2026 VA Disability Rates & COLA Increase
Below, we break down what Veterans can expect, how the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) affects payments, what changes mean for dependents, and how you can prepare now.
If throughout this reading you realize your conditions may have worsened or you need to file additional claims, please note ForTheVeteran’s team of in-house nurses and medical professionals are here to help you today. No long process, no upfront payments, only strategic claim strategies that help you maximize the benefits you deserve!
Who This Page Is For
This resource is designed for:
Veterans currently receiving VA disability compensation
Veterans planning to file a new VA claim
Veterans considering a rating increase
Families of Veterans who rely on VA disability benefits
Veterans with dependents or spouses, who will see additional impacts from 2026 rate changes
2026 VA disability Rate Change and How the Increase is Determined
The annual increase is based on one key factor. The VA changes compensation every year by matching the Social Security Administration Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This percentage is designed to keep Veterans disability payments aligned with rising costs across the country.
COLA is calculated by studying inflation trends, national economic data, and changes in the average cost of goods. Their goal is to ensure you can still afford your milk, eggs, and the other essentials. These measurements come from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, commonly known as CPI W. When the costs of everyday living rises, the COLA percentage rises with it. If the economy stabilizes, the COLA percentage may remain modest for that year.
Once the Social Security Administration announces the new COLA percentage in October of each year, the VA adopts that increase and applies it to the upcoming year’s disability compensation rates. This means that the projected change for 2026 will directly reflect the final COLA announcement. Veterans can typically expect a slight increase each year, which helps ensure that their monthly compensation continues to meet the real world living costs, as noted earlier.
Even a small COLA increase can add up significantly over 12 months, especially for Veterans rated 30% or higher with dependents. Veterans with a spouse, children, dependent parents should receive additional monthly compensation. Any COLA increase applies to those rates as well. Higher ratings, including 70%, 80% 90%, and 100% see the most notable monthly increases because the base compensation is larger. Veterans receiving Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) will see increases with the 100% rate.
The change for 2026 Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) disability rates is a 2.8% increase.
2026 VA Disability Pay Chart
| Disability % | Veteran Alone | Veteran with Spouse | Veteran, Spouse & One Parent | Veteran, Spouse and Two Parents | Veteran with One Parent | Veteran with Two Parents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $3,737.85 | $3,946.25 | $4,113.51 | $4,280.77 | $3,905.11 | $4,072.37 |
| 90% | $2,241.91 | $2,428.91 | $2,578.91 | $2,728.91 | $2,391.91 | $2,541.91 |
| 80% | $1,995.01 | $2,161.01 | $2,294.01 | $2,427.01 | $2,128.01 | $2,261.01 |
| 70% | $1,716.28 | $1,861.28 | $1,978.28 | $2,095.28 | $1,833.28 | $1,950.28 |
| 60% | $1,361.88 | $1,486.88 | $1,586.88 | $1,686.88 | $1,461.88 | $1,561.88 |
| 50% | $1,075.16 | $1,179.16 | $1,262.16 | $1,345.16 | $1,158.16 | $1,241.16 |
| 40% | $755.28 | $838.28 | $904.28 | $970.28 | $821.28 | $887.28 |
| 30% | $524.31 | $586.31 | $636.31 | $686.31 | $574.31 | $624.31 |
2026 VA Disability Rates WITHOUT CHILDREN
| Disability % | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional For A/A Spouses | $195.92 | $176.00 | $157.00 | $137.00 | $117.00 | $98.00 | $78.00 | $58.00 |
VETERANS WITH RATINGS OF 10%-20% DO NOT RECEIVE EXTRA COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS:
• 10% RATE = $175.51 • 20% RATE = $346.95
2026 VA DISABILITY RATES WITh CHILDREN
| Disability % | Veteran and Child | Veteran, Spouse, & Child | Veteran, Spouse, Child, One Parent | Veteran, Spouse, Child, Two Parents | Veteran, Child, One Parent | Veteran, Child, Two Parents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $3,877.22 | $4,098.88 | $4,266.13 | $4,433.39 | $4,044.48 | $4,211.74 |
| 90% | $2,442.51 | $2,565.95 | $2,715.59 | $2,865.23 | $2,516.42 | $2,666.06 |
| 80% | $2,106.47 | $2,282.94 | $2,416.07 | $2,549.19 | $2,239.59 | $2,372.72 |
| 70% | $1,813.29 | $1,968.09 | $2,084.70 | $2,201.32 | $1,929.90 | $2,046.52 |
| 60% | $1,445.47 | $1,577.57 | $1,677.67 | $1,777.77 | $1,545.57 | $1,645.68 |
| 50% | $1,144.30 | $1,254.72 | $1,338.32 | $1,421.91 | $1,227.89 | $1,311.49 |
| 40% | $811.01 | $898.73 | $964.78 | $1,030.82 | $877.06 | $943.10 |
| 30% | $565.59 | $631.64 | $681.17 | $730.71 | $615.12 | $664.66 |
| Disability % | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $106.14 | $95.00 | $84.00 | $74.00 | $63.00 | $53.00 | $42.00 | $31.00 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $342.85 | $308.00 | $274.00 | $239.00 | $205.00 | $171.00 | $137.00 | $102.00 |
Married Veterans
A COLA increase typically results in higher monthly compensation for married Veterans compared to single Veterans since spousal allowances also increase.
