A 70% VA disability rating means that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined that your service-connected conditions cause significant impairment in areas such as work, daily activities, or social functioning. This rating may allow you to receive tax-free monthly compensation and other benefits.
If you believe you have a case for receiving a VA Disability rating of 70%, but Veterans Affairs has denied your request for benefits at this level, you may have grounds for appealing the initial decision regarding your claim.
At this point, meet with a Veterans Affairs Disability benefits claims lawyer. This is an opportunity to review your legal options with an attorney who will handle your case with care. If warranted, your lawyer may represent and advocate for you as part of an appeal of the VA’s original claim decision.
Why Will the VA Give You a 70 Percent Disability Rating?
Veterans Affairs will typically assign you a 70% disability rating if your service-connected condition impacts your ability to work, handle everyday tasks, and maintain a social life, but it does not meet the total impairment criteria for a 100% rating.
Below are some of the reasons why you could receive a 70% disability rating from the VA:
- Significant functional impairment. The VA could give you this rating if you have been diagnosed with anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions that significantly disrupt your work, school, and family relations.
- Severe physical condition. You could receive this rating if you are dealing with serious orthopedic limitations or chronic neurological impairments.
- VA math combination. If you are coping with multiple conditions, the VA will look at your combined disability rating and may round it up to 70% under its combined ratings rule.
Of course, if you’ve received a 70% disability rating but believe you may be eligible for 100%, now may be a good time to seek legal guidance and support. In this scenario, a VA Disability benefits claims attorney can examine the specifics of your situation.
Depending on your circumstances, they may help you take the appropriate steps toward getting a 100% VA rating.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
Benefits of a 70 Percent VA Disability Rating
If you’re unsure of what it means if you have a 70% VA disability rating, it can be beneficial to discuss your rating with a Veterans Disability lawyer.
From here, your attorney may provide you with insights into the potential benefits of being assigned a 70% VA disability rating, such as:
- Monthly compensation. Based on the VA’s Veterans Disability compensation rates for 2026, as a single veteran with a 70% disability rating, you could receive around $1,800 per month. This figure may increase if you have dependents.
- Comprehensive healthcare. At this rating level, you are generally placed in Priority Group 1. In this group, you could receive comprehensive VA healthcare and prescription medications for both your service-connected and non-service-connected conditions, often with no out-of-pocket costs for VA healthcare or prescriptions.
- Long-term care. You may qualify for VA-supported long-term care services.
- Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). If your 70% rating prevents you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for compensation at the 100% rate.
Remember, if you have been assigned a VA disability rating below 70% and would like to see if Veterans Affairs will raise your rating to 70% or higher, you may pursue legal help. Speak with Veterans Disability attorneys, and they may be able to help you contest your current VA disability rating.
What It Means to Appeal to Try to Get a VA Disability Rating of 70 Percent or Higher
Those who want information about what it means to have a VA disability of 70% and file an appeal should consult with Veterans Disability lawyers. At this time, you can share questions you have about the VA Disability appeal success rate and other topics relating to your case with your attorney.
Plus, your lawyer may explain your options for appealing, which are:
- Supplemental claim: You may submit new, relevant medical evidence or buddy letters to help prove that your condition is more severe than your current disability rating reflects.
- Higher-level review: A senior reviewer from the VA can look at the evidence that’s already in your file to see if any mistakes were made in the first decision regarding your disability rating. You may not submit new evidence for this review.
- Board appeal: You may appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and have a veterans law judge review your case.
In most cases, you have one year from the date the VA provides you with your disability rating to appeal. It could be months or years from the date you file your appeal to receive the VA’s decision on it.
The Bottom Line on What It Can Mean to Have a 70 Percent VA Disability
Having a 70% VA disability may entitle you to various Veterans Affairs benefits. Yet, it can be difficult to obtain a 70% VA disability rating. But, in some instances, if you feel your VA disability rating is lower than it should be, or if the VA denies your benefits request, you may be able to appeal.
Marc Whitehead & Associates has a team in place with 120 years of combined experience. If you want to learn more about what a 70% VA disability means or other Veterans Disability claim topics, we’re here for you.
If you’re a veteran who’s dealing with a service-connected disability, we encourage you to reach out to us for more information. Contact us today to get started.
Call or text (800) 562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form