VA Form 21-686c — Declaration of Status of Dependents — is the form you file to add or remove a spouse, child, or dependent parent from your VA disability compensation. For veterans rated 30% or higher, every qualifying dependent you add increases your monthly check.
Who Qualifies to Add Dependents?
You must be rated at 30% or higher to receive additional compensation for dependents. Veterans at 10% or 20% receive the same monthly rate regardless of dependents. You can add or remove:
- Spouse (legal or common-law marriage recognized by the state)
- Children under age 18
- Children aged 18–23 enrolled full-time in school (may also need VA Form 21-674)
- Children permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before age 18
- Dependent parents who rely on you financially
How Much More Will You Receive? (2026 Rates)
These amounts reflect 2026 rates following the COLA adjustment effective December 1, 2025.
At 30% Rating
- Veteran alone: $552.47/month
- With spouse: $617.47/month (+$65.00/month)
- Each additional child: approximately +$29/month
At 100% Rating
- Veteran alone: $3,938.58/month
- With spouse: $4,128.58/month (approximately +$190/month)
- With spouse + one child: $4,318.99/month
Use our VA disability rating calculator for a personalized estimate at your rating level.
File Immediately — The VA Pays From the Date They Receive Your Form
The VA does not pay retroactively from the date of your qualifying event. They pay from the date they receive your completed form. If you married in January but filed in October, you lost nine months of additional pay. File as soon as the qualifying event happens.
When to Add a Dependent
- After you get married
- After a child is born or legally adopted
- When a child starts college full-time between ages 18 and 23
- When you first reach a 30% combined rating and already have dependents
- When a parent becomes financially dependent on you
When to Remove a Dependent
You must notify the VA when a dependent no longer qualifies — or face an overpayment debt the VA can collect by withholding future benefits.
- After a divorce or legal separation
- When a child turns 18 and is not enrolled in school
- When a school-age child (18–23) leaves school or graduates
- Death of a dependent
What Documents You Need
For a Spouse
- Certified copy of your current marriage certificate
- Certified copies of divorce decrees from any prior marriages
- Spouse's Social Security number and date of birth
For Children
- Birth certificate for each child
- Social Security number and date of birth
- For school-age children 18–23: proof of full-time enrollment (file VA Form 21-674 alongside 21-686c)
How to Complete and Submit
- Download the form from va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-686c/.
- Complete Section I with your veteran information.
- Check only the sections that apply to your situation.
- Fill in every field for each dependent — partial entries cause delays.
- Gather supporting documents before you submit.
- Sign and date the form.
- Submit online through VA.gov (creates an instant receipt and establishes your effective date immediately).
Next Steps
- VA disability rating calculator — see your monthly pay with dependents added
- VA Form 21-674 guide — required for school-age children 18–23
- VA back pay explainer — understand effective dates
- VA forms hub