Effective: December 1, 2025. COLA: 2.8%. Source: 38 U.S.C. 1114.
Use our free VA combined rating calculator to calculate your exact combined rating and see your 2026 monthly pay instantly.
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates - Veteran Alone (No Dependents)
These are the base rates for a veteran with no dependents. All payments are completely tax-free at the federal level under 38 U.S.C. 5301 and tax-free in all 50 states.
| Rating | Monthly Pay (2026) | Annual Pay (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $2,106.12 |
| 20% | $346.95 | $4,163.40 |
| 30% | $508.05 | $6,096.60 |
| 40% | $731.86 | $8,782.32 |
| 50% | $1,040.62 | $12,487.44 |
| 60% | $1,319.65 | $15,835.80 |
| 70% | $1,663.06 | $19,956.72 |
| 80% | $1,933.15 | $23,197.80 |
| 90% | $2,172.39 | $26,068.68 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 | $44,854.20 |
Important: Veterans rated at 10% or 20% do not receive additional compensation for dependents. Dependent add-ons begin at the 30% rating tier and above.
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates - With Spouse (No Children)
Veterans rated 30% or higher receive additional monthly compensation for a spouse. The spouse add-on increases at each rating tier.
| Rating | Veteran Alone | With Spouse | Spouse Add-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | $508.05 | $569.00 | +$60.95 |
| 40% | $731.86 | $810.53 | +$78.67 |
| 50% | $1,040.62 | $1,140.14 | +$99.52 |
| 60% | $1,319.65 | $1,436.97 | +$117.32 |
| 70% | $1,663.06 | $1,798.43 | +$135.37 |
| 80% | $1,933.15 | $2,086.51 | +$153.36 |
| 90% | $2,172.39 | $2,343.75 | +$171.36 |
| 100% | $3,737.85 | $3,946.25 | +$208.40 |
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates - With Spouse and One Child
| Rating | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|
| 30% | $617.00 |
| 40% | $871.53 |
| 50% | $1,209.14 |
| 60% | $1,521.97 |
| 70% | $1,882.43 |
| 80% | $2,184.51 |
| 90% | $2,441.75 |
| 100% | $4,079.25 |
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates - With Child Only (No Spouse)
| Rating | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|
| 30% | $553.00 |
| 40% | $786.53 |
| 50% | $1,101.14 |
| 60% | $1,381.97 |
| 70% | $1,731.43 |
| 80% | $2,001.51 |
| 90% | $2,248.75 |
| 100% | $3,876.25 |
How Much Did Pay Increase From 2025 to 2026?
The 2.8% COLA increase took effect December 1, 2025. Here is what each major rating tier gained:
| Rating | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | Monthly Increase | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $170.73 | $175.51 | +$4.78 | +$57.36 |
| 30% | $494.22 | $508.05 | +$13.83 | +$165.96 |
| 50% | $1,012.28 | $1,040.62 | +$28.34 | +$340.08 |
| 70% | $1,617.73 | $1,663.06 | +$45.33 | +$543.96 |
| 100% | $3,636.96 | $3,737.85 | +$100.89 | +$1,210.68 |
The increase was applied automatically. No veteran needed to file a claim, call the VA, or take any action. The adjusted amount appeared in the first payment of January 2026.
Key Rules Every Veteran Needs to Know
Rule 1 - 10% and 20% ratings have no dependent add-ons
Veterans rated at 10% or 20% receive a flat monthly rate regardless of how many dependents they have. Dependent compensation begins at the 30% tier and increases at each rating level from there.
Rule 2 - All VA disability compensation is tax-free
VA disability compensation is completely exempt from federal income tax under 38 U.S.C. 5301. It is also exempt from state income tax in all 50 states. It does not count as earned income and does not affect your federal tax bracket.
Rule 3 - Payments are made on the first business day of each month
VA disability compensation is paid in arrears. Your January payment covers December benefits. If the first of the month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is issued on the last business day of the previous month.
Rule 4 - TDIU pays at the 100% rate regardless of combined rating
Veterans granted Total Disability Individual Unemployability receive compensation at the full 100% rate even if their combined schedular rating is lower.
