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The Veteran Benefit Desk™
Education · Benefits beyond the rating

VA Health Care Priority Groups: Where Your Disability Rating Places You

Quick summary
VA sorts health care enrollment into 8 priority groups, and your service connected rating is a major factor. Here is what each group means, why a 50 percent or higher rating lands you in Priority Group 1 with no copays for care, and how the PACT Act expanded eligibility.
What this guide covers
  • Your rating helps decide your health care priority group
  • The eight priority groups, in brief
  • What the group affects
  • How to enroll
  • Sources
By the editorial deskUpdated Jul 5, 2026Sources verified Jul 5, 2026

Many veterans think of their rating only as a monthly amount. The same number quietly sorts them into a VA health care priority group: 50 percent or TDIU lands in Group 1 with no copays for most care, 30 or 40 percent in Group 2, and even a 0 percent compensable rating changes the placement. The rating decision and the health care card are two payouts from the same finding.

Your rating helps decide your health care priority group

VA health care enrollment sorts veterans into eight priority groups. Your group affects whether you pay copays and how quickly you can enroll. A service connected disability rating is one of the biggest factors, so understanding the groups helps you know what your rating unlocks on the health care side, separate from your monthly compensation.

The eight priority groups, in brief

  • Priority Group 1: veterans with a service connected rating of 50 percent or more, or rated totally disabled due to individual unemployability. Care for any condition generally comes with no copays.
  • Priority Group 2: veterans with a service connected rating of 30 or 40 percent.
  • Priority Group 3: veterans with a rating of 10 or 20 percent, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart or Medal of Honor recipients, and certain others.
  • Priority Group 4: veterans receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits, or who are catastrophically disabled.
  • Priority Group 5: nonservice connected veterans and noncompensable 0 percent veterans below the income limits, and those receiving VA pension.
  • Priority Group 6: veterans with certain exposures and 0 percent compensable service connected conditions, including many covered by the PACT Act.
  • Priority Group 7: veterans with income above the national limit but below the geographic limit, who agree to copays.
  • Priority Group 8: veterans with income above both limits, who agree to copays.

What the group affects

The higher your priority group, the lower your costs and the broader your access. Veterans in Group 1 generally owe no copays for care or medications connected to service. Lower groups may owe copays that vary by service, which VA publishes in its copay rate tables. Care for a service connected condition is generally free regardless of group.

How to enroll

Apply for VA health care online, by phone, by mail, or in person. VA assigns your group based on your disability rating, income, and any special eligibility such as a recent combat deployment or a PACT Act related exposure. The PACT Act expanded eligibility for many veterans, so it is worth re-checking even if you were turned down years ago.

This is educational. It is not legal advice. VA assigns priority groups; this guide explains how the system works.

Sources

  • VA, VA health care eligibility and priority groups
  • VA, VA health care eligibility
  • VA, VA health care copay rates
  • VA, About VA disability ratings

Related on this site

Common questions

What are VA health care priority groups?

VA sorts enrolled veterans into eight priority groups that affect enrollment speed and copays. Your service connected rating is one of the biggest factors: 50 percent or higher (or TDIU) places you in Group 1, 30 or 40 percent in Group 2, and 10 or 20 percent in Group 3 alongside former prisoners of war and Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients.

Which priority group pays no copays?

Veterans in Priority Group 1 generally owe no copays for care or medications. In every group, care for a service connected condition is generally free; lower groups may owe copays for other care, at rates VA publishes in its copay tables.

What if I have a 0 percent rating or no rating at all?

Group 5 covers nonservice connected and noncompensable 0 percent veterans below the income limits and those on VA pension. Group 6 covers certain exposures and 0 percent compensable conditions, including many veterans covered by the PACT Act. Groups 7 and 8 cover veterans above the income limits who agree to copays.

Should I reapply if VA health care turned me down before?

Yes, it is worth rechecking. The PACT Act expanded eligibility for many veterans, especially those with toxic exposures, and VA assigns your group from your current rating, income, and special eligibility factors such as a recent combat deployment. Apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person.

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For questions about your specific ratings or decision, contact your Veterans Service Officer (VSO), an accredited claims agent, or an accredited attorney. Browse the accredited representative directory or verify a representative's accreditation before sharing your records.
This is an educational estimate and not a guarantee of benefits, ratings, or back pay. VA makes all final determinations. We are not a law firm, VSO, accredited claims agent, or VA representative. We provide educational information only and encourage veterans to seek accredited help for individual claim advice. The Veteran Benefit Desk™ is a veteran founded independent digital publication and education platform that helps veterans understand VA disability claims, ratings, evidence, and appeals using clear explanations, original research, and cited public sources.
Printed from The Veteran Benefit Desk - https://veteranbenefitdesk.com/education/va-health-care-priority-groups-explained. Figures reflect this page as published. Rates change each December; confirm current amounts at veteranbenefitdesk.com before relying on them.
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