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 the December 31, 2025 payment for December benefits.
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 follows the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment through an annual act of Congress. For 2026, Public Law 119-42, signed November 25, 2025, raised compensation by the same 2.8% as Social Security, effective December 1, 2025.
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 the December 31, 2025 payment for December benefits. 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.
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.
Correction — October 21, 2026: The first payment at the 2026 rates was issued December 31, 2025 (for December benefits), because January 1 was a federal holiday. This post originally said the new rates first appeared in January 2026 payments.
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). The December 2025 benefit was paid December 31, 2025. VA disability is paid in arrears, normally on the first of the following month; when that date is a weekend or federal holiday, payment moves to the preceding business day.
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 was issued December 31, 2025, because January 1 was a federal holiday.
How is the VA disability COLA calculated?
Each year, Congress passes a Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act that raises VA disability compensation by the same percentage as Social Security benefits. The act for 2026, Public Law 119-42, applied the 2.8% increase. 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
The rating criteria, diagnostic codes, and dollar figures on this page are cited to the references below. See our editorial policy for how we choose and verify sources.
- 38 U.S.C. § 5120 — Payment of benefits — U.S. Government Publishing Office
- 2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment — U.S. Social Security Administration
- Public Law 119-42 — Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 — U.S. Government Publishing Office
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.