STATE GUIDE

North Carolina · Disability

Disability benefits in North Carolina

Based on Federal VA regulations and North Carolina state-published veteran benefits. This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).

Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 · Next review: 2026-10-18

Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.

Primary sources: 38 CFR Part 4, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Federal VA disability compensation amounts are set by Congress and are the same in every state. North Carolina publishes additional programs that may supplement what eligible veterans receive from the federal government. Verify current rules with the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (opens in new tab) before relying on this page for filing decisions.

Federal disability compensation (same in every state)

The VA may rate service-connected disabilities under 38 CFR Part 4 and pay monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1110 (wartime) or § 1131 (peacetime). The combined-rating estimator computes an estimated monthly amount under 38 CFR § 4.25 if you have one or more rated conditions.

Combined Rating Estimator: estimate your overall rating under 38 CFR § 4.25.
2026 VA Compensation Rates: current monthly rate tables.
How to File a Disability Claim: federal claim walkthrough.

Reported VA processing-time medians for North Carolina: initial claims approximately 150 days; approximately 365 days for Higher-Level Review. Medians do not predict any individual claim’s timeline. Retrieved 2026-04-25 from VA processing-times publication.

North Carolina disability-related programs

These programs are administered by North Carolina, not by the federal VA. Eligibility, application processes, and benefit amounts are set by the state and may change. Each item links to the authoritative source.

Property tax exemption

North Carolina may exclude the first $45,000 of assessed value on a primary residence for honorably discharged veterans rated 100% service-connected.

Read the rule

Vehicle registration and disabled-veteran plates

North Carolina may waive certain registration fees for disabled veterans and issue Disabled Veteran plates through the NC DMV.

Read the rule

Other North Carolina-published programs

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exclusion. North Carolina excludes the first $45,000 of assessed value on a primary residence for honorably discharged veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, or who receive VA benefits for a specially adapted housing grant. Surviving spouses may continue the exclusion under conditions. Source (opens in new tab).
Scholarships for Children of Wartime Veterans. NC offers scholarships to children of deceased or disabled wartime veterans for use at approved NC schools. Eligibility tiers depend on the parent’s service and disability status. Source (opens in new tab).
State Employment Veterans’ Preference. North Carolina law grants preference to eligible veterans in state government hiring. Additional preference applies to veterans with a service-connected disability and to certain family members. Source (opens in new tab).
Veteran Designation on NC Driver License. NC driver licenses may display a "VETERAN" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles. Source (opens in new tab).

Where to get free, accredited help in North Carolina

Many North Carolina counties staff a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) who may file federal and state veteran claims at no cost. The North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs typically maintains a current directory.

VA OGC accredited representative search (NC) (opens in new tab): the official federal directory.
North Carolina CVSO / VSO directory (opens in new tab): published by the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (opens in new tab): state-level eligibility, application forms, and appeal procedures.

By the Veterans Benefits Navigator teamLast reviewed 2026-04-18

Federal disability compensation (same in every state)

North Carolina disability-related programs

Property tax exemption

North Carolina may exclude the first $45,000 of assessed value on a primary residence for honorably discharged veterans rated 100% service-connected.

Read the rule

Vehicle registration and disabled-veteran plates

North Carolina may waive certain registration fees for disabled veterans and issue Disabled Veteran plates through the NC DMV.

Read the rule

Other North Carolina-published programs

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exclusion. North Carolina excludes the first $45,000 of assessed value on a primary residence for honorably discharged veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, or who receive VA benefits for a specially adapted housing grant. Surviving spouses may continue the exclusion under conditions. Source (opens in new tab).
Scholarships for Children of Wartime Veterans. NC offers scholarships to children of deceased or disabled wartime veterans for use at approved NC schools. Eligibility tiers depend on the parent’s service and disability status. Source (opens in new tab).
State Employment Veterans’ Preference. North Carolina law grants preference to eligible veterans in state government hiring. Additional preference applies to veterans with a service-connected disability and to certain family members. Source (opens in new tab).
Veteran Designation on NC Driver License. NC driver licenses may display a "VETERAN" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles. Source (opens in new tab).

Where to get free, accredited help in North Carolina