Veterans in America can expect the increase in their disability compensation rates from January 2026 based on the cost of living. Every year veterans wait for the adjustment as it ensures the payout is aligned with inflation. You can find everything about the VA Disability Increase for 2026 here.
Veterans who receive disability compensation form the Department of Veteran Affairs for the disability caused in services or after services due to injury or illness during the services. The payment is offered to appreciate their services and support them with extra health costs, and other basic costs.
Millions of veterans receive the Disability Compensation and get the needed tax-free support. The Social Security Administration COLA is linked to VA disability compensation adjustment, hence, we are still waiting for the department official announcement for the 2026 boost.
What will be the VA Disability Increase 2026?
The VA Disability compensation rates depend on the disability rating you get based on the seriousness of your disability, and the family situation. The disability rates are adjusted annually based on the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment, which SSA calculates from the Consumer Price Index.
The administration is yet to announce the COLA 2026 as the September 2025 CPI-W is not released yet. However, many experts have made predictions based on the 2024 third quarter and the CPI-Index of past months.
The prediction forecast the increase of 2.6% to 2.8% COLA for 2026, so, you can expect your VA disability rates to be increased by the same rates. Last year, it was increased by 2.5% COLA and reflected in your payment.
How much can you expect your VA Disability payment to boost?
The predicted COLA 2026 is around 2.6% to 2.8%, which will increase your VA Disability rates by $27 or more depending on the current benefit. The veterans will have the full table on the increased rate, once the department announces it officially.
The VA disability rating is from 10% to 100%, where if you are from 10% to 20% disability rating, you won’t receive additional benefits for dependents, spouse, child, and parent. Now, based on the prediction, you will receive the following VA Disability compensation from 2026:
- 10% – 20% Disability Rating
| Disability percentage | 2026 Pay rates |
| 10% | $180.25 |
| 20% | $356.32 |
- 30% to 100% Disability rating with dependent spouse and parents (no children)
| Dependent | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran | $551.93 | $795.06 | $1131.79 | $1433.62 | $1806.09 | $2100.10 | $2360 | $3934.74 |
| Veteran with Spouse | $617.19 | $882.44 | $1241.27 | $1565.2 | $1959.32 | $2274.84 | $2556.85 | $4154.12 |
| Veteran with one parent and spouse | $669.83 | $951.91 | $1328.64 | $1670.47 | $2082.49 | $2414.85 | $2714.75 | $4330.19 |
| Veteran with two parents and a spouse | $722.46 | $1021.39 | $1416.02 | $1775.74 | $2205.65 | $2554.85 | $2872.66 | $4506.26 |
| Veteran with one parent | $604.56 | $864.54 | $1219.17 | $1538.88 | $1929.85 | $2240.10 | $2517.9 | $4110.81 |
| Veteran with two parents | $657.20 | $934.02 | $1306.54 | $1644.15 | $2053.01 | $2380.11 | $2675.81 | $4286.88 |
| Additionally disabled spouse | $60 | $80 | $100 | $120 | $141.06 | $161.06 | $181.06 | $201.21 |
- 30 to 100% Disability rating with dependent child
| Dependent | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with child | $595.09 | $852.96 | $1204.43 | $1520.99 | $1908.79 | $2216.94 | $2491.59 | $4081.45 |
| Veteran with Spouse and child | $665.62 | $946.65 | $1321.28 | $1660.99 | $2071.96 | $2403.27 | $2701.07 | $4314.78 |
| Veteran with one parent, spouse, and one child | $718.25 | $1016.13 | $1408.65 | $1766.26 | $2195.122 | $2543.27 | $2858.97 | $4490.85 |
| Veteran with two parents, a spouse, and a child | $770.88 | $1085.60 | $1496.02 | $1871.53 | $2318.29 | $2683.28 | $3016.87 | $4666.92 |
| Veteran with one parent and child | $647.72 | $922.44 | $1291.80 | $1626.26 | $2031.96 | $2356.95 | $2649.49 | $4257.52 |
| Veteran with two parents and a child | $700.36 | $991.91 | $1379.17 | $1731.52 | $2155.12 | $2496.96 | $2807.39 | $4433.59 |
When can you expect the VA Disability increase 2026 announcement?
The SSA COLA 2026 announcement is delayed due to federal shutdown as the BLS has not published the September 2025 CPI-W. However, the BLS has confirmed they will announce the September 2025 CPI-W on 24 October 2025, so you can expect the COLA 2026 announcement a few days after it.
The Department of Affairs generally announced the new rates a few weeks after the COLA announcement, so you can expect the announcement in November 2025. The VA disability compensation rates will be effective from December 01, 2025 and will be reflected in your January 2026 payment.
What can affect the VA Disability compensation?
Apart from family situation and disability rating, your VA disability compensation can be affected or reduced in the following conditions:
- You received the disability severance pay, military retirement pay, or separation pay, ot
- You were arrested or jailed for more than 60 days under federal, state, or local facilities.
The VA disability compensation rates will be increased based on the past month’s inflation rates. Veterans will know the rate of increase in a few weeks, after the COLA 2026 announcement.
Disclaimer: VA disability increase details are for informational purposes only. Actual rates and eligibility are determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
