In 2024, the VA disability rates increase by 3.2 percent compared to 8.7 percent in 2023.
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Based on the Social Security Administration’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), VA disability rates will experience an increase in cost of living of 3.2% as of 12/1/23 for 2024. Although the 2023 COLA increase was an unprecedented 8.7 percent (marking the largest COLA rate increase since 1981), the 2024 COLA increase still represents a considerable increase in VA disability rates and provides more monthly compensation for Veterans.
Read on to discover how the changes will affect you and your family. For specific advice regarding your situation, reach out to an experienced VA attorney in your area.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) updates the COLA adjustment each year, and it bases the increase on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earnings and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculates the monthly CPI-W, and the SSA uses data from the previous year’s third quarter to determine COLA rates for the upcoming year.
Once the Senate approves the COLA increase for Veterans, the VA adjusts a Veteran’s monthly compensation to reflect the updated COLA rate. Typically, Veterans see a COLA increase in their benefits each year.
Yes. The new 3.2% COLA increase will raise Veterans’ monthly disability benefits significantly. For example, a Veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents will receive an additional $116.14 to their disability compensation, or an estimated $3,738.85 per month. By comparison, the same Veteran in 2023 received $3,621.95 per month.
Veterans with disabilities may use the VA disability pay charts below to get an idea about how much financial assistance they may be eligible to receive. Please note that the numbers found on this page are only estimates and the actual payment amounts may vary.
EFFECTIVE 12/1/23
10% – 20% No Dependents
| PERCENTAGE | RATE |
| 10% | $171.23 |
| 20% | $338.49 |
30% – 60% With Children
| DEPENDENT STATUS | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $632.63 | $899.69 | $1,255.68 | $1,578.50 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $565.23 | $810.64 | $1,143.76 | $1,444.91 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $681.97 | $965.87 | $1,338.71 | $1,678.37 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $731.31 | $1,032.06 | $1,421.75 | $1,778.26 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $614.57 | $876.82 | $1,226.80 | $1,544.80 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $663.91 | $943.01 | $1,309.84 | $1,644.68 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $30.08 | $40.92 | $51.74 | $61.37 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (A) | $99.89 | $133.58 | $166.07 | $199.76 |
| Additional for A/A Spouse (B) | $57.76 | $75.81 | $96.28 | $115.53 |
30% – 60% Without Children
| DEPENDENT STATUS | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
| Veteran Alone | $524.32 | $755.27 | $1,075.17 | $1,361.88 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $585.69 | $838.31 | $1,178.66 | $1,485.83 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $635.03 | $904.50 | $1,261.69 | $1,585.71 |
| Veteran with Spouse & Two Parents | $684.37 | $970.69 | $1,344.73 | $1,685.60 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $573.66 | $821.46 | $1,158.20 | $1,461.77 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $623.00 | $887.65 | $1,241.24 | $1,561.64 |
| Additional for A/A Spouse (B) | $57.76 | $75.81 | $96.28 | $115.53 |
70% – 100% With Children
| DEPENDENT STATUS | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $1,968.98 | $2,283.84 | $2,566.83 | $4,098.88 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1,813.75 | $2,105.73 | $2,367.07 | $3,877.21 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $2,085.72 | $2,417.42 | $2,717.26 | $4,266.12 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $2,202.45 | $2,550.99 | $2,867.68 | $4,433.37 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,930.48 | $2,239.31 | $2,517.49 | $4,044.47 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $2,047.21 | $2,372.89 | $2,667.92 | $4,211.72 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $72.21 | $81.83 | $92.66 | $103.55 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (A) | $233.46 | $267.15 | $300.85 | $334.50 |
| Additional for A/A Spouse (B) | $133.58 | $152.83 | $172.09 | $191.13 |
70% – 100% Without Children
| DEPENDENT STATUS | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
| Veteran Alone | $1,716.27 | $1,995.02 | $2,241.91 | $3,737.85 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,861.88 | $2,161.09 | $2,428.44 | $3,946.25 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $1,978.61 | $2,294.67 | $2,578.86 | $4,113.51 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $2,095.34 | $2,428.24 | $2,729.29 | $4,280.76 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,833.01 | $2,128.59 | $2,392.34 | $3,905.10 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,949.74 | $2,262.17 | $2,542.77 | $4,072.34 |
| Additional for A/A Spouse (B) | $133.58 | $140.35 | $157.90 | $191.13 |
Several types of claims can apply to VA disability compensation. They may be based upon disabilities that existed and became intensified during military service, disabilities that arose during active military service, or disabilities that became worse after leaving service. These claims include:
Several types of claims can apply to VA disability compensation.
Veterans who are within 180 days of separation or retirement from active duty or National Guard duty can file claims for disability.
People may enter military service with a disability. If this becomes worse during military service, the VA may be required to pay compensation.
These include claims based on disabilities that are due to an injury or a disease that occurred during active duty. Claims related to alcohol abuse or addictions to drugs are generally excluded.
This includes claims for disabilities that are service-related, even though the disability occurred after service.
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