The Short Version
VA disability compensation rose 2.8% for 2026 under the same COLA formula as Social Security. The new rates took effect December 1, 2025. If you were already on the rolls, the bump should already be in your deposit.
- 100% (veteran alone): $3,938.58 per month
- 50% (veteran alone): $1,132.90 per month
- 10% (veteran alone): $180.42 per month
- Also adjusted: TDIU, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
2026 Rates at a Glance (Veteran Alone)
| Rating | 2026 Monthly Pay |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Dependent add-ons start at 30%. At 10% and 20%, family size does not change the check. Confirm spouse, child, and parent statuses in your VA.gov profile so you are not leaving money on the table.
What COLA Does Not Do
COLA is a price adjustment, not a ratings overhaul. It does not approve a new claim, reopen a denied condition, or change how the VA combines multiple ratings.
If you have toxic-exposure conditions still unclaimed, that is a PACT Act filing problem, not a COLA problem. If you are buying a house with disability compensation in the income stack, pair this with the VA loan guide and a lender who underwrites VA disability correctly.
Housing Math for Disabled Veterans
Tax-free disability pay can strengthen a mortgage file, especially beside retirement pay or a working spouse. It does not replace a payment that still has to clear taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Retirees who are losing BAH should rebuild the budget from retired pay plus disability, not from the last duty-station LES. See retirement real estate before you stretch for the payment you had on active duty.
What To Do Next
- Compare your latest deposit to the VA.gov rate table for your rating and dependency status.
- Update marriage, divorce, and dependent child records if anything changed in the last year.
- If a condition is still unclaimed, talk to a VSO before you assume the COLA is your only lever.
- If you are house-hunting, bring the current award letter to a VA-savvy lender and agent match.
The 2.8% raise is real money. It is not a substitute for fixing an under-rated claim or a dependency error.
