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2026 VA DISABILITY PAY RATES INCREASE BY 2.8%
Effective December 1, 2025, the 2026 VA disability pay rates reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as announced by the Social Security Administration on October 24, 2025. The first increased VA disability payment arrives January 1, 2026. Use the charts on this page to find your exact tax-free monthly amount by combined rating with dependents.
2026 VA Disability Rates Without Children
| Rating | Veteran Alone | Veteran & Spouse | Veteran, Spouse, & One Parent | Veteran, Spouse, & Two Parents | Veteran & One Parent | Veteran & Two Parents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $3,938.57 | $4,158.16 | $4,334.41 | $4,510.65 | $4,114.81 | $4,291.06 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.34 | $2,717.40 | $2,875.45 | $2,520.36 | $2,678.41 |
| 80% | $2,102.14 | $2,277.06 | $2,417.20 | $2,557.34 | $2,242.28 | $2,382.43 |
| 70% | $1,808.44 | $1,961.23 | $2,084.51 | $2,207.80 | $1,931.73 | $2,055.01 |
| 60% | $1,435.01 | $1,566.73 | $1,672.10 | $1,777.47 | $1,540.38 | $1,645.75 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,242.48 | $1,329.94 | $1,417.40 | $1,220.35 | $1,307.81 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $883.30 | $952.84 | $1,022.38 | $865.38 | $934.93 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.79 | $670.48 | $723.16 | $605.15 | $657.84 |
| Rating | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional For A/A Spouses | $201.40 | $181.24 | $161.22 | $141.20 | $120.12 | $100.10 | $80.08 | $60.06 |
Note: Veterans with VA ratings of 10% or 20% do not receive additional compensation for dependents.
- 10% Disability Rating = $180.42
- 20% Disability Rating = $356.66
Veteran: Deserve a Higher VA Rating?
Take advantage of a no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Learn what you’ve been missing so you can potentially get the VA disability rating and compensation you’ve earned for serving our country. Click the red button below:
2026 VA Disability Rates With Children
| Rating | Veteran & Child | Veteran, Spouse, & Child | Veteran, Spouse, Child, & One Parent | Veteran, Spouse, Child, & Two Parents | Veteran, Child, & One Parent | Veteran, Child, & Two Parents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $4,085.43 | $4,318.98 | $4,495.22 | $4,671.46 | $4,261.67 | $4,437.91 |
| 90% | $2,494.01 | $2,703.70 | $2,861.75 | $3,019.81 | $2,652.07 | $2,810.12 |
| 80% | $2,219.10 | $2,405.61 | $2,545.75 | $2,685.89 | $2,359.24 | $2,499.39 |
| 70% | $1,910.65 | $2,073.98 | $2,197.26 | $2,320.54 | $2,033.94 | $2,157.22 |
| 60% | $1,522.47 | $1,662.61 | $1,767.98 | $1,873.35 | $1,627.84 | $1,733.21 |
| 50% | $1,205.60 | $1,322.56 | $1,410.02 | $1,497.48 | $1,293.06 | $1,380.52 |
| 40% | $853.79 | $947.57 | $1,017.12 | $1,086.66 | $923.34 | $992.88 |
| 30% | $595.67 | $666.27 | $718.95 | $771.64 | $648.35 | $701.04 |
| Rating | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each Additional Child Under 18 | $109.11 | $97.99 | $86.40 | $75.87 | $65.33 | $53.74 | $43.20 | $32.66 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over 18 | $352.45 | $317.16 | $281.34 | $246.57 | $120.12 | $100.10 | $80.08 | $60.06 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When do the new rates take effect, and when will I see the higher payment?
The new 2026 VA rates take effect on December 1, 2025, and your first higher payment will hit your account on January 1, 2026. That deposit covers your December 2025 benefits at the new 2026 rate. Check the 2026 VA Pay Dates Calendar for your exact deposit schedule.
Is VA disability pay taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is completely tax-free at both the federal and state levels. That includes payments for SMC, DIC, VA Pension, and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). If you receive both VA disability and military retired pay, make sure to review your DFAS Form 1099-R to understand which portions are taxable.
How does the VA determine my disability rating?
The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) found in 38 CFR Part 4 to assign a percentage to each service-connected condition. Each condition gets a diagnostic code and rating level based on symptom severity, frequency, and impact on your work and life. If you have multiple service-connected conditions, VA applies the Combined Ratings Table—often called “VA math”—to determine your final combined rating. Try our VA disability calculator to quickly find your combined VA rating and monthly payment amount.
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 request a VA rating increase at any time through VA.gov. A properly documented increase claim can often raise your monthly benefit more than a COLA adjustment alone.
How do I find VA resources near me?
Yes. You can search for VA-accredited VSOs, attorneys, or claims agents using the VA’s official tool (VSO services on claims are free), and you can look up nearby VA facilities (medical centers, Vet Centers, regional benefits offices).
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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.
