Filing a VA disability claim, especially one involving toxic exposure, requires detailed medical evidence and documentation connecting a condition to military service. While many veterans successfully navigate this process, claims are still denied for reasons like insufficient evidence or missing service records, and an attorney experienced in both toxic exposure and VA claims can help veterans build the strongest possible case from the start.
VA compensation pay chart based on the disability rating
If you file for additional claims, it will not affect your right to VA disability compensation or other benefits from the VA you are currently receiving. Veterans and family members can recover compensation from both sources.
10 percent disability rating: $180.42 per month
Asbestos exposure
Asbestos-related lung disease is rated using pulmonary function test results rather than symptoms alone. A 10 percent rating generally applies when FVC (forced vital capacity) falls between 75 and 80 percent of predicted values, or DLCO (diffusion capacity) falls between 66 and 80 percent of predicted value
AFFF/PFAS exposure
Residuals of testicular, prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer can include voiding dysfunction and anemia. The VA grants a 10 percent rating for a daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or awakening to void two times per night. Anemia requiring continuous treatment with high doses of supplements can also support a 10 percent rating.
20 percent disability rating: $356.66 per month
Asbestos exposure
The VA's rating schedule for restrictive lung disease does not include a standalone 20 percent level. Veterans with asbestos-related conditions such as pleural plaques, pleural effusion, or pulmonary fibrosis typically move from the 10 percent to the 30 percent tier as pulmonary function test results decline. A veteran can still reach a combined 20 percent rating if asbestos exposure caused more than one service-connected condition.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
Residuals of prostate, bladder, colon, and rectal cancer can include voiding dysfunction and erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction caused by atrophied testicles on both sides is rated at 20 percent. Urinary frequency with a daytime interval of one to two hours, or awakening three to four times per night, is also rated at 20 percent. Urinary incontinence rated as voiding dysfunction starts at this level as well.
30 percent disability rating: $552.47 per month
Asbestos exposure
A 30 percent rating for asbestos-related lung disease generally applies when FVC falls between 65 and 74 percent of predicted values, or DLCO falls between 56 and 65 percent of predicted values. This tier can apply to asbestosis, pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, or pulmonary fibrosis depending on test results.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
Renal dysfunction, which is most commonly associated with kidney cancer, has a 30 rating percentage if:
- a catheter is needed constantly or intermittently
- albumin is present in urine with either red blood cells or hyaline and granular casts, or slight edema, or hypertension
Residuals of testicular, prostate, and bladder cancer are also rated at 30 percent for urinary retention that requires intermittent or continuous catheterization, or recurrent infections requiring drainage or hospitalization more than twice a year, or continuous intensive management. Multiple sclerosis connected to chemical toxin exposure, including PFAS, receives an automatic minimum rating of 30 percent.
40 percent disability rating: $635.77 per month
Asbestos exposure
You will be assigned a 40% disability rating if you suffer from asbestosis, lung scarring, diffuse pleural thickening, pleural plaques, pleural effusion, or pulmonary fibrosis which is causing you significant distress in your everyday life. To become eligible for disability compensation from the VA, asbestos fiber must be present in your lungs.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
Residuals of prostate, bladder, colon, and rectal cancer are rated at 40 percent for urinary frequency with a daytime voiding interval of less than one hour, or awakening to void five or more times per night. A disability rating of 40 percent qualifies a veteran to receive additional benefits for a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
50 percent disability rating: $905.04 per month
Asbestos exposure
The lung disease rating schedule does not include a separate 50 percent tier. Veterans with worsening asbestosis or pleural disease are evaluated under the 60 percent criteria once pulmonary function test results decline further, and a combined 50 percent rating is possible only alongside another service-connected condition.
The monthly payment for a 50 percent disability rating is $1,132.90. A disability rating of 50 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
At this level, residual conditions from AFFF-related cancers are evaluated case by case. A veteran with combined ratings for more than one residual condition, such as renal dysfunction alongside a separate service-connected disability, can reach this tier under VA's combined rating formula.
60 percent disability rating: $1,435.02 per month
Asbestos exposure
A 60 percent rating for asbestos-related lung disease applies when FVC falls between 50 and 64 percent of predicted values, DLCO falls between 40 and 55 percent of predicted values, or maximum exercise capacity falls between 15 and 20 ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption due to cardiorespiratory limitation. This tier can also apply to lung cancer or mesothelioma once active treatment has ended and residual effects are evaluated.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
Kidney, testicular, pancreatic, bladder, and prostate cancer, along with leukemia, are rated at 100 percent while active and during treatment, regardless of stage. A 60 percent rating can apply after treatment ends, once the VA reevaluates and finds residual effects consistent with this level, such as more advanced renal dysfunction.
The monthly payment for a 60 percent disability rating is $1,435.02. A disability rating of 60 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
70 percent disability rating: $1,808.45 per month
Asbestos exposure
Lung cancer or mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure is rated at 100 percent while active. A 70 percent rating can apply after treatment ends if the VA's reevaluation finds residual lung impairment consistent with this level.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
As with the 60 percent tier, AFFF-linked cancers are rated at 100 percent during active treatment regardless of stage. A 70 percent rating can follow reevaluation if residual effects, such as renal or urinary complications, fall at this level.
