Your Hidden Benefits at 0% VA Disability

Many veterans think a 0% disability rating from the VA means “no benefit.”

In reality, that rating is one of the most underestimated advantages a veteran can have.

It is a formal acknowledgment that the VA has connected your condition to military service, even if it is not yet compensable. That single finding opens access to a wide range of benefits, protections, and programs designed to strengthen your post-service opportunities.

A 0% rating means the VA agrees that your injury or illness was caused or aggravated by your service, even if it does not yet meet the threshold for monthly compensation (VA.gov). It is not symbolic. It is legal recognition, and it forms the foundation for nearly every veteran benefit system in existence.

The Benefits You Can Still Access

1. Health Care and Monitoring

Even with a 0% rating, you qualify for VA health care for that specific condition. You can be seen, monitored, and treated at VA facilities, and your ongoing medical record strengthens any future request for an increased rating if the condition worsens (DAV.org). You may also qualify for travel reimbursement through the VA’s Beneficiary Travel Program when attending approved appointments.

2. Home Loans and State Benefits

You remain eligible for the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program regardless of percentage. That means no down payment, competitive interest rates, and no private mortgage insurance (Tucker Disability).

Many states also extend property tax deductions, professional license fee waivers, and education benefits to any veteran with a service-connected rating, including 0%.

3. Federal Hiring and Civil Service Preference

A 0% rating can qualify you for veteran preference in federal hiring and many state and local civil service systems. It formally recognizes you as a service-disabled veteran, which can elevate your standing among otherwise equal candidates (DAV.org).

4. Business Ownership and Federal Contracting

Veterans with a 0% service-connected rating are eligible for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification. Federal law defines “service-disabled” to include any VA-recognized rating from 0% to 100% (DLA.mil).

Once certified, SDVOSBs can compete for set-aside federal contracts, sole-source opportunities, and other business advantages through the Small Business Administration. For veteran entrepreneurs, that certification can open the door to government partnerships and long-term stability.

5. Future Protection and Growth

Once your condition is recognized as service-connected, you can request an increased rating if it worsens or if new secondary conditions develop. The 0% designation locks in that recognition, allowing you to seek higher compensation later without having to re-prove that the condition originated in service.

The Misconception That Hurts Veterans

Federal contracts educator Steven Koprince recently addressed a common misunderstanding:

“A veteran need not have a compensable disability rating to qualify as service-disabled for SDVOSB purposes. Contrary to a common misconception, any disability rating, even 0%, will suffice.” (LinkedIn Post)

This misconception leads many veterans to avoid pursuing benefits or business certification, believing their 0% rating “doesn’t count.” That misunderstanding limits access to federal contracting opportunities, business development programs, and state-level benefits that are rightfully available to them.

The Bottom Line

A 0% disability rating is a verified acknowledgment by the VA that your condition is connected to your military service.

That single fact opens access to health care, employment programs, homeownership benefits, business certification, and future compensation if your condition progresses.

0% is not nothing (is this double negative? You get what we are saying). It is the beginning of everything.

If you hold a 0% rating, take advantage of it. Register your business through the SDVOSB program (SBA.gov), apply for a VA home loan, and verify that your state recognizes your service connection for tax and licensing purposes.

Your service counts. Your rating matters. Use it.

Brandon Michael Barron, J.D. is the Founder and National Commander of Combat Veterans of America (CVA), a national 501(c)(19) organization committed to modernizing how veterans serve and lead after service. A U.S. Army National Guard veteran, Barron writes on veterans’ disability & leadership.

The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or policies of Combat Veterans of America.