2027 VA Disability Compensation Rates (Provisional): What the 3.6% COLA Means

The monthly compensation amounts are written into federal law at 38 U.S.C. § 1114. Because the dollar figures are set by statute, compensation does not rise on its own. Congress usually passes a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) law each year that raises them by the Social Security percentage.

For this year, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 was introduced in the Senate as S. 4487 and in the House as H.R. 8552. The Senate bill, as introduced, would:

• Take effect on December 1, 2026.
• Raise disability compensation under § 1114, the additional amounts for dependents under § 1115(1), the clothing allowance under § 1162, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and children.
• Use the same percentage as the Social Security increase.
• Require VA to publish the new amounts in the Federal Register.

Check the bill pages for their current status. A bill is not law until it passes both chambers and is signed. VA's own rates page says VA matches the Social Security COLA percentage.

VA pension works differently. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5312, the maximum pension rates rise automatically by the Social Security percentage, on the same date, without a separate act of Congress.

The figures below take VA's current rates for a Veteran with no dependents (effective December 1, 2025) and apply 3.6 percent. The results are rounded to the cent. VA's published amounts may differ slightly.

• 10% combined rating: $180.42 now, about $186.92 in 2027 (an increase of $6.50 a month).
• 20% combined rating: $356.66 now, about $369.50 in 2027 (an increase of $12.84 a month).
• 30% combined rating: $552.47 now, about $572.36 in 2027 (an increase of $19.89 a month).
• 40% combined rating: $795.84 now, about $824.49 in 2027 (an increase of $28.65 a month).
• 50% combined rating: $1,132.90 now, about $1,173.68 in 2027 (an increase of $40.78 a month).
• 60% combined rating: $1,435.02 now, about $1,486.68 in 2027 (an increase of $51.66 a month).
• 70% combined rating: $1,808.45 now, about $1,873.55 in 2027 (an increase of $65.10 a month).
• 80% combined rating: $2,102.15 now, about $2,177.83 in 2027 (an increase of $75.68 a month).
• 90% combined rating: $2,362.30 now, about $2,447.34 in 2027 (an increase of $85.04 a month).
• 100% combined rating: $3,938.58 now, about $4,080.37 in 2027 (an increase of $141.79 a month).

A Veteran with a spouse and no other dependents receives more at 30 percent and above. For example, the current 100 percent rate with a spouse is $4,158.17. With a 3.6 percent increase, that would be about $4,307.86. Special monthly compensation (SMC) amounts are also in § 1114, so they would rise by the same percentage. See SMC-K and SMC-S for how those payments work.

A table shows the rate for a rating. It does not show what VA owes in a particular case. Common reasons the numbers differ:

• Combined ratings are not added. VA combines several ratings with its whole-person method, then rounds. Two 50 percent ratings do not make 100 percent. Our combined rating calculator shows the math step by step.
• Dependents count only at 30 percent or more. VA's tables add nothing for dependents at 10 or 20 percent. And they count only if VA has your dependency information and the right start dates on file.
• Back pay crosses rate years. A retroactive award is paid at the rate in effect for each month. A period that spans several Decembers uses several different rates.
• Other payments can reduce the amount. Military retired pay, separation pay, withholding, an apportionment to a family member, or earlier payments can change the net amount.

If you are estimating back pay, use the rate table for each year in the period, not just the newest one. Our guide to effective dates and continuous pursuit explains how VA picks the start date.

• Find your combined rating and the dependents VA lists in your most recent award letter. Our guide to reading your decision letter shows where they appear.
• Look up your current rate on VA's rate tables (linked under Primary sources below).
• Multiply by 1.036 for a rough 2027 estimate.
• When VA publishes the official 2027 tables, compare them with your first payment at the new rate.
• If the payment doesn't match, check whether VA has your current rating and dependents right before assuming the COLA was applied incorrectly.

The final figures depend on a COLA law being enacted and on VA publishing its new tables. VA posts current tables on its compensation rates page. We will update this page with the official 2027 amounts once VA releases them.

This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Rates shown for 2027 are estimates, and no particular payment amount is guaranteed.