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It’s official! 2027 VA disability pay rates are increasing by 3.6%. The Social Security Administration (SSA) just announced the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). That means veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher will see a 3.6% increase in their tax-free monthly VA disability compensation, effective December 1, 2026 payable starting December 31, 2026.
We’ve applied the official 3.6% COLA increase to the 2026 VA disability pay rates so you can see exactly what your 2027 monthly compensation will look like based on your VA rating and dependents. Check out the updated 2027 VA disability pay charts below to see how much you’ll get each month.
2027 VA Disability Pay Rates (Without Children)
| Rating | Veteran Alone | Veteran & Spouse | Veteran, Spouse, & One Parent | Veteran, Spouse, & Two Parents | Veteran & One Parent | Veteran & Two Parents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $4,080.37 | $4,307.86 | $4,490.45 | $4,673.03 | $4,262.95 | $4,445.54 |
| 90% | $2,447.34 | $2,651.43 | $2,815.12 | $2,978.81 | $2,611.03 | $2,774.72 |
| 80% | $2,177.83 | $2,359.13 | $2,504.17 | $2,649.21 | $2,322.87 | $2,467.91 |
| 70% | $1,873.55 | $2,032.06 | $2,159.49 | $2,286.92 | $2,000.98 | $2,128.41 |
| 60% | $1,486.68 | $1,622.40 | $1,731.18 | $1,839.96 | $1,595.46 | $1,704.24 |
| 50% | $1,173.68 | $1,286.61 | $1,377.78 | $1,468.94 | $1,264.85 | $1,356.02 |
| 40% | $824.49 | $914.62 | $987.14 | $1,059.66 | $897.01 | $969.53 |
| 30% | $572.36 | $639.70 | $693.57 | $747.44 | $626.23 | $680.10 |
| Rating | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional For A/A Spouses | $208.66 | $187.52 | $166.80 | $146.08 | $125.36 | $104.64 | $83.92 | $63.20 |
2027 VA Disability Pay 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% | $4,232.51 | $4,474.47 | $4,657.06 | $4,839.64 | $4,415.09 | $4,597.67 |
| 90% | $2,584.09 | $2,801.65 | $2,965.34 | $3,129.03 | $2,747.78 | $2,911.47 |
| 80% | $2,299.04 | $2,492.77 | $2,637.81 | $2,782.85 | $2,444.08 | $2,589.12 |
| 70% | $1,979.23 | $2,149.13 | $2,276.56 | $2,403.99 | $2,106.65 | $2,234.08 |
| 60% | $1,577.85 | $1,722.89 | $1,831.67 | $1,940.45 | $1,686.63 | $1,795.41 |
| 50% | $1,249.31 | $1,370.52 | $1,461.69 | $1,552.86 | $1,340.48 | $1,431.65 |
| 40% | $884.58 | $981.96 | $1,054.48 | $1,127.00 | $957.10 | $1,029.62 |
| 30% | $617.94 | $690.46 | $744.33 | $798.21 | $671.81 | $725.69 |
| Rating | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each Additional Child Under 18 | $113.04 | $101.53 | $90.13 | $78.74 | $67.34 | $55.94 | $44.55 | $33.15 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over 18 | $365.14 | $328.41 | $291.12 | $254.86 | $218.60 | $182.34 | $145.04 | $108.78 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official 2027 VA disability COLA increase?
The official 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 3.6%. The Social Security Administration announced the increase on October 14, 2026. Federal law requires VA disability compensation to match Social Security’s COLA percentage. That means higher tax-free monthly compensation for eligible veterans beginning with the December 2026 benefit month.
How was the 3.6% COLA for 2027 calculated?
The Social Security Administration calculates COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The 2027 increase reflects the change in the average CPI-W for July, August, and September 2026 compared with the same three months in 2025. The resulting 3.6% adjustment helps Social Security and VA disability benefits keep pace with rising living costs.
How much will VA disability pay increase in 2027?
VA disability compensation increases by 3.6% in 2027. For every $1,000 in monthly compensation in 2026, that’s an additional $36 per month, or $432 per year. At $4,000 per month, the increase is $144 per month, or $1,728 per year. Your total 2027 payment depends on your combined VA disability rating, qualifying dependents, and any special monthly compensation (SMC) you receive.
When do the new rates take effect, and when will I see the higher payment?
The new 2027 VA disability pay rates will take effect on December 1, 2026. Because VA pays disability compensation in arrears, your December 2026 benefits are paid on December 31, 2026 because January 1, 2027 is a federal holiday. However, your deposit may arrive one to three days early depending on your bank or credit union, including institutions like USAA or Navy Federal.
Do I need to do anything to get the 2027 COLA increase?
No. The COLA increase is automatic. You don’t need to apply, call the VA, or submit a claim. The VA adjusts your benefit amount internally based on your VA rating, and you’ll see the change reflected in your December 2026 deposit (payable December 31, 2026). If you’re receiving multiple VA benefits—like Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or VA Pension—they’ll all increase automatically as well.
Who gets the 2027 COLA increase?
All veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher automatically qualify for the 2027 COLA increase. That includes veterans rated from 10% to 100%, veterans receiving Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) paid at the 100% rate, and recipients of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or VA Pension benefits. If you have a 0% VA rating, you won’t see a monthly pay increase because 0% ratings do not include monthly VA disability compensation.
Do I get extra dependent pay at 10% or 20%?
No. Veterans rated at 10% or 20% receive a flat monthly rate, regardless of dependents. Additional VA compensation for dependents, including a spouse, children, or dependent parents, starts at a combined VA disability rating of 30% or higher. See the official 2027 VA pay tables above to calculate your monthly compensation with or without dependents.
Does the 2027 3.6% COLA affect my retroactive or back pay?
It depends on the months covered by your retroactive pay. VA back pay is calculated using the pay rates that were in effect for each month of your retro period. If your back pay includes months on or after December 1, 2026, those months would use the new 2027 VA disability rates. But if your back pay covers earlier years, those months are calculated using the VA pay rates in effect for those specific years.
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. See my full breakdown of Veterans’ Tax Rules and Exemptions.
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 free 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. If you need help developing your evidence and strategy, see my guide: 8 Ways to Increase Your VA Disability Rating.
How do I find VA resources near me?
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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The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
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.
