STATE GUIDE

Tennessee · Disability

Disability benefits in Tennessee

Based on Federal VA regulations and Tennessee 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, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services

Federal VA disability compensation amounts are set by Congress and are the same in every state. Tennessee publishes additional programs that may supplement what eligible veterans receive from the federal government. Verify current rules with the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (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 Tennessee: 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.

Tennessee disability-related programs

These programs are administered by Tennessee, 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

Tennessee may reimburse property taxes paid on a primary residence for eligible disabled veterans through the Property Tax Relief Program; assessed-value and income thresholds are set annually.

Read the rule

Vehicle registration and disabled-veteran plates

Tennessee may issue Disabled Veteran license plates and waive certain registration fees for qualifying veterans through the Department of Revenue.

Read the rule

Other Tennessee-published programs

Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans. Tennessee’s Property Tax Relief Program may reimburse property tax paid on a primary residence for eligible disabled veterans and surviving spouses. The program has assessed-value and income thresholds set annually. Source (opens in new tab).
No State Income Tax on Wages. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages (the Hall income tax on investment income was repealed effective 2021). VA disability compensation is already federally tax-exempt; the state posture means no additional layer applies. Source (opens in new tab).
State Veterans Cemeteries. Tennessee operates five State Veterans Cemeteries offering burial and committal services to eligible veterans and dependents at no cost beyond federal VA standards. Eligibility follows federal National Cemetery rules. Source (opens in new tab).
Veteran Designation on Tennessee Driver License. Tennessee driver licenses and state ID cards may include a "VETERAN" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Source (opens in new tab).

Where to get free, accredited help in Tennessee

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

VA OGC accredited representative search (TN) (opens in new tab): the official federal directory.
Tennessee CVSO / VSO directory (opens in new tab): published by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services.
Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (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)

Tennessee disability-related programs

Property tax exemption

Tennessee may reimburse property taxes paid on a primary residence for eligible disabled veterans through the Property Tax Relief Program; assessed-value and income thresholds are set annually.

Read the rule

Vehicle registration and disabled-veteran plates

Tennessee may issue Disabled Veteran license plates and waive certain registration fees for qualifying veterans through the Department of Revenue.

Read the rule

Other Tennessee-published programs

Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans. Tennessee’s Property Tax Relief Program may reimburse property tax paid on a primary residence for eligible disabled veterans and surviving spouses. The program has assessed-value and income thresholds set annually. Source (opens in new tab).
No State Income Tax on Wages. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages (the Hall income tax on investment income was repealed effective 2021). VA disability compensation is already federally tax-exempt; the state posture means no additional layer applies. Source (opens in new tab).
State Veterans Cemeteries. Tennessee operates five State Veterans Cemeteries offering burial and committal services to eligible veterans and dependents at no cost beyond federal VA standards. Eligibility follows federal National Cemetery rules. Source (opens in new tab).
Veteran Designation on Tennessee Driver License. Tennessee driver licenses and state ID cards may include a "VETERAN" designation at no additional fee with DD-214 verification through the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Source (opens in new tab).

Where to get free, accredited help in Tennessee