VA Disability Pay Chart 2026
In 2026 a veteran with no dependents gets $180.42 a month at 10%, $1,132.90 at 50%, $1,808.45 at 70% and $3,938.58 at 100%. These rates took effect December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living increase, and first showed up in the January 2026 payment. Below are the full VA tables, copied from va.gov, plus how to add dependents and a worked example.
TL;DR
- 2026 monthly pay for a veteran alone: 10% is $180.42, 30% is $552.47, 50% is $1,132.90, 70% is $1,808.45, 100% is $3,938.58.
- Rates are effective December 1, 2025, after a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that matches Social Security. The first payment at the new rate arrived in January 2026.
- At 10% and 20%, pay is the same with or without dependents. From 30% up, the VA pays more for a spouse, children and dependent parents (38 U.S.C. 1115).
- The VA does not add dependents on its own. File VA Form 21-686c, plus VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 in school.
- Special monthly compensation (SMC) is paid on top of, or in place of, these rates for specific losses and needs.
How much is VA disability pay in 2026?
Your monthly amount depends on two things: your combined disability rating and the family members the VA has on file as your dependents. Every number on this page comes from the VA's own rate tables, effective December 1, 2025.
If you don't know your combined rating yet, or you want to see what one more condition would do, run your numbers in the VA disability calculator.
VA disability pay for a veteran with no dependents
| Rating | Monthly pay, 2026 | Yearly total |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $47,262.96 |
At 10% and 20% the VA does not pay a higher rate for a spouse, child or parent. The dependent tables below start at 30%.
2026 VA pay with a spouse or parents, no children
Find the row that matches your family and the column for your rating. That is your basic monthly rate.
| Dependent status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $552.47 | $795.84 | $1,132.90 | $1,435.02 |
| With spouse | $617.47 | $882.84 | $1,241.90 | $1,566.02 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | $669.47 | $952.84 | $1,329.90 | $1,671.02 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | $721.47 | $1,022.84 | $1,417.90 | $1,776.02 |
| With 1 parent, no spouse | $604.47 | $865.84 | $1,220.90 | $1,540.02 |
| With 2 parents, no spouse | $656.47 | $935.84 | $1,308.90 | $1,645.02 |
| Dependent status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | $1,808.45 | $2,102.15 | $2,362.30 | $3,938.58 |
| With spouse | $1,961.45 | $2,277.15 | $2,559.30 | $4,158.17 |
| With spouse and 1 parent | $2,084.45 | $2,417.15 | $2,717.30 | $4,334.41 |
| With spouse and 2 parents | $2,207.45 | $2,557.15 | $2,875.30 | $4,510.65 |
| With 1 parent, no spouse | $1,931.45 | $2,242.15 | $2,520.30 | $4,114.82 |
| With 2 parents, no spouse | $2,054.45 | $2,382.15 | $2,678.30 | $4,291.06 |
2026 VA pay with children
These rows already include one child. If you have more than one, add the per-child amounts from the next table.
| Dependent status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child only, no spouse or parents | $596.47 | $853.84 | $1,205.90 | $1,523.02 |
| 1 child and spouse | $666.47 | $947.84 | $1,322.90 | $1,663.02 |
| 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $718.47 | $1,017.84 | $1,410.90 | $1,768.02 |
| 1 child, spouse and 2 parents | $770.47 | $1,087.84 | $1,498.90 | $1,873.02 |
| 1 child and 1 parent, no spouse | $648.47 | $923.84 | $1,293.90 | $1,628.02 |
| 1 child and 2 parents, no spouse | $700.47 | $993.84 | $1,381.90 | $1,733.02 |
| Dependent status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child only, no spouse or parents | $1,910.45 | $2,219.15 | $2,494.30 | $4,085.43 |
| 1 child and spouse | $2,074.45 | $2,406.15 | $2,704.30 | $4,318.99 |
| 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $2,197.45 | $2,546.15 | $2,862.30 | $4,495.23 |
| 1 child, spouse and 2 parents | $2,320.45 | $2,686.15 | $3,020.30 | $4,671.47 |
| 1 child and 1 parent, no spouse | $2,033.45 | $2,359.15 | $2,652.30 | $4,261.67 |
| 1 child and 2 parents, no spouse | $2,156.45 | $2,499.15 | $2,810.30 | $4,437.91 |
Added amounts: more children and spouse Aid and Attendance
Add these to your basic rate. The child amounts are for each child after the first, since the basic rate already covers one.
| Rating | Each additional child under 18 | Each additional child over 18 in school | Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | $32.00 | $105.00 | $61.00 |
| 40% | $43.00 | $140.00 | $81.00 |
| 50% | $54.00 | $176.00 | $101.00 |
| 60% | $65.00 | $211.00 | $121.00 |
| 70% | $76.00 | $246.00 | $141.00 |
| 80% | $87.00 | $281.00 | $161.00 |
| 90% | $98.00 | $317.00 | $181.00 |
| 100% | $109.11 | $352.45 | $201.41 |
Spouse Aid and Attendance is an added amount when your spouse needs help from another person with daily living. It is added whether or not you have children.
