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2022 VA disability rates were released on October 13, 2021 with the implementation of the Social Security Administration’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2022, which is 5.9%.
*NEW* The official 2022 COLA increase is 5.9%, representing the largest COLA bump since 1983.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adjusts its VA compensation rates effective December 1 of each year based on the yearly change in the cost of living as determined by the Social Security Administration (final COLA is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report of September 2021 inflation data).
Will Disabled Veterans Get a VA Pay Increase in 2022?
Yes, disabled veterans with a 10% VA rating or higher will see a 5.9% COLA increase on their monthly VA compensation payment beginning January 2022.
You might also be interested in the following high-value blog posts:
- 2022 VA Disability Pay Dates
- Top 5 Ways to Increase Your VA Disability Rating
- FREE Combined VA Disability Rating Calculator
- Will Disabled Veterans Get a VA Pay Increase in 2022?
- Will VA disability benefits increase in 2022?
- Is VA Disability Pay Tax Free?
- How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
- What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?
- What is VA Special Monthly Compensation?
- How Do I Apply for VA Disability Compensation Benefits?
- How Do I Apply for VA Special Monthly Compensation?
- List of VA Regional Offices by State
- How Do I Find VA Locations Near Me?
Will disabled veterans get a VA pay increase in 2022?
Yes, disabled veterans are getting a whopping 5.9% VA disability pay increase beginning January 2022, which is the largest pay increase since 1983.
Brian Reese a Veteran Benefits expert, is now predicting a 5.9% military disability pay increase for 2022, primarily because of rising inflation, increasing prices of consumer goods as the economy re-opens, as well as higher food, construction, energy, and gas prices.
Mary Johnson from The Senior Citizens League, released her second official COLA estimate for 2022, indicating there could be a 5.9% COLA increase next year.
Official 2022 COLA Increase is 5.9%
The new 2022 VA disability rates are effective December 1, 2021.
Disabled veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or higher will see a 5.9% COLA increase on their January 1, 2021 VA compensation payment.
For example, if you were previously getting $1,000 per month tax-free, a 5.9% VA pay increase is $59, so a veterans’ VA disability compensation pay in 2022 would go up to $1,059 per month.
Did you know 80% of Veterans (8/10 of you reading this right now…) are being shortchanged nearly $1,000/month tax-free on your 2022 VA disability pay?
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2022 VA Disability Rates (OFFICIAL)
The official 2022 VA disability pay chart, along with footnotes, is shown below for reference, and includes the official 2022 COLA of 5.9%.
| 10% – 20% VA Rating (No Dependents) 5.9% COLA | ||||
| Percentage | VA Pay Rate | |||
| 10% VA Pay Rate | $152.64 | |||
| 20% VA Pay Rate | $301.74 | |||
| 30% – 60% VA Rating (Without Children) | ||||
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran Alone | $467.39 | $673.28 | $958.44 | $1,214.03 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $522.10 | $747.30 | $1,050.70 | $1,324.52 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $566.09 | $806.30 | $1,124.72 | $1,413.56 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $610.07 | $865.30 | $1,198.74 | $1,502.60 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $511.38 | $732.28 | $1,032.46 | $1,303.07 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $555.36 | $791.28 | $1,106.48 | $1,392.11 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $51.49 | $67.58 | $85.82 | $102.99 |
| 70% – 100% VA Rating (Without Children) | ||||
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $1,529.95 | $1,778.43 | $1,998.52 | $3,332.06 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,659.75 | $1,926.47 | $2,164.80 | $3,517.84 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $1,763.81 | $2,045.55 | $2,298.90 | $3,666.93 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $1,867.87 | $2,164.63 | $2,432.99 | $3,816.03 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,634.01 | $1,897.51 | $2,132.62 | $3,481.15 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,738.06 | $2,016.59 | $2,266.71 | $3,630.24 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $119.08 | $136.24 | $153.41 | $170.38 |
| 30% – 60% VA Rating (With Children) | ||||
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $563.94 | $802.01 | $1,119.36 | $1,407.13 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $503.87 | $722.63 | $1,019.59 | $1,288.05 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $607.93 | $861.01 | $1,193.38 | $1,496.17 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $651.91 | $920.02 | $1,267.40 | $1,585.21 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $547.85 | $781.63 | $1,093.61 | $1,377.09 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $591.83 | $840.63 | $1,167.63 | $1,466.13 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $26.82 | $36.47 | $46.13 | $54.71 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $89.04 | $119.08 | $148.04 | $178.08 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $51.49 | $67.58 | $85.82 | $102.99 |
| 70% – 100% VA Rating (With Children) | ||||
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $1,755.23 | $2,035.90 | $2,288.17 | $3,653.89 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1,616.84 | $1,877.13 | $2,110.09 | $3,456.29 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $1,859.29 | $2,154.97 | $2,422.26 | $3,802.98 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $1,963.35 | $2,274.05 | $2,556.36 | $3,952.07 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,720.90 | $1,996.20 | $2,244.19 | $3,605.39 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $1,824.96 | $2,115.28 | $2,378.28 | $3,754.48 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $64.37 | $72.95 | $82.60 | $92.31 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $208.12 | $238.15 | $268.19 | $298.19 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $119.08 | $136.24 | $153.41 | $170.38 |
These rates include the official 5.9% VA disability compensation pay increase over the 2021 VA disability rates.
