If a veteran is receiving VA disability compensation and has a combined schedular rating of at least 30 percent, VA may pay an additional monthly amount if the veteran's spouse requires the regular aid and attendance of another person. This is authorized under 38 CFR 3.351 and is added to the veteran's own compensation payment; it is not a separate benefit paid directly to the spouse. To qualify, the spouse generally must be so helpless as to need assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, or protecting themselves from the hazards of daily living, or must be blind or nearly blind. A severe bilateral upper and lower extremity amputation, as described in this situation, would very likely meet that threshold, since basic self-care would be extremely difficult or impossible without help.
To apply, the veteran typically submits a statement from a physician documenting the spouse's need for aid and attendance, describing the specific limitations and why regular assistance is required. This can be submitted along with VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance), or through a written statement in support of claim if the veteran already has an open or existing compensation award. If the veteran is not currently rated at least 30 percent, this specific spousal aid and attendance addition does not apply, though the veteran may still want to explore whether their own conditions warrant a higher rating.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Separately, if the veteran is rated 100 percent permanent and total, the spouse may be eligible for CHAMPVA, which is a health benefits program that can help cover some medical costs, equipment, and ongoing care needs, which could be significant given bilateral limb loss. CHAMPVA eligibility and coverage rules are distinct from the aid and attendance compensation increase, so both avenues are worth checking.
Outcomes and processing depend heavily on the veteran's current rating percentage, medical documentation, and VA's review of the physician's statement, so there is no fixed dollar amount or timeline that applies to every case.
The concrete next step is for the veteran to obtain a detailed physician's statement (or complete VA Form 21-2680) documenting the spouse's need for aid and attendance and submit it to VA, while also confirming CHAMPVA eligibility based on the veteran's current disability rating.
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