Worked example: how to read the VA pay chart
Say you are rated 50%. You are married, you have two children under 18, and a third child who is 19 and enrolled full time in college.
- Start with the basic rate. The row "1 child and spouse" at 50% is $1,322.90. That covers your spouse and one child.
- Add the second child under 18. At 50% that is $54.00.
- Add the child in school. At 50% a child over 18 in a qualifying school program adds $176.00.
- Total: $1,322.90 + $54.00 + $176.00 = $1,552.90 a month, or $18,634.80 a year.
The same veteran with no dependents on file would get $1,132.90. That is $420 a month left on the table if the family was never added. For the college student, the VA needs VA Form 21-674 as well as the 21-686c.
What is the 2026 VA COLA?
The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is 2.8%. By law, the VA matches the COLA that the Social Security Administration sets for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration announced the 2.8% increase for 2026 in October 2025.
You can check the math yourself. The 2025 rate at 10% was $175.51. Multiply by 1.028 and you get $180.42, the 2026 rate. The 100% rate went from $3,831.30 to $3,938.58 the same way.
When does the 2026 rate show up in my payment?
The new rates are effective December 1, 2025. VA pays compensation for a month after that month ends, so the December 2025 amount arrived in early January 2026. That is why most veterans first saw the raise in January.
The same rule affects new awards. Under 38 CFR 3.31, the VA does not pay for any period before the first day of the month after your award becomes effective. If your increase is effective March 10, the higher rate starts April 1.
Your effective date is a different question. It is usually the date the VA got your claim, or the day after discharge if you file within one year of leaving active service. An intent to file can lock in an earlier date if you file the full claim within one year (38 CFR 3.155(b)).
How do I add dependents to my VA disability pay?
You need a combined rating of at least 30%. Then file a claim to add them:
- VA Form 21-686c for a spouse or a child under 18.
- VA Form 21-686c and VA Form 21-674 for a child 18 to 23 who is in school full time.
- You can also add or remove dependents online at va.gov.
Timing matters. The VA says that if you were already at 30% or more when you married, had a child or adopted, and you file within a year of that event, it can pay back to the date of the event. Wait longer, and it may only pay back to the date it got your claim. If both spouses are veterans rated 30% or more, each can get the added amount for the other.
Our VA benefits guide covers the other forms that go with each rating tier.
What about special monthly compensation (SMC)?
SMC is a higher rate paid for specific losses and needs, such as loss of use of a hand or foot, blindness, being housebound, or needing another person's help with daily life. Some SMC levels are added on top of your regular rate. Others replace it with a higher amount.
SMC-K, for example, is paid on top of your regular rate for things like loss of use of a creative organ, which includes erectile dysfunction tied to a service-connected condition or its medications. It is one of the most commonly missed benefits. The 2026 SMC tables are on the VA special monthly compensation rates page.
Is VA disability pay taxed?
No. VA disability compensation is not counted as taxable income by the IRS, and you do not report it on your federal return.
What if my rating is lower than what I live with?
The chart only helps if your rating is right. Many veterans are paid at a lower tier because their exam never captured their worst days, or because secondary conditions were never claimed. Start with a rating gap check, and see how each tier changes your benefits on the 30%, 50% and 70% pages.
If your conditions keep you from holding a steady job, TDIU can pay you at the 100% rate while your rating stays lower.
Get the Family Benefits Guide ($37)
Sources
- VA: Current veterans disability compensation rates (effective December 1, 2025)
- VA: 2025 compensation rates
- VA: Special monthly compensation rates
- VA: Add or remove a dependent
- SSA: Social Security announces 2.8 percent benefit increase for 2026
- 38 CFR 3.31, commencement of the period of payment
- 38 CFR 3.155, intent to file
- VA: Disability compensation effective dates
- IRS: Veterans tax information
Frequently asked questions
How much is 100% VA disability in 2026?
$3,938.58 a month for a veteran with no dependents, effective December 1, 2025. With a spouse it is $4,158.17. With a spouse and one child it is $4,318.99.
When did the 2026 VA pay raise start?
The 2.8% increase took effect December 1, 2025. Because VA pays for each month after it ends, the first payment at the new rate arrived in early January 2026.
Do I get more money for my spouse at 10% or 20%?
No. The VA pays the same amount at 10% and 20% whether or not you have dependents. Added pay for a spouse, children and parents starts at 30%.
Does the VA add my kids automatically?
No. If you are rated 30% or more, file VA Form 21-686c. For a child 18 to 23 in school full time, also file VA Form 21-674. File within a year of a marriage, birth or adoption to get paid back to that date.
How much more do I get for each extra child?
It depends on your rating. Each additional child under 18 adds $32 a month at 30%, $54 at 50%, $76 at 70% and $109.11 at 100%. A child over 18 in school adds more: $105 at 30% up to $352.45 at 100%.
Will VA disability pay go up in 2027?
VA rates change each year by the same COLA percentage as Social Security. The 2027 amount depends on the Social Security COLA announced in the fall of 2026, and new VA rates have taken effect each December 1.