Your VA disability payment is going up 2.7% on January 1, 2026. Here’s what that means for you.
You don’t need to do anything. No forms. No phone calls. No proving you’re still disabled for the hundredth time.
The increase just appears in your January payment.
The official 2026 COLA announcement will be made in mid-October 2025 by the Social Security Administration, with the new rates taking effect December 1, 2025, and appearing in January 1, 2026 VA disability payments. However, the final percentage could vary slightly based on third-quarter inflation data.
The change in rate is based on the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) and is designed to help your benefits keep pace with inflation. It’s based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures the cost of goods and services like food, housing, and healthcare.
This means that if you’re a veteran who is currently receiving $3,831.30 per month (2025 rate for 100% disability) you could see an increase of about $103.45, for a total of approximately $3,934.75 monthly.
What Are the 2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates Based On?
Your monthly payment depends on several factors:
- Disability rating: This ranges from 10% to 100% in 10% increments.
- Number of dependents: Veterans with a combined disability rating of 30% or higher may qualify for additional compensation for dependents (spouse, children, or dependent parents).
- Special circumstances: Severe injuries (like loss of limb) or having a disabled spouse may qualify you for additional compensation.
For Veterans with multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a combined ratings table. This can result in a higher overall rating and increased compensation.
Important Reminders
- VA disability compensation is tax-free and not reported on your tax return.
- Your monthly compensation will automatically increase starting with your January 2026 payment—no action is required on your part.
- If your service-connected condition worsens, you can apply for an increased rating.
- Veterans should review their pay statement in January 2026 to ensure they receive the correct increased amount.
Understanding how your benefits are calculated and adjusted can help you better plan for your financial future. You can learn more about how the VA combines ratings by watching the quick video below.
In this video, Disability Attorney John V. Tucker explains how the VA determines a disability rating when combining two or more ratings together. Unfortunately “VA math” is not simple addition, as one might think, which can often lead to confusion. This video uses a variety of examples to illustrate a complicated system used by the VA to determine an overall disability rating when two or more ratings are combined.
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates
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*** Official and Finalized COLA will be announced by the Social Security Administration in October 2025.
Below are the 2025 VA Disability Pay Rates for comparison.
2025 VA Disability Pay Rates
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How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
Many veterans are frustrated because they feel that they have been underrated by the VA.
In addition, many service-related conditions such as chronic back pain, hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or traumatic brain injury (TBI), among others, may not show up until after active service has ended, placing veterans outside the normal timeframe for applying for disability compensation.
Tucker Disability Law has helped veterans increase their VA disability rating for over 30+ years and we can help you too. If you feel that your disability rating should be higher, or if you’ve been denied a VA claim in the past, we would be happy to discuss your case with you.
Tucker Disability Law: Helping Veterans Nationwide
Veterans who have applied for disability and had their claim denied, have a right to file an appeal.
In addition, Veterans with preexisting conditions that are made worse by their time in service, or who develop service-connected disabilities following their time in the military, may also apply for benefits.
Or maybe you’re one of the thousands of veterans who are frustrated because they feel that they have been underrated by the VA.
Tucker Disability Law has helped veterans in every kind of situation for over 30+ years and we can help you too. Contact us so that we can have a discussion about your specific situation and make sure you’re getting the benefits you deserve.
Use the blue contact section NOW to call us, live chat with us, or message us using our confidential contact form.
Related Posts
- The VA Disability Appeal Timeline and Appeals Process
- How To Appeal a VA Decision | Nationally Recognized Law Firm
- How the VA Disability Effective Date Is Calculated and Assigned
Related Video
- VA Math 101 – How Does the VA Combine Ratings?
- Important Tips – Filing an Application for TDIU With the VA
- What’s the Difference Between VA Schedular 100% Rating and TDIU?
