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It’s official: VA Disability Pay Rates are increasing by 2.8% for 2026.
The Social Security Administration confirmed a 2.8% COLA on October 24, 2025.
By law, VA compensation mirrors the SSA’s COLA, so your new 2026 VA pay rates take effect December 1, 2025 and are payable starting January 1, 2026.
Use the 2026 VA Disability Pay Chart below to see your updated monthly, tax-free amount by VA rating percentage and dependent status, and check the 2026 VA Disability Payment Schedule to know exactly when the new deposit hits your bank account each month.
Table of Contents
2026 VA Disability Rates & Pay Chart (Without Children)
| VA Rating | Veteran Alone | Veteran & Spouse | Veteran, Spouse, & One Parent | Veteran, Spouse, & Two Parents | Veteran & One Parent | Veteran & Two Parents | Additional for A/A Spouses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $3,938.57 | $4,158.16 | $4,334.41 | $4,510.65 | $4,114.81 | $4,291.06 | $201.40 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.34 | $2,717.40 | $2,875.45 | $2,520.36 | $2,678.41 | $181.24 |
| 80% | $2,102.14 | $2,277.06 | $2,417.20 | $2,557.34 | $2,242.28 | $2,382.43 | $161.22 |
| 70% | $1,808.44 | $1,961.23 | $2,084.51 | $2,207.80 | $1,931.73 | $2,055.01 | $141.20 |
| 60% | $1,435.01 | $1,566.73 | $1,672.10 | $1,777.47 | $1,540.38 | $1,645.75 | $120.12 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,242.48 | $1,329.94 | $1,417.40 | $1,220.35 | $1,307.81 | $100.10 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $883.30 | $952.84 | $1,022.38 | $865.38 | $934.93 | $80.08 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.79 | $670.48 | $723.16 | $605.15 | $657.84 | $60.06 |
Note: Veterans with VA ratings of 10% or 20% do not receive additional compensation for dependents.
- 10% VA Rating = $180.42
- 20% VA Rating = $356.66
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2026 VA Disability Rates & Pay Chart (With Children)
| VA Rating | Veteran & Child | Veteran, Spouse, & Child | Veteran, Spouse, Child, & One Parent | Veteran, Spouse, Child, & Two Parents | Veteran, Child, & One Parent | Veteran, Child, & Two Parents | Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $4,085.43 | $4,318.98 | $4,495.22 | $4,671.46 | $4,261.67 | $4,437.91 | $109.11 | $352.45 |
| 90% | $2,494.01 | $2,703.70 | $2,861.75 | $3,019.81 | $2,652.07 | $2,810.12 | $97.99 | $317.16 |
| 80% | $2,219.10 | $2,405.61 | $2,545.75 | $2,685.89 | $2,359.24 | $2,499.39 | $86.40 | $281.34 |
| 70% | $1,910.65 | $2,073.98 | $2,197.26 | $2,320.54 | $2,033.94 | $2,157.22 | $75.87 | $246.57 |
| 60% | $1,522.47 | $1,662.61 | $1,767.98 | $1,873.35 | $1,627.84 | $1,733.21 | $65.33 | $120.12 |
| 50% | $1,205.60 | $1,322.56 | $1,410.02 | $1,497.48 | $1,293.06 | $1,380.52 | $53.74 | $100.10 |
| 40% | $853.79 | $947.57 | $1,017.12 | $1,086.66 | $923.34 | $992.88 | $43.20 | $80.08 |
| 30% | $595.67 | $666.27 | $718.95 | $771.64 | $648.35 | $701.04 | $32.66 | $60.06 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Official 2026 VA Disability Pay Increase?
The official 2026 VA disability pay increase is 2.8%, based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
This COLA bump ensures your monthly, tax-free VA compensation keeps pace with inflation and rising living costs.
When Will Disabled Veterans See the 2026 VA Pay Raise?
The 2026 VA disability pay raise takes effect on December 1, 2025, and will appear in your January 1, 2026 VA disability payment.
This has been the standard schedule for annual VA COLA adjustments.
How Much More Money Is That?
To calculate your increase, multiply your current monthly payment by 1.028 (2.8% COLA boost for 2026).
- $1,000 → $1,028 (+$28)
- $2,000 → $2,056 (+$56)
- $3,000 → $3,084 (+$84)
- $4,000 → $4,112 (+$112)
Your actual increase depends on your disability rating percentage and whether you receive additional benefits for dependents.
Who Gets the 2026 COLA Increase?
All veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher automatically receive the 2026 COLA increase.
The 2.8% COLA bump applies to:
- VA Disability Compensation
- VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- VA Clothing Allowance
How Does the VA Determine My Disability Rating?
The VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) assigns ratings from 0% to 100% in 10% increments.
Your rating is based on:
- The severity of your symptoms
- How your conditions negatively impact work, life, and social functioning
If you have multiple conditions, the VA uses “VA math” to combine them into a single combined disability rating.
Use our free VA disability calculator to quickly calculate your combined rating and monthly pay.
Can I File for a VA Disability Rating Increase?
Yes!
If your service-connected conditions have worsened or you’ve obtained new medical evidence, you can file for a VA rating increase anytime at VA.gov.
While COLA raises are helpful, securing the correct disability rating can have a far greater impact on your monthly compensation.
Filing for a VA disability increase could have a much larger impact on your monthly compensation than COLA adjustments alone.
Is VA Disability Pay Taxed?
No.
VA disability compensation is 100% tax-free at both the federal and state level.
You keep every dollar of the benefits you’ve earned through your honorable service.
Can I Get Extra Compensation for My Family?
Yes!
If your combined VA disability rating is 30% or higher, you’re eligible for additional monthly compensation for:
- Spouse
- Dependent children
- Dependent parents
Who Can Help Me With My VA Claim?
You can get help from a VA-accredited representative, such as a Veteran Service Officer (VSO), claims agent, or VA-accredited attorney.
Click here to find accredited representation near you.
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
