The Playbook › Step 1 of 7: Know the rules
VA disability pay goes up 3.6% for 2027. Social Security announced the cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026, and VA compensation rises by the same percentage. The new rates take effect December 1, 2026, so the first higher payment arrives at the end of December. For a veteran rated 100% with no dependents, that is about $4,080.37 a month, up $141.79.
This page has the estimated 2027 VA disability pay chart for every rating, with and without dependents.
The short version
- 2027 increase: 3.6%, up from 2.8% for 2026.
- Effective December 1, 2026. The first payment at the new rate arrives on December 31, 2026, because January 1 is a holiday.
- 100% alone: about $4,080.37 a month. 50% alone: about $1,173.68. 10%: about $186.92.
- You do not need to do anything. The raise is applied automatically.
- These figures are estimates until VA publishes its official 2027 tables, which normally appear around December 1.
On this page
2027 VA disability rates for a veteran with no dependents
| Combined rating | 2026 monthly | Estimated 2027 monthly | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | $186.92 | +$6.50 |
| 20% | $356.66 | $369.50 | +$12.84 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $572.36 | +$19.89 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $824.49 | +$28.65 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,173.68 | +$40.78 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,486.68 | +$51.66 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,873.55 | +$65.10 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,177.83 | +$75.68 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,447.34 | +$85.04 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,080.37 | +$141.79 |
Each figure is the 2026 rate increased by 3.6% and rounded to the cent. That is how the annual increase works, and the same method applied to the 2025 rates reproduces VA’s official 2026 table exactly. VA’s published 2027 figures could still differ by a cent here and there.
2027 VA disability pay chart with dependents
Dependents add to your pay at a combined rating of 30% or more. At 10% and 20% the amount is the same whatever your family situation. All figures below are estimated monthly amounts from December 1, 2026.
Veteran with a spouse or parents, no children
| Dependents | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $572.36 | $824.49 | $1,173.68 | $1,486.68 |
| With spouse | $639.70 | $914.62 | $1,286.61 | $1,622.40 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | $693.57 | $987.14 | $1,377.78 | $1,731.18 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | $747.44 | $1,059.66 | $1,468.94 | $1,839.96 |
| With 1 parent | $626.23 | $897.01 | $1,264.85 | $1,595.46 |
| With 2 parents | $680.10 | $969.53 | $1,356.02 | $1,704.24 |
| Dependents | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $1,873.55 | $2,177.83 | $2,447.34 | $4,080.37 |
| With spouse | $2,032.06 | $2,359.13 | $2,651.43 | $4,307.86 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | $2,159.49 | $2,504.17 | $2,815.12 | $4,490.45 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | $2,286.92 | $2,649.21 | $2,978.81 | $4,673.03 |
| With 1 parent | $2,000.98 | $2,322.87 | $2,611.03 | $4,262.95 |
| With 2 parents | $2,128.41 | $2,467.91 | $2,774.72 | $4,445.54 |
Veteran with one child
| Dependents | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With 1 child | $617.94 | $884.58 | $1,249.31 | $1,577.85 |
| With spouse and 1 child | $690.46 | $981.96 | $1,370.52 | $1,722.89 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 1 parent | $744.33 | $1,054.48 | $1,461.69 | $1,831.67 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 2 parents | $798.21 | $1,127.00 | $1,552.86 | $1,940.45 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | $671.81 | $957.10 | $1,340.48 | $1,686.63 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | $725.69 | $1,029.62 | $1,431.65 | $1,795.41 |
| Dependents | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With 1 child | $1,979.23 | $2,299.04 | $2,584.09 | $4,232.51 |
| With spouse and 1 child | $2,149.13 | $2,492.77 | $2,801.65 | $4,474.47 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 1 parent | $2,276.56 | $2,637.81 | $2,965.34 | $4,657.06 |
| With spouse, 1 child and 2 parents | $2,403.99 | $2,782.85 | $3,129.03 | $4,839.64 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | $2,106.65 | $2,444.08 | $2,747.78 | $4,415.09 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | $2,234.08 | $2,589.12 | $2,911.47 | $4,597.67 |
Add these for more children or a spouse who needs care
| Add for each | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional child under 18 | $33.15 | $44.55 | $55.94 | $67.34 | $78.74 | $90.13 | $101.53 | $113.04 |
| Child 18 to 23 in school | $108.78 | $145.04 | $182.34 | $218.60 | $254.86 | $291.12 | $328.41 | $365.14 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | $63.20 | $83.92 | $104.64 | $125.36 | $146.08 | $166.80 | $187.52 | $208.66 |
Example: a veteran rated 70% with a spouse and three children under 18 would receive about $2,149.13 for the spouse and first child, plus 2 x $78.74 for the other two children: about $2,306.61 a month in 2027.
The VA disability calculator uses the official 2026 rates until VA publishes the 2027 tables. To estimate your 2027 amount, take the calculator’s monthly figure and multiply it by 1.036.
When the 2027 increase is paid
VA pays each month at the start of the following month. The December 2026 payment is the first one at the new rate.
| Payment for | Arrives | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | 2026 rate |
| December 2026 | Thursday, December 31, 2026 | First payment at the 2027 rate |
| January 2027 | Monday, February 1, 2027 | 2027 rate |
When the first of the month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, VA pays on the last business day before it. January 1, 2027 is a holiday, so the December payment arrives on December 31.
Special monthly compensation in 2027
Special monthly compensation rises by the same 3.6%. The most common award, SMC-K, goes from $139.87 to about $144.91 a month. See the special monthly compensation guide for what qualifies.
Who gets the 2027 increase
- Everyone receiving VA disability compensation, at every rating, including veterans whose only payment is SMC-K.
- Survivors receiving DIC. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation rises by the same percentage. See DIC survivor benefits.
- Veterans with a claim still pending. If your claim is granted later, the months from December 2026 onward are paid at the 2027 rates. See VA back pay.
Is the increase official?
The percentage is set: Social Security announced 3.6% on October 14, 2026, and VA compensation has matched Social Security’s figure for many years. Congress passes the increase for VA compensation each year, and VA then publishes its official tables, usually around December 1. This page will be updated with VA’s official figures when they are released.
Common questions
How much is the 2027 VA disability increase? 3.6%. For a veteran rated 100% with no dependents, that is about $141.79 more a month.
When will I see the 2027 increase? In the payment that arrives on December 31, 2026, which is your payment for December.
Do I have to apply for the increase? No. It is applied automatically to every award.
Does the increase change my rating? No. Your rating stays the same; only the dollar amount for that rating goes up.
Is VA disability pay taxed in 2027? No. VA disability compensation is not taxable income for federal purposes.
Where are the 2026 rates? See 2026 VA disability rates.
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Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general educational information, not legal or medical advice, and this site is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rules and rates change. Confirm details on VA.gov or with an accredited representative. See our disclaimer and editorial policy.