to your military service. The word "nexus" means link — it's the bridge between what happened in service and what you're experiencing now.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The VA will not connect the dots for you. If the nexus isn't stated in writing — with specific medical rationale, not just a checkbox — it didn't happen. A strong nexus letter uses phrases like "more likely than not" or "at least as likely as not."

You can get a nexus letter from your VA doctor, a private physician, or a specialist. Some veterans also use independent medical opinion services — but always verify the provider is licensed and will review your full file before writing.

Intent to File (ITF) — VA Form 21-0966 — is a one-page document that notifies the VA you plan to submit a claim for disability compensation. Its sole purpose: to lock in an effective date for backpay purposes while you gather evidence.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The ITF only protects your effective date if it's properly submitted and dated. A verbal mention to a VSO, a phone call to the VA, or an incomplete form doesn't count. If the date isn't in the system, it didn't happen.

You have one year from the ITF submission date to complete and file your full claim (VA Form 21-526EZ). If you miss the window, you lose the protected effective date and must file a new ITF.

File your ITF today — even if you haven't gathered all your evidence yet. It costs nothing, takes minutes online at VA.gov, and can be worth thousands in retroactive pay. Start your ITF →

To win a VA disability claim, you must prove three elements — the "Caluza Triangle" (named after a landmark court case):

1. Current Diagnosis: A medical professional has diagnosed you with a condition. "I think I have it" is not enough.
2. In-Service Event or Injury: Something happened during your military service — a documented injury, toxic exposure, or a condition that began while on active duty.
3. Nexus (Link): Medical evidence connecting #1 and #2, showing your current condition is related to your service.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: All three elements must exist in writing in your claim file. A missing diagnosis, an undocumented injury, or a weak nexus — and the VA will deny. If it isn't in black and white, it didn't happen.

A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is a standardized VA form that a medical provider fills out to document the severity of a specific condition. Each condition has its own DBQ — knee conditions, PTSD, hearing loss, etc. The DBQ asks the provider to record symptoms, range of motion, functional limitations, and medical findings.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: A DBQ is only as good as the provider who fills it out. If the provider doesn't measure range of motion with a goniometer, or checks "no limitation" when you can barely bend over — that's what goes into your file. What's written on the form is what happened.

You can bring a completed DBQ from your private doctor to a C&P exam. Public DBQs are available at VA.gov. Some VSOs and accredited agents can help you identify the right DBQ for your condition.

An Effective Date is the date the VA uses to start your disability compensation payments. It's typically the date the VA receives your claim — or the date your Intent to File (ITF) was submitted, whichever is earlier. This date determines how much retroactive pay (backpay) you receive from the time you filed until the time your claim is approved.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The effective date is determined by what's in the system — not what you intended or talked about. If you called the VA but never filed an ITF, the call didn't happen for backpay purposes. Always file the ITF in writing, today.

Backpay can be worth tens of thousands of dollars if your claim takes months or years to process. This is why filing an ITF immediately — before you've gathered all evidence — is the single most financially valuable move you can make. See the Tactical Roadmap →

A Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam is a medical examination ordered by the VA to evaluate the severity of your claimed condition. It's not a treatment visit — it's an assessment. The examiner's report heavily influences your disability rating, so preparation is critical.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The C&P examiner records exactly what they observe. If you say "I'm doing fine today" when you actually have 6 bad days out of 7 — that single statement becomes the permanent record. Describe your worst day, not your best day. If you minimize your symptoms, the VA won't fill in the gaps.

How to prepare: (1) Bring a copy of your DBQ if you have one. (2) Bring notes describing your symptoms on your worst day. (3) Be specific — instead of "my back hurts," say "I can only stand for 10 minutes before I need to sit, and I can't lift more than 10 pounds." (4) Never exaggerate, but never minimize.

Missing a C&P exam without good cause can result in an automatic denial of your claim. If you can't make it, call the VA immediately at 1-800-827-1000 to reschedule.

TDIU (Individual Unemployability) allows veterans who are rated below 100% to receive compensation at the 100% rate if their service-connected conditions prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment. This is one of the most overlooked pathways to full compensation.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: TDIU requires evidence that your service-connected conditions — not age, not the economy, not personal choice — prevent you from working. This must be documented by medical opinions, employer statements, and/or vocational assessments. If the evidence isn't in your file, it didn't happen.

