VA disability compensation rates are tied to the Social Security COLA under 38 U.S.C. § 5312. Each year, the Social Security Administration announces the COLA based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The VA is then required by law to apply that same percentage increase to disability compensation rates.
For 2026, SSA announced a 2.8% COLA increase. This is lower than the 3.2% in 2025 and the 8.7% spike in 2023, reflecting moderation in inflation. Every veteran receiving VA disability compensation — regardless of rating level — received this increase automatically. No action is required on your part.
COLA rate: 2.8% | Effective date: December 1, 2025 | First payment: December 31, 2025 | No action required for current recipients
| Rating | 2025 Monthly Rate | 2026 Monthly Rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $171.23 | $175.51 | +$4.28 |
| 20% | $338.49 | $346.95 | +$8.46 |
| 30% | $524.31 | $537.42 | +$13.11 |
| 40% | $755.28 | $774.16 | +$18.88 |
| 50% | $1,075.16 | $1,102.04 | +$26.88 |
| 60% | $1,361.88 | $1,395.93 | +$34.05 |
| 70% | $1,716.28 | $1,759.19 | +$42.91 |
| 80% | $1,995.01 | $2,044.89 | +$49.88 |
| 90% | $2,241.91 | $2,297.96 | +$56.05 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 | $3,831.30 | +$93.45 |
Rates for single veterans with no dependents. All figures approximate — verify exact rates at va.gov/disability/compensation-rates.
| Rating | 2026 Rate (With Spouse) | vs. No Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | $601.58 | +$64.16 |
| 40% | $854.87 | +$80.71 |
| 50% | $1,197.50 | +$95.46 |
| 60% | $1,507.94 | +$112.01 |
| 70% | $1,887.18 | +$127.99 |
| 80% | $2,189.34 | +$144.45 |
| 90% | $2,458.87 | +$160.91 |
| 100% | $4,046.25 | +$214.95 |
Veterans receiving Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are paid at the 100% rate regardless of their combined rating percentage. The 2026 TDIU rate is $3,831.30/month for a single veteran — the same as the 100% rate. With a spouse, the TDIU rate is approximately $4,046.25/month.
Special Monthly Compensation rates also increased 2.8% for 2026. SMC is additional compensation for veterans with severe disabilities such as loss of use of a limb, blindness, the need for aid and attendance, or housebound status. SMC rates range from approximately $119/month (SMC-K, loss of a creative organ) to over $9,000/month for the most severe combinations. If you're rated at 100% or have severe loss of function in multiple areas, SMC eligibility is worth reviewing with a VA attorney.
The 2026 COLA increase was applied automatically to all VA disability payments starting December 31, 2025. If you were receiving $1,716/month at 70% in November 2025, your December 2025 payment should have reflected the new rate of $1,759. If you believe you didn't receive the correct amount, contact your VA regional office or check your payment history at va.gov.
The 2.8% COLA is automatic — everyone gets it. But many veterans are still receiving the wrong base rate because their rating itself is too low. A veteran at 50% who should be at 70% is receiving $1,102/month instead of $1,759/month. The COLA increases both numbers by 2.8%, but the gap remains.
If your conditions have worsened since your last rating, or if you believe your original rating didn't fully capture your functional impairment, a supplemental claim for an increase is worth filing. VA compensation for a successful increase request is retroactive to the date you filed — not just going forward.
The COLA adjustment is not the same as a rating increase. A COLA increases the dollar value of your existing rating by a small percentage. A rating increase changes your rating percentage — which produces a much larger increase in monthly pay. A jump from 50% to 70%, for example, adds over $650/month — far more than any annual COLA adjustment.
The 2027 COLA will be announced by SSA in October 2026 and applied to VA disability rates effective December 1, 2026. Based on current inflation trends, analysts project the 2027 COLA to be in the 2–3% range, though the actual figure won't be confirmed until the October announcement. Veterans don't need to do anything — COLA adjustments are applied automatically.
Editorial Standards: This article was written by Marcus J. Webb, a veterans benefits researcher who has studied 38 CFR Part 4, the VA M21-1 Adjudication Manual, and thousands of BVA decisions. Content is verified against current 38 CFR regulations and VA.gov guidance. Last reviewed: April 2026. Not legal advice — for representation on your specific claim, talk to a VA-accredited attorney.
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