For 2026, veterans got a 2.8% increase in their monthly VA benefits, based on the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). You can see the disability rates below – or, if you don’t want to worry about VA’s complicated (and lengthy) tables, we’ve got a simple tool that will save you time and effort, too!
2026 VA Disability Rates (Without Children)
| Percentage | 2026 Rate |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% (No Dependents) | $356.66 |
30%-60% Disability Rates for Veterans Without Children
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $552.47 | $795.84 | $1,132.90 | $1,435.02 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $617.47 | $882.84 | $1,241.90 | $1,566.02 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $669.47 | $952.84 | $1,329.90 | $1,671.02 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $721.47 | $1,022.84 | $1,417.90 | $1,776.02 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $604.47 | $865.84 | $1,220.90 | $1,540.02 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $656.47 | $935.84 | $1,308.90 | $1,644.73 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $61.00 | $81.00 | $101.00 | $121.00 |
- Veterans at a 30% disability rate without dependents get an increase of 15 dollars, with their monthly compensation going from $537.42 in 2025 to $552.47 in 2026.
- At the higher end, veterans at a 60% disability rate with a spouse and two parents see their compensation increase by roughly 49 dollars, with the monthly amount moving from $1,727.93 in 2025 to $1,776.02 in 2026.
70%-100% Disability Rates for Veterans Without Children
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $1,808.45 | $2,102.15 | $2,362.30 | $3,938.58 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,961.45 | $2,277.15 | $2,559.30 | $4,158.17 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $2,084.45 | $2,417.15 | $2,717.30 | $4,334.41 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $2,207.45 | $2,557.15 | $2,875.30 | $4,510.65 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,931.45 | $2,242.15 | $2,520.30 | $4,114.82 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $2,054.45 | $2,382.15 | $2,678.30 | $4,291.06 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $141.00 | $161.00 | $181.00 | $201.41 |
- A veteran alone at a 70% disability rate see their compensation increase by approximately $49, moving from $1,759.19 in 2025 to $1,808.45 in 2026.
- For a 100% disabled veteran with a spouse and two parents, the increase is significant: approximately 123 dollars, growing from $4,387.79 in 2025 to $4,510.65 in 2026.
2026 Disability Rates for Veterans With Children
There is no extra compensation for dependents at the 10% and 20% level. Veterans rated 10% and 20% receive the same standard compensation as those without children:
| Percentage | 2026 Rate |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% (No Dependents) | $356.66 |
30%-60% Disability Rates for Veterans With Children
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Child Only | $596.47 | $853.84 | $1,205.90 | $1,523.02 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $666.47 | $947.84 | $1,322.90 | $1,663.02 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $718.47 | $1,017.84 | $1,410.90 | $1,768.02 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $770.47 | $1,087.84 | $1,498.90 | $1,873.02 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $648.47 | $923.84 | $1,293.90 | $1,628.02 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $700.47 | $993.84 | $1,381.90 | $1,733.02 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $32.00 | $43.00 | $54.00 | $65.00 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $105.00 | $140.00 | $176.00 | $211.00 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $61.00 | $81.00 | $101.00 | $121.00 |
- A veteran with only one child and a 30% disability rate has an increase of 17 dollars, with their monthly payout moving from $579.42 in 2025 to $596.47 in 2026.
70%-100% Disability Rates for Veterans With Children
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with one Child (no spouse and no parents) | $1,910.45 | $2,219.15 | $2,494.30 | $4,085.43 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child (no parents) | $2,074.45 | $2,406.15 | $2,704.30 | $4,318.99 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and One Child | $2,197.45 | $2,546.15 | $2,862.30 | $4,495.23 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $2,320.45 | $2,686.15 | $3,020.30 | $4,671.47 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $2,033.45 | $2,359.15 | $2,652.30 | $4,261.67 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $2,156.45 | $2,499.15 | $2,810.30 | $4,437.91 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $76.00 | $87.00 | $98.00 | $109.11 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 | $246.00 | $281.00 | $317.00 | $352.45 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $141.00 | $161.00 | $181.00 | $201.41 |
VA Payment Schedule in 2026
As a veteran relying on VA benefits, it’s important to know when you can expect your payments. To help you budget, schedule bill payments and plan for the year ahead, we’ve created a VA Payment Schedule table that lists each month’s payment date along with the day of the week.
