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The Social Security Administration recently announced a massive 8.7% COLA increase to VA Disability Rates 2023.
Disabled veterans with a VA rating of 10% or higher will see their 2023 VA Disability Pay Increase by 8.7% effective December 1, 2022, with an official pay date of January 2023.
- VA Disability Rates 2023 WITHOUT Dependents [OFFICIAL]
- 2023 VA Disability Rates WITH Dependents [OFFICIAL]
- 2023 VA Disability Rates: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- #1. What is the Official 2023 VA Disability Pay Increase?
- #2. Is VA Disability Compensation Tax Free?
- #3. Do Dependents Qualify for VA Disability Pay?
- #4. What is Special Monthly Compensation?
- #5. How Do I File a Claim Online for VA Disability Benefits?
- #6. How Long Does It Take to Get a VA Rating Decision in 2023?
- #7. What Factors Determine My VA Disability Rating?
- #8. How Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
- Need VA Disability Claim Help? We’re VA Claim Experts!
- About the Author
VA Disability Rates 2023 WITHOUT Dependents [OFFICIAL]
10% – 20% VA Rating (No Dependents)
| VA Disability Rating | 2023 VA Disability Pay |
|---|---|
| 10% | $165.92 |
| 20% | $327.99 |
30% – 60% VA Rating (Without Children)
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $508.06 | $731.85 | $1,041.83 | $1,319.65 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $567.53 | $812.32 | $1,142.11 | $1,439.76 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $615.34 | $876.45 | $1,222.57 | $1,536.54 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $663.15 | $940.59 | $1,303.03 | $1,633.33 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $555.87 | $795.99 | $1,122.29 | $1,416.44 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $603.68 | $860.13 | $1,202.75 | $1,513.22 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $55.97 | $73.46 | $93.29 | $111.95 |
70% – 100% VA Rating (Without Children)
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $1,663.05 | $1,933.16 | $2,172.39 | $3,621.95 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,804.15 | $2,094.08 | $2,353.14 | $3,823.89 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $1,917.26 | $2,223.52 | $2,498.90 | $3,985.96 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $2,030.37 | $2,352.95 | $2,644.66 | $4,148.02 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,776.17 | $2,062.59 | $2,318.16 | $3,784.01 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,889.28 | $2,192.03 | $2,463.92 | $3,946.07 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $129.44 | $148.09 | $166.75 | $185.20 |
2023 VA Disability Rates WITH Dependents [OFFICIAL]
30% – 60% VA Rating (With Children)
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $613.01 | $871.79 | $1,216.74 | $1,529.55 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $547.70 | $785.50 | $1,108.29 | $1,400.11 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $660.82 | $935.92 | $1,297.20 | $1,626.33 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $708.63 | $1,000.06 | $1,377.66 | $1,723.12 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $595.51 | $849.63 | $1,188.76 | $1,496.90 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $643.32 | $913.77 | $1,269.22 | $1,593.68 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $29.15 | $39.65 | $50.14 | $59.47 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $96.79 | $129.44 | $160.92 | $193.57 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $55.97 | $73.46 | $93.29 | $111.95 |
70% – 100% VA Rating (With Children)
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $1,907.93 | $2,213.02 | $2,487.24 | $3,971.78 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1,757.51 | $2,040.44 | $2,293.67 | $3,756.99 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $2,021.05 | $2,342.46 | $2,633.00 | $4,133.84 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $2,134.16 | $2,471.89 | $2,778.76 | $4,295.90 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,870.62 | $2,169.87 | $2,439.43 | $3,919.06 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $1,983.73 | $2,299.31 | $2,585.19 | $4,081.12 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $69.97 | $79.29 | $89.79 | $100.34 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $226.22 | $258.87 | $291.52 | $324.13 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $129.44 | $148.09 | $166.75 | $185.20 |
*Note 1: The official VA disability rates 2023 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.
*Note 2: 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 $129.68 for additional for A/A spouse to the rate for a 70% veteran to calculate the total amount.
2023 VA Disability Rates: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
#1. What is the Official 2023 VA Disability Pay Increase?
VA disability compensation benefits will increase by 8.7% in 2023.
On October 13, 2022, the SSA announced its official Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 8.7% for 2023, 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.
#2. Is VA Disability Compensation 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.
#3. Do Dependents Qualify for VA Disability Pay?
Dependents do not qualify for VA disability payments directly; however, they can increase your overall monthly VA disability payment since they are dependent on your income.
The 2023 VA disability rates factor in parents, spouses, and children that are legally considered dependents.
The 10% and 20% VA disability ratings do not offer extra compensation for dependents.
You must have a VA rating of 30% or higher to qualify for additional compensation for your dependents.
#4. What is 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.
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 see the new 2023 VA Special Monthly Compensation Rates.
#5. How Do I File a Claim Online for VA Disability Benefits?
To apply for VA disability benefits, or a VA disability increase, simply start a new VA claim and submit it online for free at VA.gov along with medical records for each condition you’re claiming.
The new VA website is like “Turbo-Tax” for VA disability claims: Each screen will provide you with step-by-step instructions and on-screen tips to help you prepare and file your claim online.
If you choose to go this route (which I recommend), select the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) option, and make sure you have the proper evidence for your FDC ready to upload:
- Service Treatment Records (STRs), VA Medical Records, and/or Private Treatment Records
- Nexus Letters (if you weren’t diagnosed in-service or if your STRs lack evidence)
- VA Statements in Support of a Claim for each condition you’re claiming
- Buddy Letters (if your STRs lack evidence of your claimed condition)
#6. How Long Does It Take to Get a VA Rating Decision in 2023?
New claims (first time filer) usually take 4-8 months to process.
Generally, the more conditions you file for, the longer your claim will take.
Increase claims or secondary claims usually take 3-4 months.
Once you get a VA rating decision, you will start receiving payments on the first day the following month.
Click HERE to see the 2023 VA Disability Pay Dates.
#7. What Factors Determine My VA Disability Rating?
The VA follows the rules of the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) to assign rating percentages to veteran’s conditions.
The VASRD is the official rating chart for VA disability (with rating rules for conditions) based on their medical diagnosis by diagnostic code and severity of symptoms in terms of frequency, severity, and duration.
- Frequency means how often.
- Severity means how bad.
- Duration means how long.
Generally, the more severe your symptoms, the higher your rating will be for that condition.
#8. How Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
To qualify for a higher VA rating, you must get one or more individual condition ratings increased, which will then increase your total combined rating.
If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim on VA.gov by checking the box for an increased evaluation.
Here’s the deal fellow veterans…
So many veterans are stuck, frustrated, and underrated by the VA.
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If you’re ready to increase your VA disability rating, regardless of past denials, watch my brand-new FREE video training for 2023:
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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.
