A disabled veteran with a 100% rating is considered totally disabled and is eligible for the highest compensation rates and a range of benefits, including free healthcare for service-connected conditions. This rating can be achieved in two primary ways: having a single service-connected disability that rates as 100% disabling or a combined rating from multiple conditions that adds up to 100%. Alternatively, a veteran with a lower combined rating can be granted the 100% compensation rate through Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if their service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment. 

How a 100% disability rating is determined 

• Schedular rating: The VA combines the ratings for each service-connected condition using a specific formula. If the final combined percentage is 100%, the veteran is considered totally disabled. 
• Individual Unemployability (TDIU): This applies to veterans who cannot work because of their service-connected disabilities, even if their combined rating is less than 100%.
  • To qualify, a veteran generally needs at least one disability rated at 60% or higher, or multiple disabilities with a combined rating of at least 70%, with one condition rated at 40% or more. 
  • The veteran must submit a claim (VA Form 21-8940) with evidence that their disabilities prevent them from holding a job. 

Benefits for 100% disabled veterans 

• Highest monthly compensation: Veterans receive the maximum basic monthly compensation rate for their situation, with additional amounts for dependents. 
• Priority Group 1 VA healthcare: Veterans are in the highest priority group for healthcare, and copayments for inpatient and outpatient care are often waived for service-connected conditions. 
• Other benefits:
  • Additional compensation for dependents
  • Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) 
  • Waiver of the VA funding fee for a home loan
  • 10-point veteran preference in federal hiring
  • Access to vocational rehabilitation services
  • Burial and plot allowance
  • CHAMPVA (for eligible family members)
  • Dental care
• 
  Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a tax-free monthly benefit for military retirees that helps offset disability compensation payments that reduce their retired pay. To be eligible, a service member must be retired, have a combat-related disability rating of at least 10%, and have had their military retirement pay reduced due to receiving VA disability payments. Combat-related disabilities are those incurred from armed conflict, hazardous service, conditions simulating war, or an “instrumentality of war”. 
  Eligibility requirements 
  Service member status: Must be a military retiree receiving (or entitled to receive) retired pay. 
  Disability: Must have a combat-related disability, and the VA disability rating must be at least 10%. 
  Pay offset: Must be having military retired pay reduced because of VA disability compensation. 
  Types of combat-related disabilities 
  Armed Conflict (AC): Injuries directly resulting from war, battle, or other hostile actions. 
  Hazardous Service (HS): Injuries from dangerous duties such as aerial flight, parachute duty, demolition duty, or diving duty. 
  Conditions Simulating War (SW): Disabilities from training activities like war games, tactical exercises, or live fire weapons practice. 
  Instrumentality of War (IN): Injuries from using military-specific vehicles, vessels, or devices as intended, such as exposure to radiation from military equipment or injuries from an exploding ordnance. 
  How to apply 
  Complete the application form: 
  Use the application form available from your service’s CRSC website. 
  Gather supporting documents: 
  Include a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) and any other required documentation. 
  Submit the application: 
  Send the completed form and documents to the CRSC office for your branch of service. 
  Wait for a decision: 
  Your branch of service will make a determination and notify you. If approved, they will send the award letter to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). 
  Key things to know 
  You cannot receive both CRSC and Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) at the same time. You must choose which benefit to receive. 
  Retroactive payments may be available if the audit determines you are owed back pay. 
  If you are not receiving retired pay, your payment will be deposited into the same account used for your VA pay.