- Monthly Payments: VA disability compensation is paid monthly. The payment you receive each month is for the previous month. For example, the payment received in April is for March.
- Scheduled Dates: VA typically deposits payments on the first business day of each month. If the first day of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday, the payment is made on the last business day before the first.
- COLA Increases: Keep in mind that any cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) will be reflected in these payments, ensuring that your benefits keep pace with inflation.
2026 VA Payment Dates
| Month | Payment Date | Day of Week |
| January 2026 | January 30, 2026 | Friday |
| February 2026 | February 27, 2026 | Friday |
| March 2026 | April 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
| April 2026 | May 1, 2026 | Friday |
| May 2026 | June 1, 2026 | Monday |
| June 2026 | July 1, 2026 | Wednesday |
| July 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Friday |
| August 2026 | September 1, 2026 | Tuesday |
| September 2026 | October 1, 2026 | Thursday |
| October 2026 | October 30, 2026 | Friday |
| November 2026 | December 1, 2026 | Tuesday |
| December 2026 | December 31, 2026 | Thursday |
How Does COLA Increase VA Disability Rates?
Every year, your VA compensation increases slightly due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): an annual update set by the Social Security Administration to ensure that benefits keep pace with inflation. This helps maintain the purchasing power of various federal benefits, including veterans’ disability compensation. If prices go up, COLA increases your benefits, so your purchasing power remains the same. COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earnings and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures changes in the prices of goods and services over time.
Does COLA Affect My Taxes?
As a general rule, disability compensation and pension benefits paid to a Veteran or their families are excluded from federal taxable income; military retirement based on disability is also excluded from federal taxable income. DIC benefits are tax-free as well.
What to Do to Receive the 2026 COLA Increase
Nothing! Cost of living adjustments do not require any additional application from benefit recipients. You do not need to request or apply for them. When an increase is determined, benefit recipients will automatically receive it.
COLA and VA Disability Rates Increase History
| 2026 COLA | 2025 COLA | 2024 COLA | 2023 COLA |
| 2.8 percent increase | 2.5 percent increase | 3.2 percent increase | 8.7 percent increase |
How are VA Ratings Calculated?
Every disability that VA recognizes is assigned a percentage. This percentage, ranging from 0% to 100%, reflects how much your disability affects you. A higher percentage means a more severe impact on your daily life and work capabilities.
How Percentages Are Assigned
To assign these percentages, VA looks at specific criteria for each type of disability. These criteria are detailed in VA’s rating schedule, which describes various symptoms and conditions. If you have a knee injury, VA will check how much your knee’s motion is limited and assign a percentage based on that.
VA considers both the medical severity of your condition and how it affects your life. For instance, a condition that causes severe pain and limits your ability to work might receive a higher percentage than a condition with manageable symptoms.
Individual vs. Multiple Disabilities
If you have just one disability, VA gives you a single percentage rating. But if you have multiple disabilities, each gets its own percentage. Then, these are combined using VA’s special formula, not just by adding them up. This is important because the way VA combines percentages can affect your overall disability rating.
Calculate Your Estimated Payments Now
Navigating VA’s complex disability rating tables can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s where our VA Disability Calculator comes in – a tool specifically designed to save you time and effort! With just a few clicks, you can gain insights into:
- Your Expected VA Disability Rating: No more guessing or trying to interpret complicated tables. Our calculator provides a clear estimation of the rating percentage for your specific condition or combined conditions.
- Your Potential Compensation: Understand the financial support you might be eligible for. Our calculator breaks down the compensation tied to various disability ratings, giving you a clear picture of your potential benefits.
Ready to find out what your VA disability rating and compensation could look like? Try our VA Disability Calculator now by clicking here!
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