Veterans With Children
The more dependent children you have, the greater the total increase. This includes minor children, children over 18 attending school, and permanently disabled adult children.
Veterans With Dependent Parents
Additional compensation also adjusts for Veterans supporting dependent parents, increaseing proportionally with COLA.
How the 2026 Rates Affect Veterans With Dependents
What these changes mean for you
The annual COLA increase is meant to protect your buying power as costs rise nationwide. For many Veterans, even a 2-4% increase can:
Improve monthly financial stability
Offset rising healthcare and living costs
Provide additional support for dependents
Increase long-term compensation, especially if you remain rated for decades
If you think you might deserve more than your currently getting from the VA due to new or worsening conditions, this is a good time to review your claim(s). Our team of nurses are the most qualified in the industry to help you create a detailed claim strategy that’ll help maximize your VA disability rating.
What truly sets ForTheVeteran apart is our claims are prepared by real medical professionals, something no other company in our industry can claim. Our team is staffed with licensed nurses, some of whom are also Veterans, and the rest have meaningful ties to the military community.
This means you are not just working with people who are qualified. You are working with people who understand you. We know the military lifestyle, the challenges that follow service, and the importance of securing the benefits you earned. Every claim we prepare is built on clear medical rationale, never generic templates or guesswork. Our strategic claims approach gives you the strongest possible foundation for a successful claim.
Still unsure? See what other Veterans have shared about working with our team in their reviews.
Ready to receive what you deserve in 2026? We can help. Let’s see if you qualify.
How ForTheVeteran helps you maximize your benefits
FAQs
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Yes, in the United States, VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) disability benefits are generally not subject to federal income tax. These benefits are provided to compensate veterans for disabilities or injuries incurred or aggravated during active military service.
VA disability benefits typically include monthly payments to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 10% or higher. These payments are tax-free and are not reported as taxable income on federal tax returns. Additionally, most states also exempt VA disability benefits from state income taxes, but it's essential to verify the specific regulations in your state.
However, other benefits or compensations received from the VA that are not related to disability, such as education, housing grants, or retirement pay, might be taxable. It's recommended to consult with a tax professional or the IRS for personalized guidance regarding your specific situation.
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A veteran has various options to increase their VA disability rating. ForTheVeteran is a respected, veteran-owned, and operated organization dedicated to diligently aiding veterans in attaining the disability rating they rightfully qualify for when submitting their claims.
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The VA provides specific benefits for survivors and dependents of deceased veterans. A veteran's spouse may be eligible for Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits if:
1. The cause of the veteran's death was due to service.
2. The veteran's death resulted from a non-service-related injury or disease, and the veteran was receiving or entitled to receive VA Compensation for a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately before death.
3. The veteran received total disability benefits for at least five years following their release from active duty immediately preceding death.
4. The veteran was a former prisoner of war who passed away after September 30, 1999, and was receiving benefits for at least one year before death.
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A veteran's service-connected disability doesn't automatically extend to their surviving spouse. However, the surviving spouse might qualify for a death pension based on income or Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation:Benefits are paid to a spouse, dependent children, or dependent parents of a veteran in the event of the veteran's passing due to a service-connected disability or if the veteran has been rated as totally disabled because of a service-connected condition for a period lasting ten years or more.
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Absolutely, a veteran has the potential to receive VA service-connected disability benefits as well as Social Security benefits simultaneously. Nevertheless, it's crucial to understand that eligibility for one doesn't automatically guarantee eligibility for the other. Typically, a veteran cannot concurrently receive both a VA pension and Social Security benefits.