You generally qualify if you have: (1) one condition rated at 60% or higher, OR (2) multiple conditions with a combined rating of 70%+ where at least one is 40%. File VA Form 21-8940. Working in a "protected environment" (family business, sheltered workshop) does not disqualify you. Check your combined rating →

Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition, or who was rated 100% P&T for at least 10 years before death. It also applies if the veteran died while receiving — or entitled to receive — VA disability.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The cause of death on the death certificate must link to the service-connected condition — or the veteran must have met the 10-year P&T rule. If the death certificate doesn't state the connection, and there's no medical opinion linking the cause, the connection didn't happen in the VA's eyes. Surviving spouses should request an autopsy if the cause is unclear.

In 2026, the basic DIC rate starts at approximately $1,653.01/month, with additional payments for dependent children. File VA Form 21P-534EZ. A VSO can help you navigate this at no cost. Survivor benefits guide →

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the document that proves to mortgage lenders that you qualify for a VA-backed home loan based on your service history and duty status. Without it, lenders cannot process a VA loan application.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: Your COE is only as accurate as your service records on file. If your DD-214, NGB-22, or personnel file has errors in your service dates or character of discharge, your COE may be denied or delayed. Request your records before you apply — and verify every line.

You can obtain your COE through the VA eBenefits portal, through a VA-approved lender, or by mailing VA Form 26-1880. Processing takes 4–6 weeks by mail, or can be instant through the online portal if records are accessible. VA home loan guide →

Permanent & Total (P&T) means the VA has determined your service-connected disability is both permanent (not expected to improve) and total (rated at 100%). A veteran with P&T status generally will not be subject to future re-examinations.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: P&T status is noted in your rating decision letter. If it's not explicitly stated in writing, you are not P&T — even if you're rated 100%. The designation must appear in black and white. Check your most recent rating decision or benefits summary letter.

P&T unlocks additional benefits beyond the monthly payment: Chapter 35 DEA education benefits for dependents, CHAMPVA health insurance for your family, property tax exemptions in most states, and the Dependents' Educational Assistance program. Many of these are worth more than the monthly check itself. Verify your rating →

Yes — but with a critical nuance. The VA does not assign a standalone rating for "chronic pain" itself. However, the VA must consider pain when evaluating the functional impairment caused by a diagnosed condition. If pain limits your range of motion, strength, or endurance, the examiner must factor that into the rating.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: Pain is subjective — the VA can't see it, so you must document it objectively. Functional limitation statements from your doctor, physical therapy notes documenting reduced range of motion, or a pain journal with specific dates and impacts all help. If pain isn't documented in your medical records, it didn't happen — even if you feel it every day.

You can also claim a secondary condition caused by pain — such as depression due to chronic pain, or gait problems from compensating for a painful knee. These secondary conditions can increase your overall rating.

Under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), you have three lanes for challenging a VA decision:

1. Higher-Level Review (HLR): A senior reviewer re-examines your existing evidence. No new evidence allowed. Fastest option — typically 4–5 months.
2. Supplemental Claim: You submit new and relevant evidence that wasn't in the original claim. This resets the clock and gives you another chance with stronger documentation.
3. Board Appeal (BVA): You take your case to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Three docket options: Direct Review (fastest), Evidence Submission, or Hearing (slowest, most thorough).

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: You typically have one year from the date of the VA's decision to file an appeal. If you miss that deadline, the decision becomes final. The clock starts on the date printed on your decision letter — not when you opened the envelope. Mark your calendar. Get your records ready →

The Bilateral Factor is a VA rule that gives you an extra 10% boost when you have service-connected conditions affecting paired body parts — both knees, both shoulders, both feet, both hands, both arms, or both legs. The VA recognizes that damage to both sides of the body is more disabling than damage to one side alone.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The bilateral factor is only applied if each affected body part has its own documented diagnosis. If you have pain in both knees but only one knee is in your medical records, the second knee didn't happen for rating purposes. Every bilateral condition must be claimed and documented separately.

