The 2026 VA disability compensation rates are now available on VA Disability Hub. These rates reflect the 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) that took effect December 1, 2025, and first appeared in payments issued at the start of January 2026.
If you receive VA disability compensation, the increase is automatic — there is nothing to file, request, or update on your end. The rate change applies whether you have a 10% rating or a 100% rating, and whether you are paid as a single veteran or with dependents.
How the 2026 COLA was set
VA disability compensation is tied by statute to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5312, whenever Social Security benefits rise by a given percentage, VA disability compensation must rise by the same percentage on the same effective date.
The Social Security Administration announced the 2026 COLA in October 2025, using the standard CPI-W formula:
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures the average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the prior year (2024).
- It measures the same three months for the current year (2025).
- The percentage change between those two averages becomes the COLA.
For 2026 that figure landed at 2.8%, which the Social Security Administration formally announced on October 24, 2025. VA then republished its full compensation tables on va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/ reflecting the increase, which we have mirrored on our 2026 rate tables page.
Recent COLA history
The 2026 increase is smaller than the unusually large adjustments seen during the post-pandemic inflation period, but it remains above the long-run average:
| Effective date | COLA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2022 | 8.7% | Highest COLA since 1981 |
| Dec 1, 2023 | 3.2% | Inflation cooling |
| Dec 1, 2024 | 2.5% | Continued moderation |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 2.8% | 2026 rate year |
Cumulatively, a veteran receiving VA disability throughout this period has seen their monthly payment grow by roughly 18% over four COLAs.
Key 2026 rate highlights
These are the most-referenced single-veteran (no dependents) figures. You can see the complete table — including every dependent column — on our 2026 rate tables page or use the calculator to estimate your specific monthly payment.
| Rating | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $180.42 | +$4.91 |
| 30% | $537.42 | $552.47 | +$15.05 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,132.90 | +$30.86 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,808.45 | +$49.26 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 | $2,362.30 | +$64.34 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $3,938.58 | +$107.28 |
What this means for you
- Automatic increase. Every veteran receiving VA disability compensation began receiving the new amount in their January 2026 deposit. No application or contact with VA is required.
- Dependent additions also went up. The amounts paid for a spouse, each minor child, school-aged children over 18, dependent parents, and a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance were all increased by 2.8%.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) rose by the same percentage. SMC-K, the most commonly added SMC tier, is $139.87/month for 2026.
- TDIU recipients are paid the new 100% rate. Veterans receiving Total Disability Individual Unemployability are paid at the 100% schedular rate, so TDIU recipients also saw the full 2.8% bump.
- Your tax situation does not change. VA disability compensation remains fully tax-free at the federal level and in every state.
What is not changing
Some things veterans sometimes expect to change with a new rate year that did not change in 2026:
- Rating criteria. The diagnostic codes and rating percentages in 38 CFR Part 4 are unchanged. A new COLA does not by itself raise or lower anyone’s combined rating.
- Eligibility rules. Service connection requirements, the rules for secondary conditions, and the TDIU thresholds in 38 CFR § 4.16 are not affected by COLA.
- Effective dates of pending claims. A pending claim’s effective date is determined by when you filed (or your intent-to-file date), not by the COLA cycle.
Sources and how to verify your own rate
The single source of truth for VA disability rates is the VA’s published compensation table. We always recommend that veterans cross-check the figure they see in our calculator against va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/ for their specific rating and dependent status.
You can also:
- Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your monthly payment with dependents and the bilateral factor.
- Read our rating tier guides for what each percentage means in terms of monthly pay and benefits.
- Review 38 U.S.C. § 1114, the underlying statute that defines basic compensation levels, and 38 U.S.C. § 5312, which mandates the annual COLA.
If you spot a discrepancy between any number on this site and the VA’s published table, please let us know via the contact page — we treat rate accuracy as a top priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the 2026 rates take effect?
The 2026 VA disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2025, reflecting a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Veterans should have seen the updated amounts in their January 2026 payments, since VA disability is paid in arrears on the first business day of each month.
How much did rates increase for 2026?
All VA disability compensation rates increased by 2.8% for 2026. For example, the 100% rate for a single veteran went from $3,831.30 to $3,938.58 per month — an increase of $107.28. The 50% rate went from $1,102.04 to $1,132.90, and the 10% rate went from $175.51 to $180.42.
Do I need to do anything to get the new rate?
No. The COLA increase is automatic. If you are already receiving VA disability compensation, the higher amount is applied without any application, paperwork, or request on your part. The first payment at the new rate landed in early January 2026.
How is the VA disability COLA calculated?
By federal law (38 U.S.C. § 5312), VA disability compensation rates rise by the same percentage as Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration sets the COLA each year based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), comparing the third quarter of the prior year to the third quarter of the current year. The 2.8% figure for 2026 was announced by SSA in October 2025.
Are dependent additions also higher in 2026?
Yes. Every line on the VA's compensation table — base rates, spouse additions, child additions, parent additions, and Aid and Attendance — was raised by the same 2.8% COLA. The amount you receive for a spouse, each child, and each dependent parent is higher in 2026 than in 2025.
Sources
Every rating percentage, diagnostic code, and dollar figure on this page is sourced from the references below. See our editorial policy for how we choose and verify sources.
- 2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment — U.S. Social Security Administration
- 38 U.S.C. § 5312 — Cost-of-living adjustments — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance, consult a VA-accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent.