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2026 VA disability rates are expected to increase by 2.7%.
The 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), based on the August 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI), will boost monthly tax-free compensation for all veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher.
The increase will take effect on December 1, 2025, with new monthly pay rates showing up in your January 1, 2026 VA disability check.
View the 2026 VA disability payment schedule.
The annual COLA increase for veterans helps ensure your VA disability benefits keep up with inflation and rising living costs, protecting the true value of your compensation year after year.
Table of Contents
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates (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% | $3,934.74 | $4,154.12 | $4,330.19 | $4,506.26 | $4,110.81 | $4,286.88 | $201.21 |
| 90% | $2,360.00 | $2,556.85 | $2,714.75 | $2,872.66 | $2,517.90 | $2,675.81 | $181.06 |
| 80% | $2,100.10 | $2,274.84 | $2,414.85 | $2,554.85 | $2,240.10 | $2,380.11 | $161.06 |
| 70% | $1,806.69 | $1,959.32 | $2,082.49 | $2,205.65 | $1,929.85 | $2,053.01 | $141.06 |
| 60% | $1,433.62 | $1,565.20 | $1,670.47 | $1,775.74 | $1,538.88 | $1,644.15 | $120.00 |
| 50% | $1,131.79 | $1,241.27 | $1,328.64 | $1,416.02 | $1,219.17 | $1,306.54 | $100.00 |
| 40% | $795.06 | $882.44 | $951.91 | $1,021.39 | $864.54 | $934.02 | $80.00 |
| 30% | $551.93 | $617.19 | $669.83 | $722.46 | $604.56 | $657.20 | $60.00 |
Note: Veterans with VA ratings of 10% or 20% do not receive additional compensation for dependents.
- 10% VA Rating = $180.25
- 20% VA Rating = $356.32
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2026 VA Disability Pay Rates (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% | $4,081.45 | $4,314.78 | $4,490.85 | $4,666.92 | $4,257.52 | $4,433.59 | $109.00 | $352.11 |
| 90% | $2,491.59 | $2,701.07 | $2,858.97 | $3,016.87 | $2,649.49 | $2,807.39 | $97.90 | $316.86 |
| 80% | $2,216.94 | $2,403.27 | $2,543.27 | $2,683.28 | $2,356.95 | $2,496.96 | $86.32 | $281.06 |
| 70% | $1,908.79 | $2,071.96 | $2,195.12 | $2,318.29 | $2,031.96 | $2,155.12 | $75.79 | $246.33 |
| 60% | $1,520.99 | $1,660.99 | $1,766.26 | $1,871.53 | $1,626.26 | $1,731.52 | $65.27 | $120.00 |
| 50% | $1,204.43 | $1,321.28 | $1,408.65 | $1,496.02 | $1,291.80 | $1,379.17 | $53.69 | $100.00 |
| 40% | $852.96 | $946.65 | $1,016.13 | $1,085.60 | $922.44 | $991.91 | $43.16 | $80.00 |
| 30% | $595.09 | $665.62 | $718.25 | $770.88 | $647.72 | $700.36 | $32.63 | $60.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the 2026 VA Disability Pay Increase?
The 2026 VA disability pay increase is expected to be 2.7%, based on the latest inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The official COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) will be announced in mid-October 2025 once July, August, and September inflation numbers are finalized.
With one month to go in the COLA calculation, Veterans should expect the increase to fall somewhere between 2.6% and 2.9%, depending on September’s CPI-W reading.
When Will Veterans See the 2026 Pay Raise?
- Effective Date: December 1, 2025
- Payment Date: January 1, 2026 (first VA disability check with the new rate)
This has been the long-standing pattern for VA COLA adjustments.
How Much More Money Is That?
Here’s a quick way to calculate your new VA disability pay rate: Current Monthly Rate × 1.027
- $1,000 = ~$1,027 (+$27)
- $2,000 = ~$2,054 (+$54)
Note: Your actual increase depends on your disability rating percentage and whether you receive additional benefits for dependents.
Who Gets the Increase?
If you have a VA disability rating of 10% or higher, your monthly tax-free compensation will automatically increase with the final COLA.
Historically, COLA adjustments also apply to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and the annual VA clothing allowance.
Could the Final COLA Change?
It’s unlikely at this point; however, the 2.7% figure is still a projection.
The September CPI-W report will lock in the calculation, and the Social Security Administration will make the official announcement in mid-October 2025.
- If inflation cools, the final COLA could dip lower.
- If inflation rises—due to tariffs, supply chain issues, or energy costs—the final COLA could come in higher.
How Does the VA Determine My Disability Rating?
The VA uses the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) to assign ratings from 0% to 100% in 10% increments.
VA ratings are based on:
- The severity of your symptoms
- How your conditions affect work, daily life, and social functioning
If you have multiple conditions, the VA applies a “VA math” formula to combine them into a total combined rating.
Use our free VA disability calculator to quickly estimate your combined rating and monthly pay.
Can I File for a VA Rating Increase?
Yes, you can file for an increase at VA.gov if your symptoms have worsened or you have new medical evidence that supports a higher rating.
Remember: COLA increases help, but accurate ratings matter more.
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 penny you’ve earned for serving our country.
Can I Get Extra Compensation for My Family?
Yes, if your combined VA rating is 30% or higher, you are eligible for additional compensation for:
- A spouse
- Dependent children
- Dependent parents
Who Can Help Me With My VA Claim?
A VA-accredited representative, such as a Veteran Service Officer (VSO), claims agent, or attorney, can help you file or appeal your claim.
Click here to find accredited representation near you.
2026 VA Disability Pay Increase Details [PDF Download]
Get the full breakdown of the 2026 VA disability compensation increase, which is anticipated at 2.7%.
This free download for veterans explains what’s driving the pay raise, when the new rates take effect, how much more you can expect in your monthly, tax-free VA disability pay, and the action steps you should take now:
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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.
