If your combined VA disability rating is 30 percent or higher, you are eligible for additional compensation for your dependents. Eligible dependents include your spouse, unmarried children under 18, children between 18 and 23 who are attending school full-time, permanently disabled adult children who became disabled before age 18, and in some cases, dependent parents. The additional amount varies based on your rating level and the type of dependent. A veteran with a 100 percent rating receives significantly more additional compensation per dependent than a veteran at 30 percent. To add dependents, you must submit the appropriate forms to VA along with supporting documentation. For a spouse, you need a marriage certificate. For children, you need birth certificates. For school-age children over 18, you need enrollment verification. For dependent parents, you must demonstrate that the parent is actually dependent on you for financial support. Report changes in dependent status promptly. If a child turns 18 and is not in school, or if you get divorced, you must notify VA. Failure to report changes can result in overpayments that VA will recover from future benefits. You can manage your dependents through your VA online account or by submitting paper forms.
Note: This article references sections of the VA's M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual. The VA periodically reorganizes the M21-1 and section numbers may have changed since this article was written. For the most current section references, visit the VA's public M21-1 Web Automated Reference Material System (WARMS).