The math: the VA combines all bilateral ratings first, adds 10% of that combined value, then combines the result with your other ratings. For example, if you have 30% left knee and 20% right knee: 30 + 20 = 44% combined, plus 10% bilateral factor (4.4%) = 48.4%, rounded to 50%. That's a real difference in your monthly check. Run your numbers →

A Secondary Service Connection is when a condition that is already service-connected causes or aggravates another condition. For example: a service-connected knee injury causes you to walk with a limp, which over time damages your hip or lower back. The hip/back condition can then be claimed as secondary to the knee.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: Secondary connection requires a medical opinion explicitly linking the new condition to the already-rated one. Your doctor must state: "Condition B is at least as likely as not caused by Condition A." Without that written nexus, the connection doesn't exist in the VA's eyes — even if it seems obvious to you.

Common secondary conditions: depression due to chronic pain, sleep apnea aggravated by PTSD, GERD caused by NSAID medications taken for a service-connected condition, radiculopathy secondary to a spine condition. These can significantly increase your combined rating.

Aid & Attendance (A&A) is an additional monthly benefit paid on top of VA disability compensation or pension for veterans who need help with daily living activities — bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom, or protecting themselves from hazards. It's not a separate program; it's a supplement to an existing benefit.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: A&A requires documentation that you actually need daily assistance — not just that you have a high rating. A physician's statement describing specific functional limitations (e.g., "veteran cannot safely bathe without assistance") is essential. Saying "I have back pain" isn't enough. What's documented is what the VA will pay for.

Qualification paths: (1) Service-connected disability requiring daily assistance — added to your compensation. (2) Non-service-connected pension with A&A for wartime veterans 65+ with limited income. (3) Nursing home care, or (4) severe visual impairment (5/200 or less).

File VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Aid and Attendance). In 2026, A&A can add $1,200+ per month in additional compensation depending on your situation. Senior care & A&A guide →

The VA has three escalating levels of protection that lock in your disability rating over time. These are some of the most important protections in the entire VA system:

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: Protected status is calculated from the effective date printed on your rating decision letter — not from when your condition started. The clock starts on the date the VA stamped it, not when you felt it. If the effective date on your letter and the date in the VA's system don't match, the system date controls. Find your effective date →

A Fully Developed Claim (FDC) is an expedited claim process where you certify that you've submitted all available evidence upfront — medical records, service treatment records, private doctor opinions, and nexus letters — and you have no additional evidence to submit. In exchange, the VA processes your claim faster, typically in 90–120 days instead of 6+ months.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: You certify under penalty of law that all evidence is submitted. If the VA later finds undisclosed medical records that could affect your rating, your claim can be pulled from the FDC track — losing the speed advantage entirely. If you check that box, every page you have must already be in the file. When in doubt, file a standard claim and submit evidence as it arrives.

The FDC is best when you have all your records in hand: C-File, DD-214, private medical records, nexus letters, DBQs, and buddy statements. If you're still waiting on any of these, a standard claim — protected by an ITF — is the safer path.

Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the single most important document of your military career. It proves: your dates of service, character of discharge, rank at separation, military education, awards and decorations, and the type of separation. Without a DD-214, the VA cannot verify your eligibility for any benefit.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: Every word on your DD-214 matters. If your discharge is listed as "General" when it should be "Honorable," or your deployment dates are wrong, those errors become the permanent record. Request corrections immediately through your service branch's Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) — the VA won't override what your DD-214 says.

You can request a copy through milConnect (online), the National Archives, or via a Standard Form 180. Store multiple certified copies — your county recorder's office can often certify them for free. How to get your DD-214 →

A Buddy Statement (VA Form 21-10210) is a sworn written statement from someone who witnessed your injury, illness, or condition during service — a fellow service member, a family member, or even yourself. It's used when official records are missing, incomplete, or don't tell the full story.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: A buddy statement is supporting evidence, not a replacement for official records. The VA weighs it alongside your medical records and service documents. If the buddy statement conflicts with your STRs, the official records generally carry more weight. Be specific: "I saw SGT Smith fall from the 7-ton on 14 March 2010 at Camp Lejeune" is stronger than "He got hurt once."

A strong buddy statement includes: (1) the full name and contact information of the witness, (2) their relationship to you, (3) the specific date and location of the incident, (4) exactly what they witnessed, and (5) a signed certification that the statement is true. Multiple buddy statements describing the same event are even stronger.

100% Schedular means your combined disability rating — calculated by VA math — reaches 100%. You can work without restriction and still receive full compensation. P&T status may be granted if the VA determines your condition won't improve.

TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) pays at the 100% rate even though your combined rating is below 100% — because your service-connected conditions prevent you from working. However, TDIU has income restrictions: you generally can't earn above the federal poverty threshold ($15,000+ in 2026) from employment.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: If you're TDIU and start working above the poverty threshold, the VA can terminate your TDIU status. But a 100% schedular rating has no work restrictions. If your conditions have worsened or prevented employment, ask your VSO whether TDIU or pursuing a higher schedular rating is the better path. Check your rating options →

You need at least two of these VA-approved identity verification accounts. If one system is down, the other keeps you connected to your benefits. All three are free:

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: If you can't log in, you can't file your claim. Set up Login.gov AND ID.me now — before you need them. The identity verification process can take 2-7 days if manual review is required. DS Logon requires DoD record matching, which may fail if your personnel records contain errors. Setup instructions →

COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) is the annual increase to VA disability compensation, military retirement, and Social Security payments, tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). Congress does not vote on it — it's automatic. For 2026, the COLA is approximately 2.5%, increasing monthly VA disability pay across all rating levels.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The COLA increases your payment automatically — you do not need to file anything. The new rate takes effect on December 1 of each year and appears in your January payment. If your January check doesn't reflect the increase, check your payment history at VA.gov — the system may have lagged, but the correct amount is owed.

COLA also impacts: VA pension rates, DIC payments for survivors, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), and VA education benefit housing allowances. You can see the latest pay tables in our VA Math Decoder →.

Service Treatment Records (STRs) are every medical document created while you were on active duty — sick call visits, hospital stays, physical therapy notes, immunization records, dental records, and annual physicals. These records are the foundation of proving that an injury or illness began during service.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: If you went to sick call but the visit wasn't recorded, or the corpsman scribbled notes that never made it into your file — that visit didn't happen in the VA's eyes. Buddy statements, personal journals, and photographs from service can help fill gaps, but they are supplemental — not replacements for official records. Always request your STRs before filing to see what's actually in them.

STRs are typically held by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) or, for recent veterans, by the VA itself. Request them using Standard Form 180 or through the milConnect portal. Processing currently takes 30–90 days. Request your STRs →

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an additional tax-free payment on top of your regular VA disability compensation — for veterans who have severe disabilities like loss of use of a limb, blindness, the need for daily aid & attendance, or being housebound. SMC levels range from SMC(k) (roughly $130/month for loss of use of a creative organ) to SMC(r2) (over $10,000/month for the most severely disabled).

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: SMC is not automatic — the VA must specifically address it in your rating decision. If you meet the criteria but your rating decision doesn't mention SMC, it wasn't considered. Request a Higher-Level Review or submit a supplemental claim. If the SMC eligibility isn't documented, it didn't happen.

Common SMC qualifiers: SMC(s) for housebound status (100% + 60% additional), SMC(l) for loss/loss of use of a foot/leg/hand/arm, SMC(k) for loss of a creative organ, SMC(t) for traumatic brain injury requiring residential care. Many veterans are under-rated for SMC — ask your VSO to review your file. See your rating →

A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is a federally chartered non-profit that provides free claims assistance through VA-accredited representatives. Major VSOs include the DAV, VFW, American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, and state-level Departments of Veterans Affairs. They are not the VA — they work for you.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: A VSO representative can access the VA's VBMS system to see exactly what the VA sees in your file — but they can only act on what you authorize them to do via VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Representative). Without that signed form, the representation didn't happen in the VA's eyes. Always verify your rep is accredited through the VA OGC Accreditation Search →.

VSOs offer free services including: developing claim strategy, gathering evidence, filing forms, tracking claim status, and representing you at hearings. You can switch VSOs by filing a new VA Form 21-22. Private attorneys and agents also exist — but they charge a fee (typically 20-33% of backpay) and must also be VA-accredited. Find a VSO →

Your Rating Decision Letter (also called a Notification Letter or Award Letter) is the VA's official written decision on your claim. It arrives by mail and is also available in your VA.gov account. Every word matters — this document controls your benefits going forward.

