VA Disability Pay Rates 2026 Updated Ratings, Dependents, and Monthly Pay
The 2026 VA Disability Pay Rates Chart shows the updated monthly payments veterans receive for service-connected disabilities. The rates include a 2.7% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase that took effect on December 1, 2025, and is paid starting January 1, 2026. The chart shows pay amounts from 10% to 100% based on dependent status.
2026 VA Disability Rates – No Dependents (10%–20%)
| Rating | Monthly Payment (No Dependents) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.47 |
| 20% | $356.74 |
Veterans do not receive extra compensation for dependents with ratings of 10%–20%.
2026 VA Disability Rates – Based on With Children – Veteran With One Child Only (No Spouse or Parents)
| Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran With One Child Only (no spouse or parents) |
$595.84 | $854.04 | $1,205.95 | $1,522.92 | $1,911.22 | $2,219.76 | $2,494.75 | $4,086.63 |
2026 VA Disability Rates – Based on Veteran With One Child – Additional Parent Combinations
| Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran With One Child, Spouse and Two Parents | $771.86 | $1,086.98 | $1,497.92 | $1,873.80 | $2,321.23 | $2,686.68 | $3,020.69 | $4,672.84 |
| Veteran With One Child and One Parent (no spouse) |
$648.54 | $923.61 | $1,293.43 | $1,628.32 | $2,034.54 | $2,359.94 | $2,652.84 | $4,262.92 |
2026 VA Disability Rates – Based on One Child (Two Parents, No Spouse) & Additional Child Under Age 18
| Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran With One Child and Two Parents (no spouse) |
$701.25 | $993.17 | $1,380.92 | $1,733.72 | $2,157.85 | $2,500.12 | $2,810.95 | $4,439.22 |
| Each Additional Child Under Age 18 (ADD) | $32.68 | $43.22 | $53.75 | $65.35 | $75.89 | $86.43 | $98.03 | $109.14 |
2026 VA Disability Rates – Based on Additional Dependents & Aid and Attendance
| Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each Additional Child Over 18 in a Qualifying School Program (ADD) | $105.40 | $140.19 | $176.02 | $210.80 | $246.63 | $281.42 | $317.26 | $352.56 |
| Spouse Receiving Aid and Attendance (ADD) | $60.08 | $80.11 | $100.13 | $120.16 | $141.23 | $161.26 | $181.29 | $201.47 |
Understanding the 2026 VA Disability Pay Rates
The VA raises disability compensation each year based on inflation. This increase follows the Social Security COLA rate, which protects veterans from rising costs. For 2026, the adjustment is 2.7%, which means most veterans will see a slightly higher monthly payment.
These increases apply automatically. Veterans do not need to file anything extra to receive the updated amount.
This chart helps veterans see exactly how much they should receive based on:
Disability rating
Marital status
Dependent parents
Dependent children
Aid and Attendance (A/A) for spouse
Clear numbers help veterans avoid mistakes, spot issues, and confirm the VA paid the correct amount.
VA Pay Rates for 2026: What’s New This Year
The 2026 update reflects stable pay growth. The VA continues to refine its payment calculations to support veterans and their families. The COLA increase protects purchasing power for things like:
Housing
Utilities
Medical needs
Food
Transportation
Even a small increase adds up over time.
Veterans with higher ratings or more dependents see the biggest increases.
Key Highlights of the 2026 VA Pay Chart
Ratings of 10% and 20% receive no extra pay for dependents.
Ratings 30% to 100% include dependent categories.
Spouses who need Aid and Attendance receive extra pay.
Children under 18 and children in school also increase the total.
Parents can be counted as dependents if they meet VA rules.
These details matter because a veteran may be missing pay if the VA does not list all dependents.
2026 VA Pay for Veterans With Children
If a veteran has children, the VA adds more to the base rating. This helps families cover child-related costs like food, child care, clothing, and medical visits.
Children over 18 who attend school full-time also qualify.
Why VA Pay Rates Change Each Year
The pay changes because the federal government adjusts Social Security benefits each year. Inflation affects everything from rent to groceries. COLA ensures veterans stay protected when living costs rise.
The VA uses the same COLA formula to match that change. This is why the exact percentage changes from year to year.
How to Verify Your 2026 VA Disability Payment
Veterans can confirm their new payment through:
VA.gov account
eBenefits portal
Direct deposit statements
VA award letters
Annual COLA notice
If amounts do not match the new chart, a veteran may need to correct their dependent information.
Common Issues Veterans Face With VA Payments
Some veterans find problems such as:
Missing dependents
Wrong rating percentage
Delayed updates
Incorrect school verification for students
A spouse’s Aid and Attendance not listed
These issues can delay or reduce the correct payment. Understanding the chart helps veterans identify errors sooner.
How Warrior Allegiance Helps Veterans With VA Claims
Warrior Allegiance specializes in helping veterans increase ratings, fix denied claims, and submit stronger evidence. Their team builds clear medical documentation and organizes complete VA claim packets so veterans receive accurate ratings and correct pay from the VA.
Their support includes:
Reviewing medical history
Collecting evidence
Connecting with approved medical providers
Organizing DBQs
Submitting completed VA packets
Helping veterans navigate every step
A veteran’s fight becomes their mission, with no upfront costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA Disability Pay Rates Chart 2026?
It is the updated list of monthly tax-free payments veterans receive based on disability rating and dependent status.
What is the 2026 VA COLA increase?
The increase for 2026 is 2.7%.
Do veterans with 10% or 20% get dependent pay?
No. Only ratings of 30% or higher receive dependent pay.
Does the VA automatically update payment amounts?
Yes, the VA applies the new rates automatically.
Is VA disability pay tax-free?
Yes. VA disability compensation is always tax-free.