For 2026, VA disability rates will increase 2.8% from the previous year.1 Set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), updated rates mirror those of the SSA’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2026, and are effective December 1, 2025. First payments are expected to arrive late December 2025 or January 2026. View our VA disability compensation chart for payment specifics.
2026 VA Disability Rates Overview
2026 VA disability compensation rates are increasing by 2.8% from 2025. This increase aligns with the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which the VA is legally required to follow. You will see an automatic VA disability increase in 2026 if you are a recipient of monthly VA disability compensation, Total Disability for Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), all of which adhere to broader federal COLA guidelines.
VA Benefits Pay Chart for 2026
How much you will receive in monthly disability compensation from the increased VA COLA for 2026 is based on your individual disability rating and dependent status. Scroll to your appropriate VA disability pay chart below to see what you can expect to receive in tax-free monthly payments with the 2026 VA disability rate increase of 2.8%.
For Veterans with a 10%-20% Disability Rating
| Disability Rating | 2026 Monthly Payment |
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
Effective Dec 1, 2025; payable starting Jan 2026.
For Veterans with a 30%-60% Disability Rating with Dependent Spouse and/or Parent but No Children
| Dependent Status | Disability Rating 30% | Disability Rating 40% | Disability Rating 50% | Disability Rating 60% |
| Veteran alone, no dependents | $552.47 | $795.84 | $1,132.90 | $1,435.02 |
| With spouse | $617.47 | $882.84 | $1,241.90 | $1,566.02 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | $669.47 | $952.84 | $1,329.90 | $1,671.02 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | $721.47 | $1,022.84 | $1,417.90 | $1,776.02 |
| With 1 parent (no spouse) | $604.47 | $865.84 | $1,220.90 | $1,540.02 |
| With 2 parents (no spouse) | $656.47 | $935.84 | $1,308.90 | $1,645.02 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Assistance | +$61 | +$81 | +$101 | +$121 |
Effective Dec 1, 2025; payable starting Jan 2026.
For Veterans with a 30%-60% Disability Rating with Dependents, Including Children
| Dependent Status | Disability Rating 30% | Disability Rating 40% | Disability Rating 50% | Disability Rating 60% |
| Veteran with 1 child only (no spouse or parents) | $596.47 | $853.84 | $1,205.90 | $1,523.02 |
| With 1 child and spouse (no parents) | $666.47 | $947.84 | $1,322.90 | $1,663.02 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent | $718.47 | $1,017.84 | $1,410.90 | $1,768.02 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | $770.47 | $1,087.84 | $1,498.90 | $1,873.02 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) | $648.47 | $923.84 | $1,293.90 | $1,628.02 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) | $700.47 | $993.84 | $1,381.90 | $1,733.02 |
| For each additional child under age 18 | +$32.00 | +$43.00 | +$54.00 | +$65.00 |
| For each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program | +$105.00 | +$140.00 | +$176.00 | +$211.00 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Assistance | +$61 | +$81 | +$101 | +$121 |
Effective Dec 1, 2025; payable starting Jan 2026.
For Veterans with a 70%-100% Disability Rating with Dependent Spouse and/or Parent but No Children
| Dependent Status | Disability Rating 70% | Disability Rating 80% | Disability Rating 90% | Disability Rating 100% |
| Veteran alone, no dependents | $1,808.45 | $2,102.15 | $2,362.30 | $3,938.58 |
| With spouse | $1,961.45 | $2,277.15 | $2,559.30 | $4,158.17 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | $2,084.45 | $2,417.15 | $2,717.30 | $4,334.41 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | $2,207.45 | $2,557.15 | $2,875.30 | $4,510.65 |
| With 1 parent (no spouse) | $1,931.45 | $2,242.15 | $2,520.30 | $4,114.82 |
| With 2 parents (no spouse) | $2,054.45 | $2,382.15 | $2,678.30 | $4,291.06 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Assistance | +$141.00 | +$161.00 | +$181.00 | +$201.41 |
Effective Dec 1, 2025; payable starting Jan 2026.
For Veterans with a 70%-100% Disability Rating with Dependents, Including Children
| Dependent Status | Disability Rating 70% | Disability Rating 80% | Disability Rating 90% | Disability Rating 100% |
| Veteran with 1 child only (no spouse or parents) | $1,910.45 | $2,219.15 | $2,494.30 | $4,085.43 |
| With 1 child and spouse (no parents) | $2,074.45 | $2,406.15 | $2,704.30 | $4,318.99 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent | $2,197.45 | $2,546.15 | $2,862.30 | $4,495.23 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | $2,320.45 | $2,686.15 | $3,020.30 | $4,671.47 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent (no spouse) | $2,033.45 | $2,359.15 | $2,652.30 | $4,261.67 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents (no spouse) | $2,156.45 | $2,499.15 | $2,810.30 | $4,437.91 |
| For each additional child under age 18 | +$76.00 | +$87.00 | +$98.00 | +$109.11 |
| For each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program | +$246.00 | +$281.00 | +$317.00 | +$352.45 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Assistance | +$141.00 | +$161.00 | +$181.00 | +$201.41 |
Effective Dec 1, 2025; payable starting Jan 2026.
Effective Dates & Timing of First Payment
New 2026 VA disability rates will take effect December 1, 2025.2 You should receive your first higher monthly payment at the end of December 2025 or early January 2026.
The VA is required by law to follow the cost-of-living adjustment and timing implementation of the SSA. You will see “effective December 1” used in reference to increased VA disability rates because that is when SSA COLA for 2026 officially starts.
Why Rates Change: How VA COLA Works
A Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is made by the SSA each year. It is based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which tracks the average price change for a fixed unit of goods or services purchased by everyday Americans.
The SSA COLA increase for 2026 was announced in late October, 2025,3 with VA compensation changes automatically following. 2026 VA COLA is 2.8% and applies to all veteran disability payments.
What Else Changes with COLA?
In addition to the 2026 VA disability increase, changes to COLA also mean a 2.8% increase for monthly payments related to:
- Total Disability for Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC),
You can find more information on 2026 DIC Rates, 2026 TDIU Rates, and 2026 SMC Rates at https://www.va.gov/.
When New VA Disability Pay Starts
The 2.8% increase to VA disability compensation payments is effective December 1, 2025.2 If you receive monthly disability compensation through the VA, you will be paid on the 2026 payment schedule, available online.4
Do You Need Help with Your 2026 VA Disability Benefits Claim?
A contingency-based veterans’ law firm may be able to help you apply for VA disability benefits, appeal a denied claim, or get an increase in your disability rating. Contact Injured Veterans for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your current eligibility.
About Injured Veterans
Injured Veterans is the veteran-focused department of Gordon & Partners Law Firm. With a team of veterans’ disability lawyers, Injured Veterans provides contingency-based legal support, resources, and advocacy to help U.S. veterans maximize compensation for a wide range of service-connected conditions. Specialty areas of focus include Total Disability Individual Unemployability, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Agent Orange exposure, Gulf War Syndrome, and veteran substance use disorder.
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/
- Veterans United Home Loans, https://www.veteransunited.com/network/military-disability-compensation-rate-tables/
- Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/cola/
- Military.com, https://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/va-disability-payment-schedule.html
