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2026 VA Disability Pay Chart

Monthly VA disability compensation for every rating and dependent combination, effective December 1, 2025 with the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment.

Updated: December 2025 rates (2.8% COLA)Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs compensation rate tablesOfficial VA rates

10% and 20% disability ratings

Veterans rated 10% or 20% receive a flat monthly amount. Dependents don't change the payment at these ratings.

Disability ratingMonthly paymentPer year
10%$180.42$2,165.04
20%$356.66$4,279.92

30%–100% ratings: veterans without children

Monthly payment in U.S. dollars for a veteran alone, or with a spouse and/or dependent parents.

Dependent status30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Veteran alone (no dependents)552.47795.841,132.901,435.021,808.452,102.152,362.303,938.58
With spouse617.47882.841,241.901,566.021,961.452,277.152,559.304,158.17
With spouse and 1 parent669.47952.841,329.901,671.022,084.452,417.152,717.304,334.41
With spouse and 2 parents721.471,022.841,417.901,776.022,207.452,557.152,875.304,510.65
With 1 parent604.47865.841,220.901,540.021,931.452,242.152,520.304,114.82
With 2 parents656.47935.841,308.901,645.022,054.452,382.152,678.304,291.06

30%–100% ratings: veterans with children

These basic rates already include one child. Add the amounts in the next table for each additional child.

Dependent status30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
With 1 child596.47853.841,205.901,523.021,910.452,219.152,494.304,085.43
With 1 child and spouse666.47947.841,322.901,663.022,074.452,406.152,704.304,318.99
With 1 child, spouse and 1 parent718.471,017.841,410.901,768.022,197.452,546.152,862.304,495.23
With 1 child, spouse and 2 parents770.471,087.841,498.901,873.022,320.452,686.153,020.304,671.47
With 1 child and 1 parent648.47923.841,293.901,628.022,033.452,359.152,652.304,261.67
With 1 child and 2 parents700.47993.841,381.901,733.022,156.452,499.152,810.304,437.91

Added amounts for additional dependents

Add these to the basic rate above. For example, a veteran rated 70% with a spouse and three children under 18 receives $2,074.45 + 2 × $76.00 = $2,226.45 a month.

Dependent status30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Each additional child under 1832.0043.0054.0065.0076.0087.0098.00109.11
Each additional child 18–23 in school105.00140.00176.00211.00246.00281.00317.00352.45
Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance61.0081.00101.00121.00141.00161.00181.00201.41

VA disability rate history

Rates rise every December 1 by the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. Selected monthly rates by year:

EffectiveCOLA10%70% alone100% alone
Dec 1, 20252.8%180.421,808.453,938.58
Dec 1, 20242.5%175.511,759.193,831.30
Dec 1, 20233.2%171.231,716.283,737.85
Dec 1, 20228.7%165.921,663.063,621.95
Dec 1, 20215.9%152.641,529.953,332.06
Dec 1, 20201.3%144.141,444.713,146.42
Dec 1, 20191.6%142.291,426.173,106.04
Dec 1, 20182.8%140.051,403.713,057.13
Dec 1, 2017—136.241,365.482,973.86

Need back pay for past years? The VA back pay calculator uses every year's full table.

Frequently asked questions

How much is 100% VA disability in 2026?

A veteran rated 100% with no dependents receives $3,938.58 a month under the rates effective December 1, 2025. With a spouse it is $4,158.17, and with a spouse and one child $4,318.99.

When did the 2026 VA disability rates take effect?

The current rates took effect on December 1, 2025, with the first payments at the new rate arriving in early January 2026. They reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment.

Why don't dependents change my payment at 10% or 20%?

By law, additional compensation for dependents is paid only to veterans with a combined rating of 30% or higher.

How do I read the chart if I have more than one child?

Start with the basic rate for your rating that includes one child, then add the 'each additional child' amount for every other child — the under-18 amount, or the higher school amount for children 18 to 23 in a qualifying school program.

Is VA disability compensation taxable?

No. VA disability compensation is not taxable income at the federal level.

MilPayLab is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Department of Defense, DFAS, DTMO or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Figures are taken from published government rate tables and are provided for information only, not as financial, legal or tax advice. Your finance office, your LES and your VA decision letter are the final word on what you are paid.

Related tools

VA Disability CalculatorCombine ratings with VA math and see your exact payment.VA Back Pay CalculatorEstimate retroactive pay from your effective date.VA Math ExplainedHow multiple ratings combine into one.