- VA disability rates 2022 for each school child are shown separately. They are not included with any other compensation rates. All other entries on this chart reflecting a rate for children show the rate payable for children under 18 or helpless. To find the amount payable to a 70% disabled veteran with a spouse and four children, one of whom is over 18 and attending school, take the 70% rate for a veteran with a spouse and 3 children and add the rate for one school child.
- Where the veteran has a spouse, who is determined to require Aid and Attendance (A/A), add the figure shown as “Additional for A/A spouse” to the amount shown for the proper dependency code. For example, veteran has A/A spouse and 2 minor children and is 70% disabled. Add $119.30 for additional for A/A spouse to the rate for a 70% veteran to calculate the total amount.
VA Compensation Rates 2022 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will VA disability benefits increase in 2022?
Yes, VA disability benefits will increase by 5.9% in 2022.
The SSA recently made its official Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) announcement of 5.9%, which affects more than 75 million Americans who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, VA disability and pension benefits, military retirement pay, and other government benefits.
Is VA Disability Pay Tax Free?
Yes! VA disability pay is tax free at both the federal and state level.
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury that was caused or made worse during active duty military service.
How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
So many veterans are stuck, frustrated, and underrated by the VA.
And we’re on a MISSION to change it so you and your family get the veteran benefits you deserve by law.
You might be interested in my FREE video to learn about how to increase your service connected VA rating:
What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (aka, DIC) is a tax-free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of service members who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training or survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities.
DIC for parents is an income-based benefit.
Click HERE to learn more about this hidden benefit.
What is VA Special Monthly Compensation?
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to Veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses and parents.
For Veterans, Special Monthly Compensation is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances such as the need of aid and attendance by another person or a specific disability, such as loss of use of one arm or leg.
For spouses and surviving spouses, this benefit is commonly referred to as aid and attendance and is paid based on the need of aid and attendance by another person.
Click HERE to read about Special Monthly Compensation from A to Z.
How Do I Apply for VA Disability Compensation Benefits?
The easiest way to apply for VA disability compensation is by creating a free VA.gov account and applying online.
When applying for VA disability benefits in 2022, you must have access to the following information:
- Discharge or separation papers (DD 214 or equivalent)
- Medical evidence (service treatment records, VA medical records, and/or private medical records)
- Dependency records (marriage and children’s birth certificates)
Alternatively, you may print and mail-in VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits or call VA at 1-800-827-1000 to have the form mailed to you.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) VA Form 21P-534EZ, Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits and mail it to your nearest VA regional office in your state.
If you do receive a VA disability rating of 10% or higher, the new VA disability rates for 2022 will be automatically adjusted in your January 2022 VA disability pay.
How Do I Apply for VA Special Monthly Compensation?
The VA will automatically award Special Monthly Compensation if your disability qualifies.
To apply for SMC if you are housebound or required the aid and attendance of someone to perform daily living functions complete VA Form 21-2680 and mail it to your nearest VA Regional Office in your state.
List of VA Regional Offices by State
If you’ve ever tried to search for a “VA Regional Office Near Me” you’re in the right place Veterans!
Each state has a VA Regional Office in a specific city.
Click HERE to search for and find the VA Regional Office in your state.
How Do I Find VA Locations Near Me?
Veterans can now search for VA locations near you with the VA’s new facility locator tool.
You can search for your nearest VA medical center as well as other health facilities, benefit offices, cemeteries, community care providers and Vet Centers.
You can also filter your results by service type to find locations that offer the specific service you’re looking for.
Click HERE to find VA locations and VA resources now.
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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.
