VA disability rates 2027: The headline number is real, but the law is not — yet. Social Security confirmed a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 on October 14, 2026. If Congress passes the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 at that same rate, a veteran rated 100% disabled with no dependents will receive $4,080.37 a month from December 1, 2026 — up $141.79 from $3,938.58. A veteran rated 10% would get $186.92, up $6.50.
Here is the catch most headlines skip: unlike Social Security, VA disability pay does not rise on its own. Congress has to pass a separate bill every year, and the president has to sign it. That bill — H.R. 8552 in the House and S. 4487 in the Senate — has not cleared committee in either chamber. So every 2027 dollar figure in this article is a projection, calculated from VA’s official 2026 rates and the confirmed 3.6% COLA. It is not yet VA’s published rate table.
That sounds alarming, but history is reassuring. Congress has passed the veterans’ COLA bill every year, and the percentage has always matched Social Security’s. Last year’s version became law on November 25, 2025 — six days before it took effect. Congress returns from recess on Monday, November 9, 2026, for its lame-duck session, and the bill is expected to move then. The risk is a delay, not a denial: if it is signed after December 1, the higher rates would still apply from December 1, because that effective date is written into the bill.
What the 2027 rates look like (projected)
The table below shows the projected monthly payment for a single veteran with no dependents, worked out by applying the 3.6% COLA to VA’s official 2026 rates. Veterans rated 30% or higher get extra amounts for a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
| Rating | 2026 | 2027 projected | 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 | $2,177.82 | $75.67 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,447.35 | $85.05 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,080.37 | $141.79 |
With dependents, the numbers climb. A veteran rated 100% with a spouse would receive $4,307.86 a month, and with a spouse and one child, $4,474.46. The same 3.6% also lifts Special Monthly Compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for surviving spouses, and VA pension. Veterans paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (total disability based on individual unemployability) get the same increase.
When the money actually arrives
If the bill is signed in time, the first payment at the new rate lands on December 31, 2026 — a Thursday. VA pays in arrears, and January 1, 2027 is a federal holiday, so December’s payment comes a day early. That also means there is no VA disability deposit in January 2027 itself; the payment for January arrives February 1, 2027.
One thing veterans should check now: VA pays dependent amounts only for dependents it has on file. If you got married, had a child, or took in a dependent parent this year, make sure VA knows before December, or the extra money will not be in the December 31 payment. And remember, all VA disability compensation is tax-free — the $4,080.37 a month at 100% is $48,964.44 a year with no federal income tax taken out.
What it means for you
For most veterans, the practical advice is simple: budget on the 2026 rate until the bill is signed, and treat the extra 3.6% as expected income, not guaranteed income. The increase is the largest since 2023’s 8.7%, and it roughly matches the 3.7% inflation figure for the prior year — so in real terms, it holds purchasing power rather than raising it. The same 3.6% COLA also lifts Social Security retirement and SSDI payments — but those rise automatically, with no act of Congress needed. If your condition has worsened since your last rating, a claim for an increase is a separate route to more money, and it is worth filing regardless of what Congress does with the COLA bill. For the December payment calendar, see our Social Security December 2026 payment dates guide.
FAQ: VA disability rates 2027
Q: Is the 2027 VA disability increase official yet?
A: Not yet. The 3.6% COLA is confirmed for Social Security, but VA disability pay needs Congress to pass and the president to sign the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 (H.R. 8552 / S. 4487). As of November 7, 2026, neither bill has cleared committee. The increase is expected, not guaranteed.
Q: How much will a 100% disabled veteran get in 2027?
A: A projected $4,080.37 a month with no dependents, up $141.79 from $3,938.58 in 2026. With a spouse, the projected rate is $4,307.86, and with a spouse and one child, $4,474.46. These figures are calculated from VA’s official 2026 rates and the 3.6% COLA; VA has not published its official 2027 table yet.
Q: When will the first payment at the new rate arrive?
A: December 31, 2026, if the bill is signed in time. VA pays in arrears, and January 1, 2027 is a federal holiday, so December’s payment comes early. There is no VA disability deposit in January 2027; the January payment arrives February 1, 2027.
Q: Do veterans need to apply for the COLA increase?
A: No. Once the bill becomes law, VA applies the increase automatically to disability compensation, DIC, and VA pension. But veterans should make sure their dependents are listed with VA, because dependent amounts are only paid for dependents VA has on file.
Q: Is VA disability compensation taxed?
A: No. VA disability compensation is tax-free at the federal level, and most states do not tax it either. The 2027 figures quoted here are the full monthly amounts a veteran receives.
Sources: Social Security Administration, 2027 COLA announcement (Oct 14, 2026); Congress.gov, H.R. 8552 and S. 4487, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026; VA.gov disability compensation rates page; CCK Law 2027 VA disability pay chart (rates calculated from VA’s official 2026 table x 3.6%).