What to check first: (1) The effective date — is it correct? This controls your backpay. (2) Whether P&T status is explicitly stated. (3) The rating percentage for each condition — was any condition denied or under-rated? (4) Any mention of SMC entitlement. (5) The reasons for decision section — this explains what evidence was considered and why the VA made its rating choices.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: If a condition isn't listed, it wasn't decided. If a percentage isn't stated, it wasn't granted. If P&T isn't mentioned, you don't have it. What's printed is what happened. Read every page. Your appeal deadline starts from the date on the letter. How to appeal →

Your Character of Discharge — found on your DD-214 — determines whether the VA considers you a "veteran" for benefits purposes. Honorable and General (Under Honorable Conditions) both qualify. Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable discharges may bar you from VA benefits — but there are exceptions and review processes.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: The VA makes its own character of discharge determination independent of the DoD. Even if the DoD says OTH, the VA can still find you eligible for benefits after a Character of Discharge (COD) review. This review looks at length of service, mental health at time of discharge, and mitigating circumstances. Request it when you file your claim.

Key exceptions: (1) Veterans with other-than-honorable discharges related to PTSD, TBI, or MST may qualify under special rules. (2) You can apply for a discharge upgrade through your service branch's Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) or the DoD Discharge Review Board. (3) A VA COD determination only applies to VA benefits — it does not change your DD-214. Start your claim →

Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) — formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) — is a VA program that helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment. It can pay for college tuition, vocational training, job placement, resume building, and even self-employment planning — separate from and in addition to the GI Bill.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: VR&E eligibility requires: (1) A service-connected disability rating of at least 10% (or a memo rating while your claim is pending), and (2) an employment handicap caused by that disability. The VR&E counselor makes the determination — if your application doesn't clearly show how your disability limits your employment, the handicap didn't happen in the counselor's eyes. Be specific about how your symptoms block you from working.

Pro tip: If you qualify for VR&E, use it before using your GI Bill. VR&E can pay for the same education benefits without using your GI Bill months — and after VR&E, you still have your full GI Bill for later. Apply through eBenefits or with a VSO. Processing takes 1–3 months. Career resources →

VA Disability Compensation is for veterans with a service-connected disability — meaning the condition was caused or aggravated by military service. It is not means-tested; your income and assets don't matter. The amount depends on your disability rating (0-100%).

VA Pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who are 65+ or permanently disabled — but the disability does NOT need to be service-connected. Pension is income-limited: if your countable income exceeds the annual pension limit ($16,000+ for a single veteran in 2026), you won't qualify. Many veterans who don't qualify for disability compensation can still receive pension.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: You can't receive both at the same time — whichever pays more is what you'll get. The VA will award the higher of the two. If you qualify for both, always pursue service-connected compensation first — it's typically higher and has no income limits. Apply using VA Form 21P-527EZ for pension or 21-526EZ for disability compensation. Compare pay rates →

CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) is a comprehensive health insurance program for the spouses and dependent children of veterans who are rated 100% P&T, or who died from a service-connected condition. It's not TRICARE — it's a separate VA-administered program.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: CHAMPVA eligibility is triggered by P&T status, not by having a 100% rating alone. If your rating decision letter doesn't explicitly state "Permanent and Total," your dependents are not eligible for CHAMPVA — even if you're rated 100%. Verify your P&T status before applying for dependent coverage.

What CHAMPVA covers: Inpatient and outpatient care, prescription medications, mental health services, ambulance services, and durable medical equipment. It works like a PPO — you can see any provider who accepts CHAMPVA. There are cost shares and an annual deductible ($50 per person / $100 per family).

Apply through VA Form 10-10d. Note: If your spouse is eligible for both CHAMPVA and TRICARE, TRICARE must be used first. CHAMPVA requires you to enroll in Medicare Part A and B when you become eligible at age 65. VA healthcare info →

Yes — this is called Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP). If you're a military retiree with a 50%+ VA disability rating, you can receive both your full retirement pay AND your full VA disability compensation — no offset. This was phased in over 10 years (2004-2014) and is now fully implemented.

If your VA rating is below 50%, you're generally subject to a dollar-for-dollar offset: every dollar of VA compensation reduces your retirement pay by a dollar. However, VA compensation is tax-free while retirement pay is taxable — so you still benefit even with the offset. Choose the higher after-tax amount.

📋 Factual Integrity Rule: CRDP is automatic — you don't need to apply if you meet the 50%+ threshold. But DFAS and the VA must coordinate. If your retirement pay didn't increase after you received a 50%+ rating, contact DFAS. If your rating is below 50%, every rating increase is still valuable because it increases your tax-free compensation — and gets you closer to the 50% CRDP threshold. Calculate your rating →