Rule 5 - Dependent add-ons stack
If you have a spouse and children, both add-ons apply. The spouse add-on and child add-on are calculated separately and added to your base rate.
What Your 2026 Rating Means in Real Terms
At 30% ($508.05/month)
Covers a car payment or a utility bill. Most veterans at this tier are still working full-time. The primary value here is the healthcare and benefits access rather than the compensation alone.
At 50% ($1,040.62/month)
Meaningfully supplements income. At this tier you also unlock important benefits including VA healthcare priority group 1, potential property tax exemptions in many states, and stronger TDIU eligibility if employed.
At 70% ($1,663.06/month)
A major threshold. At 70% you qualify for free VA healthcare, commissary access in some cases, and are eligible for TDIU if you cannot work.
At 100% ($3,737.85/month)
The highest standard compensation tier. At 100% you receive full VA healthcare at no cost, commissary and PX access, property tax exemptions in most states, Chapter 35 dependents education benefits, and CHAMPVA healthcare for dependents.
How to Increase Your Rating and Monthly Pay
If your current rating does not accurately reflect your service-connected disabilities, you have options.
File a Supplemental Claim
Use this path if you have new and relevant evidence, such as a new medical opinion, updated treatment records, or a nexus letter connecting a condition to your service.
Request a Higher-Level Review
Use this path if you believe the VA made a legal or factual error in the existing rating decision. No new evidence is submitted.
Add secondary conditions
Many veterans are service-connected for a primary condition but have not filed for conditions caused or aggravated by that primary condition. These secondary connections can add meaningful points to your combined rating.
Check your combined rating calculation
The VA sometimes makes errors in applying VA math. Use the free combined rating calculator to verify your current combined rating.
How the 2026 COLA Is Calculated
The 2.8% increase is not set by the VA. It is tied directly to the Social Security Administration annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment, calculated based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
The SSA announced the 2.8% COLA on October 24, 2025. The VA is legally required under federal law to apply the same COLA percentage to disability compensation rates. New rates took effect December 1, 2025 and remain in effect until the next COLA adjustment takes effect December 1, 2026.
Pay Rate by Rating - Quick Reference
If you know your combined rating and want to find your pay quickly:
| Rating | 2026 Monthly Pay |
|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51/month |
| 30% | $508.05/month |
| 50% | $1,040.62/month |
| 70% | $1,663.06/month |
| 100% | $3,737.85/month |
Not sure what your combined rating is? Use the VA combined rating calculator to find out.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Is VA disability pay taxable in 2026?
No. VA disability compensation is completely tax-free at the federal level under 38 U.S.C. 5301 and exempt from state income tax in all 50 states. It does not count as earned income.
+Do I need to apply to receive the 2026 COLA increase?
No. The 2.8% COLA increase was applied automatically to all veterans rated 10% or higher. No action, phone call, or claim was required.
+Can I receive VA disability pay and Social Security at the same time?
Yes. VA disability compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security retirement benefits can be received simultaneously. They are separate programs and do not offset each other.
+When did the 2026 VA disability rates take effect?
December 1, 2025. The first payment at the new 2026 rates appeared in veterans accounts in early January 2026, covering December 2025 benefits.
+What is the maximum VA disability pay in 2026?
The maximum standard compensation rate is $3,737.85/month for a veteran rated at 100% with no dependents. Veterans with dependents or severe disabilities may qualify for higher compensation.
+Does TDIU pay the same as 100% in 2026?
Yes. Veterans granted TDIU receive compensation at the full 100% rate even if their combined schedular rating is lower.
+What VA benefits does my rating unlock beyond monthly pay?
Each rating tier unlocks different benefits beyond compensation, including VA health care priority, state benefits, commissary access in some cases, and dependent benefits at higher ratings.
Legal reference: 2026 VA disability compensation rates are set under 38 U.S.C. 1114 and 38 CFR Part 3. COLA calculation is tied to the Social Security Administration annual adjustment per the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act. All rates effective December 1, 2025.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Rates shown are based on publicly available VA compensation tables. Always verify your exact payment with the VA or a VA-accredited representative.
Last updated: May 2026