How Much Will Veterans Get in 2026? VA COLA Increase Coming December 1

Veterans Payment Increase in 2026: Veterans who receive disability money from the government will see a small increase in their checks next year. This rise comes from the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, called COLA, which begins on December 1, 2025. The official payment chart will come out that day, but the early numbers already show what most veterans should expect in 2026.

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These disability payments are not taxed, and they are given to veterans whose health problems are linked to their military service. Some injuries happen during active duty, while other medical issues appear later but still connect to time spent in uniform. Veterans who have dependents, have a spouse with a disability, or suffered very serious injuries like losing a limb may receive extra money added to their regular benefit.

VA Benefits 2026 Increase: What the New Payments will be?

Instead of tables, here’s what the new numbers look like in plain language.

• A veteran rated 10 percent currently receives $175.51 each month; that payment climbs to $180.42, a bump of $4.91. Those at 20 percent move from $346.95 to $356.66, adding $9.71. A 30 percent rating goes from $537.42 to $552.47, an increase of $15.05.
• For a 40 percent disability, the payment rises from $774.16 to $795.84, adding $21.68. Veterans at 50 percent see their monthly amount shift from $1,102.04 to $1,132.90, a jump of $30.86. A 60 percent rating will increase from $1,395.93 to $1,435.02, about $39.09 more each month.
• At 70 percent, the amount climbs from $1,759.19 to $1,808.45, a difference of $49.26. Veterans rated 80 percent move from $2,044.89 to $2,102.15, gaining $57.26. The 90 percent rating rises from $2,297.96 to $2,362.30, an extra $64.34, reported Marca.

Veterans who hold a 100% disability rating will get the largest increase in their monthly payments next year. Their check will rise from $3,831.30 to $3,938.58, which means they will receive $107.28 more every month. Once the COLA raise begins, these numbers almost never change for the rest of the year,.

The VA decides how much a veteran gets by using a scale that starts at 0% and goes up to 100%. Each step is ten points higher than the last. A higher rating shows that the veteran has a more severe medical condition.

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To make sure the rating is fair, the VA looks at medical reports, old service files, and sometimes extra notes from private doctors.

VA ratings can Change

A veteran’s rating can change over time as some people heal and feel better after a few years, while others may see their health get worse. Because of this, the VA checks cases again when needed.

Many veterans pay close attention to the COLA announcement every year, especially when prices for food, gas, and medical care keep rising. The 2.8% increase for 2026 is not the biggest jump in recent years, but it still gives veterans a little more support each month. The final payment details will be confirmed in December, but most veterans already have a solid idea of how much extra money they will receive next year.