What is the VA 10 year rule?

The VA 10-Year Rule protects a veteran's service-connected disability rating from being terminated after it's been in place for at least 10 years, making it difficult for the VA to remove the service connection entirely unless fraud is involved. While the VA can't easily end the service connection, they can potentially reduce the rating if there's strong medical evidence of significant improvement, but this rule prevents outright removal of benefits for that condition after a decade of consistent service connection.

Is my VA disability permanent after 10 years?

The VA's 10-year rule ensures that the VA cannot terminate service connection for a disability that has been in place for ten years. The VA may still reduce the rating for the service connected condition but the VA cannot sever service connection.

What is the 55 year rule for VA disability?

The VA disability age 55 rule protects veterans from routine reexaminations and potential rating reductions once they reach age 55, recognizing that disabilities are less likely to improve with age, providing stability for their compensation; however, it doesn't prevent reevaluations if a condition significantly improves, if fraud is suspected, or for specific conditions like certain cancers, with the VA retaining the right to review under specific circumstances. 

What is the VA 100% 10 year rule?

The VA disability 10-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot eliminate a disability rating that has been in place for at least 10 years unless there is evidence of fraud. This 10-year period is calculated from the effective date of VA's original grant for service connection.

What changes are coming to VA disability in 2025?

Under legislation known as the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, cost-of-living increases for disability and survivor benefits will now automatically match Social Security every year without separate votes. That change began Dec. 1 and stops benefits from lagging behind inflation.

VA Disability 10-Year Rule Explained

Can veterans get 200% disability?

No, you can't get 200 percent VA disability. Generally, the maximum VA disability benefit occurs with a 100 percent VA rating. However, VA SMC benefits can far exceed that depending on the unique circumstances of a veteran.

Are VA benefits going to change in 2026?

The main change for VA benefits in 2026 is a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), effective December 1, 2025, increasing disability compensation, DIC, and SMC payments to combat inflation, with no action needed by veterans as the raise is automatic, resulting in higher monthly amounts for most beneficiaries. Key updates include higher dollar amounts for all disability ratings (e.g., 100% rating goes from ~$3,737 to ~$3,841 monthly) and increased allowances for dependents, affecting payments starting January 2026.
 

Can the VA take my 100% permanent and total disability?

Can the VA Take Away TDIU or P&T? The possibility of losing a TDIU or P&T determination is a financial nightmare for many disabled veterans. Though it does so only rarely, the VA can take away 100 percent permanent and total disability status under certain conditions.

How often does the VA reevaluate disability?

The VA typically reevaluates disability ratings every 2 to 5 years for conditions that aren't permanent, with the exact timing noted in your initial decision, but they can also review ratings sooner if new evidence shows significant improvement or if you request a review; some conditions are considered "static" and may not need reevaluation, while others, like cancer, get reevaluated based on their active/remission status. 

What is the 2026 Cola for VA disability?

The 2026 VA Disability Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%, effective December 1, 2025, meaning most veterans saw their payments increase starting with their January 2026 check, reflecting higher inflation. This increase applies automatically to VA disability, TDIU, DIC, and other benefits, increasing the dollar amount at each rating level, with higher ratings getting larger dollar increases, according to the VA.
 

Does VA disability go away when you turn 65?

No, regular VA disability compensation payments do not stop at age 65 and continue for life at the same rate, but some proposals suggest reducing Individual Unemployability (IU) payments around Social Security's full retirement age (currently 67), though these are not guaranteed to pass, and existing beneficiaries are often protected; you will continue receiving your disability payments as long scarcity and age do not impact your service-connected conditions or if you meet specific older age criteria for benefits. 

Do veterans get free iPads with the VA?

The VA program gives qualifying veterans cellular-enabled iPads to access telehealth services; it currently helps more than 50,000 vets across the country virtually connect to VA health care services. It has recently been expanded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do 100% disabled veterans get free dental?

If you are a 100 percent permanent and total disabled Veteran or service-connected for a dental condition, there is free dental care at a Federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Health Care System. Information is also available on the USDVA dental assistance website.

What is the largest VA back pay ever?

While there's no official "largest ever" record, some of the biggest VA back pays involve hundreds of thousands of dollars for long-denied claims, with Korean War veteran Thomas Nielson receiving over $720,000 (including $663,000 in back pay) after appealing for decades, and other reported cases exceeding $500,000 for extended periods of delayed benefits. These massive sums result from high disability ratings combined with long delays, often spanning decades, before approval, with the effective date being crucial for calculating the large lump sum. 

Can you be 100% but not P&T?

While uncommon, sometimes raters overlook a grant of P&T. Whenever you are 100% combined and your conditions are static, but P&T was NOT awarded, the VA will automatically establish an audit (usually within 2 weeks of the rating decision).

Is VA disability paid for life?

VA disability can last a lifetime, especially if you have a Permanent and Total (P&T) rating or meet specific protections like the 20-Year Rule, but it's not automatic; conditions are often reviewed, and benefits can be reduced or stopped if a disability improves or was granted through fraud, with P&T being for life unless proven otherwise. 

Is the VA disability going to change in 2025?

2025 VA disability pay rates, which are effective December 1, 2024, have a confirmed year over year increase of 2.5% based on the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announced by the social security administration on October 10, 2024.

How much do 100% disabled veterans get paid a month?

Veterans with a 100% VA disability rating receive a standard monthly pay of $3,737.85, which increases if they have dependents. Additional compensation is available for dependent children, a spouse with Aid and Attendance needs, or other dependent family members.

What will trigger a VA review of disability claims?

What Can Trigger a Review Outside the Routine Schedule? The VA may conduct a review of a veteran's disability rating under various circumstances, such as: The VA receives new medical evidence indicating that the veteran's condition has improved.

Can the VA take your disability if you make too much money?

VA benefits do not work like this. Currently, all VA benefits do not undergo any sort of means testing. In other words, regardless of income, your benefit will not change.

What is the difference between 100% VA disability and 100% P&T?

A 100% rating means maximum disability pay, while 100% P&T (Permanent & Total) means maximum pay plus eligibility for significant extra benefits like state tax exemptions, free car registration, and aid for dependents (spouse/children), because the VA deems the conditions unlikely to improve, whereas a regular 100% rating can still have routine future exams (RFEs) for potential reduction. The key is permanence; P&T requires static conditions adding up, preventing future reevaluations, offering greater security.
 

Do 100% disabled veterans fly for free?

Veterans who are rated by the VA as permanently and totally disabled can travel Space-A (space available) on military aircraft for free.

Is there a VA disability increase for 2025?

Veterans who rely on monthly disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will see a modest financial boost in 2025, thanks to a 2.5% cost-of-living increase in their payments.

How much will 100% VA disability increase in 2025?

The 2025 adjustment means VA disability checks will go up about $4.28 per month for those with a 10% rating and $93.45 for those rated at 100% who don't have dependents. Learn more about VA disability ratings with our VA compensation calculator at dav.org/disability-calculator.