2027 VA Disability Pay Chart: Monthly Rates at Every Rating

The 2027 VA disability COLA is 3.6% — but what does that actually mean for your monthly check? Below is the full estimated pay chart at every rating from 10% to 100%, plus the dependent add-ons, the exact dates the money changes, and answers to the questions veterans are asking most right now.

Quick refresher on where the number comes from: on October 14, 2026, the Social Security Administration announced the 2027 COLA based on third-quarter CPI-W inflation data. VA disability compensation tracks that percentage — up from 2.8% last year, making this the biggest increase in recent years.

2027 VA disability pay chart: veteran alone, no dependents

These are estimates calculated by applying 3.6% to the official 2026 VA rates. The VA publishes its official 2027 tables after Congress passes the annual COLA bill, so treat these as highly reliable projections rather than final numbers — rounding can shift a figure by a penny.

Combined Rating 2026 Monthly 2027 Monthly (est.) You Gain
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 $2,447.35 +$85.05
100% $3,938.58 $4,080.37 +$141.79

Over a full year, that 100% increase is worth about $1,701 more — real money for any household budget.

What about veterans with dependents?

This is where the chart gets personal, because dependent pay only starts at a 30% rating. At 10% and 20%, the VA pays a flat rate regardless of family size.

From 30% up, a qualifying spouse, children under 18 (or 18–23 if in school), and dependent parents each add to your monthly amount — and the 3.6% COLA multiplies those add-ons too. A few estimated 2027 examples:

  • 100% with a spouse: about $4,307.87/month (up from $4,158.17)
  • 100% with a spouse and one child under 18: about $4,474.47/month
  • Each additional child under 18 adds roughly $113.04/month
  • 70% with a spouse and one child: roughly $2,074/month at the new rates

The single most important action item in this whole article: make sure your dependents are correctly listed on your VA award before December. If you got married, had a child, or started supporting a parent this year and never told the VA, the increase will be calculated on the wrong base. Update it through VA.gov or by calling the VA now.

What about TDIU, SMC, DIC, and VA pension?

The COLA does not just touch basic disability compensation. It flows through to:

  • TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) — paid at the 100% rate, so it rises to the estimated $4,080.37
  • SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) — the additional payments for severe disabilities, loss of use, or need of aid and attendance all scale by the same 3.6%
  • DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) — surviving spouses and children see the same percentage increase
  • VA pension — unlike disability compensation, pension rates adjust automatically under existing law once the COLA is set

And again: you do not need to apply for any of this. The VA applies the increase on its own. Anyone telling you to pay a fee or file special paperwork to "claim" your COLA is running a scam.

Key dates: when the money actually moves

  • October 14, 2026 — SSA announced the 3.6% COLA (done)
  • Before December 1, 2026 — Congress expected to pass the Veterans' Compensation COLA Act; VA publishes official 2027 rate tables
  • December 1, 2026 — new rates take effect
  • December 31, 2026 — first deposit at the new rate hits your account

The one honest caveat: the bill (H.R. 8552 in the House, S. 4487 in the Senate) had not cleared either chamber at last check. It passes every year like clockwork — last year's was signed November 25, 2025 — so the smart money says it lands. But "expected" is not "enacted," so keep an eye on it.

Making the increase count

A COLA is not a raise — it is inflation protection. If your costs rose more than 3.6% this year, you are treading water, not getting ahead. That makes a plan for the extra dollars more important, not less:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for the 2027 VA disability increase?

No. The COLA is applied automatically by the VA to disability compensation, TDIU, SMC, DIC, and pension. No claim, form, or phone call is required. The only thing you should verify is that your dependent information is up to date, since that affects your payment amount at ratings of 30% and above.

How much is 100% VA disability per month in 2027?

An estimated $4,080.37 per month for a veteran alone with no dependents, up from $3,938.58 in 2026 — an increase of $141.79 per month, or about $1,701 per year. With a spouse it is about $4,307.87, and with a spouse and one child under 18 about $4,474.47. These remain estimates until the VA publishes official tables.

When do the 2027 VA disability rates take effect?

The new rates take effect December 1, 2026, and the first payment at the new rate arrives December 31, 2026 (January 1 is a federal holiday, so the deposit moves up one day). The rates become official once Congress passes the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 and the president signs it.

Is 3.6% a big COLA compared to past years?

Yes, relatively. The 2026 COLA was 2.8%, so 3.6% is a full 0.8 percentage points higher — the largest increase in recent years. But remember that a COLA mirrors inflation rather than beating it: it is designed to keep your purchasing power even, not to make you richer.

About the Author

Sidra Salman is the founder of Smart Paisa, where she writes practical, research-backed guides on personal finance and money management for a US audience. Every guide is tested and written in plain English for a US audience.


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