The monthly payment for a 70 percent disability rating is $1,808.45. A disability rating of 70 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
80 percent disability rating: $2,102.15 per month
Asbestos exposure
A veteran recovering from asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma may receive an 80 percent rating following reevaluation if pulmonary function or other residual effects fall within this range.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
An 80 percent rating for AFFF-related cancer residuals typically reflects persistent complications such as ongoing edema or albuminuria with reduced kidney function found during the VA's post-treatment reevaluation.
The monthly payment for an 80 percent disability rating is $2,102.15. A disability rating of 80 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
90 percent disability rating: $2,362.30 per month
Asbestos exposure
A 90 percent rating following asbestos-related cancer treatment reflects significant residual impairment identified at the VA's mandatory reevaluation.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
A 90 percent rating for AFFF-related cancer residuals reflects severe complications identified during reevaluation, short of the criteria for a full 100 percent rating.
The monthly payment for a 90 percent disability rating is $2,362.30. A disability rating of 90 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
100 percent disability rating: $3,938.58 per month
Asbestos exposure
Active lung cancer or mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure is rated at 100 percent while the veteran is undergoing treatment, not based on terminal status or pain level. VA regulations allow this rating to continue beyond the end of surgical, radiation, or chemotherapy treatment. Six months after treatment ends, the VA schedules a mandatory examination to determine whether the 100 percent rating continues or the veteran is reevaluated based on residual effects.
AFFF/PFAS exposure
Kidney, testicular, pancreatic, bladder, and prostate cancer, along with leukemia, connected to AFFF and PFAS exposure are rated at 100 percent while active, using the same six month reevaluation process. A veteran who continues to experience severe residual effects, such as requiring regular dialysis, can remain at the 100 percent rating after reevaluation.
The payment for a 100 percent disability rating is $3,938.58 per month. A disability rating of 100 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
Additional VA benefits
Disability compensation
Diseases caused by toxic chemicals or defective products often affect a veteran's daily life in significant ways, and veterans suffering from these conditions are frequently eligible for disability compensation. This tax-free, monthly benefit is based on the veteran's combined disability rating assigned by the VA, which ranges from 0 to 100 percent. The VA combines multiple disability ratings using its own formula rather than simply adding percentages together, so a veteran's final rating may be lower than the sum of their individual ratings. Generally, a higher combined rating results in a larger monthly payment.
Special monthly compensation
Special monthly compensation is an additional tax-free benefit paid to veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities, such as the loss or loss of use of a limb, blindness, deafness, or the need for regular aid and attendance. There are multiple SMC levels, and the amount a veteran receives depends on which level applies to their disability, along with factors such as whether their spouse also requires regular aid and attendance. Veterans can qualify for special monthly compensation regardless of their employment or retirement status.
Dependency and indemnity compensation
The dependents and survivors of veterans whose death was caused by a disease stemming from military toxic exposure or defective products may also be eligible for VA benefits. Dependency and indemnity compensation is generally available if the veteran died from a service-connected condition, or if certain statutory requirements were met before death, such as a qualifying total disability rating for a set period of time. Receiving disability compensation while alive does not automatically qualify a surviving spouse for this benefit. Monthly payment amounts adjust annually and can increase if the survivor requires regular aid and attendance due to their own disability.
VA Healthcare
Meeting the VA's enrollment requirements is generally what a veteran needs to do to qualify for VA health care and access medical services from VA providers. Eligibility is shaped by military service history, discharge status, disability rating, income, exposure to environmental hazards, combat service, and other VA priority categories. Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, or contaminated water may qualify under specific provisions, in addition to the more commonly known categories such as a service-connected disability, low income, or status as a Purple Heart recipient or former prisoner of war.
VA burial benefits
The VA may reimburse eligible survivors for burial and funeral expenses connected to a veteran's death, with the reimbursement amount depending on factors such as whether the death was service-connected and whether the veteran was receiving VA compensation at the time. Separate allowances may also apply for plot or interment costs and transportation in certain situations. If you are seeking this benefit, you must show that you paid for a veteran's burial or funeral, along with documentation connecting the veteran's death to a disease caused by military toxic exposure, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
VA pension
VA pension is a needs-based benefit available to wartime veterans who are age 65 or older, or who are permanently and totally disabled, and who meet the VA's income and net worth limits. Receiving Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income does not by itself qualify a veteran for VA pension, and residing in a nursing home is not an independent qualifying factor on its own.
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits
This VA benefit is available to veterans who are substantially confined to their home because of a permanent disability, or who require regular assistance with daily activities such as feeding, bathing, and dressing. It is also available to veterans residing in a nursing home due to a loss of physical or mental abilities, as well as veterans with significantly limited eyesight. Aid and attendance and housebound benefits are also available to the surviving family members of veterans. A veteran cannot receive both aid and attendance and housebound benefits at the same time, since both are additional pension benefits rather than separate standalone disability benefits.
Key facts
VA denial rate
~75%
100% rating monthly
$3,938.58 (2026)
Filing both claim types
Permitted