2027 VA Disability Pay Rates and COLA: Full Pay Chart

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VA disability pay rates for 2027 will increase by 3.6 percent, in line with the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). A veteran with a 100 percent rating and no dependents will receive $4,080.37 per month, up from $3,938.58 in 2026.

2027 VA COLA at a Glance

On October 14, 2026, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 benefit payments. VA disability payments increase by the same percentage once Congress passes, and the president signs, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026. The new VA rates will take effect December 1, 2026.

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2027 VA Disability Compensation Rates (After 3.6% COLA Increase)

Single Veterans (No Dependents)

The table below shows 2027 compensation rates for veterans with no dependents, compared with 2026 rates. Veterans rated 10 or 20 percent receive the same amount whether or not they have dependents. You can see the current year’s compensation rates on VA’s current rate table.

Veterans With Spouse or Dependent Parents (No Children)

Veterans rated 30 percent or higher with a dependent spouse or parent can use the charts below or the infographic to find their 2027 monthly rate. If a spouse requires Aid & Attendance, add the amount in the last row.

Veterans With Dependent Children

Veterans rated 30 percent or higher with dependent children can use the table below to find their expected VA compensation rate. Start with the row that matches your dependents, then find the column for your disability rating. Add the amounts in the last three rows for each additional child or a spouse who needs Aid & Attendance.

VA Disability Pay Chart 2027

How Does the 2027 COLA Affect TDIU, SMC, and DIC?

• TDIU: Veterans receiving total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are paid at the 100 percent rate, so these payments increase by the same percentage.
• SMC: All Special Monthly Compensation levels increase by the same COLA percentage.
• DIC: Surviving spouses and other beneficiaries receiving DIC benefits see their monthly payments increase by the same COLA percentage.

How Is the VA COLA Calculated?

Yearly VA disability compensation increases are tied to the COLA set by the Social Security Administration. The SSA calculates the COLA using the following method:

• Baseline: The average Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for July, August, and September of the last year a COLA was set (Q3 2025).
• Comparison: The average CPI-W for July, August, and September of the current year (Q3 2026).
• Formula: [(Q3 2026 CPI-W − Q3 2025 CPI-W) ÷ Q3 2025 CPI-W] × 100, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, calculates the COLA.
• Application: Congress then passes, and the president signs, a bill instructing VA to raise disability compensation by the same percentage, effective December 1.

Have VA’s Cost-of-Living Adjustments Kept Up With Inflation?

Mostly. From 2017 to 2026, each COLA landed within 1.2 percentage points of the prior year’s inflation rate. The table below compares each year’s COLA with the inflation rate from the year before, measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) annual average.

When Will the 2027 COLA Rates Begin?

First Increased Payment Date: December 31, 2026

• Effective date: December 1, 2026.
• First payment reflecting new rates: December 31, 2026. VA pays on the last business day of the prior month when the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, and January 1, 2027 is a federal holiday.
• See CCK’s 2027 VA payment schedule for every 2027 pay date.

2027 VA Payment Schedule

Because January 1, 2027, is a federal holiday, the payment for December 2026 arrives on December 31, 2026. No VA disability deposit is scheduled in January 2027 as a result.

How Does COLA Affect Retroactive Awards (Back Pay)?

VA pays back pay at the rates in effect for each period the benefits cover. VA’s compensation rates run from December 1 through November 30. This means payments for each December are made at the following year’s rates.

Veterans can estimate their back pay by adding up the monthly payments they would have received from their effective date until VA began paying, or by using a VA disability back pay calculator.

For example:

• Say a veteran receives back pay covering 2024, 2025, and 2026.
• VA would pay at the rate in effect for each period: 2024 rates for 2024, 2025 rates for 2025, and 2026 rates for 2026.
• Future monthly payments use the current rate. VA’s systems implement these adjustments automatically.

What If the COLA Increase Is Not Enough?

Veterans facing financial hardship despite COLA increases may have options to increase their compensation.

Appealing Your Rating or Filing for an Increase

A higher disability rating can mean significantly more monthly compensation.

• Claim for increased rating: If a service-connected condition has gotten worse since VA rated it, veterans can file a new claim for an increased rating of their current service-connected condition(s).
• Supplemental Claim: Veterans who disagree with VA’s decision and have new and relevant evidence to submit can file a Supplemental Claim that may support a higher rating. Veterans should generally file a Supplemental claim within one year of the date on the decision letter to keep the original effective date.
• Higher-Level Review or Board appeal: Veterans who disagree with a VA decision can request a Higher-Level Review or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). Generally, both must be requested within one year of the date on the decision letter.
• Secondary service connection: According to VA’s Annual Benefits Report for fiscal year 2025, veterans receiving VA disability compensation had an average of 7.34 service-connected disabilities each. Any condition caused or worsened by a service-connected disability can also be service connected, potentially raising a veteran’s combined rating.

Additional VA Benefits To Explore

• Aid & Attendance (A&A): Veterans who need help with daily activities due to service-connected conditions may qualify for a higher monthly compensation rate through Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
• TDIU: Veterans who are unable to work due to service-connected disabilities may qualify for compensation at the 100 percent rate, even if their combined rating is lower than 100 percent.
• Housebound benefits: Veterans with a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling may qualify for additional compensation if they are substantially confined to their home due to service-connected disabilities.

Do You Need Assistance With Complex Cases Like Delayed Appeals, A&A, TDIU, or SMC?

Frequently Asked Questions About VA COLA for 2027

Do veterans need to apply for the 2027 COLA increase?

No. VA applies the COLA automatically to disability compensation, DIC, and VA pension. Veterans rated 30 percent or higher should confirm their spouse, children, and dependent parents are on their VA award, because VA pays dependent amounts only for dependents it has on file.

Why is there no VA disability payment in January 2027?

January 1, 2027, is a federal holiday, so VA sends the payment for December 2026 early, on December 31, 2026. The next payment, for January 2027, arrives February 1, 2027.

Does the 2027 COLA increase the VA clothing allowance?

Yes, once the annual veterans’ COLA law is enacted. The 2025 law raised the clothing allowance under 38 USC § 1162 by the same percentage as Social Security benefits.

Does the COLA raise VA pension rates?

Yes. Under 38 USC § 5312, VA must raise VA pension rates by the same percentage as Social Security benefits, effective the same date. The same law adjusts DIC rates and income limits for surviving parents.

Is the COLA increase taxable?

No. Under 38 USC § 5301, VA disability compensation is tax-free.