2024 VA Disability Rates

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.

What is a Cost-of-Living (COLA) Adjustment?

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.

Will Disabled Vets Get a Raise in Their Monthly Benefits in 2024?

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.

How Does the COLA Increase Affect Me?

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.

2024 Veterans Compensation
Benefits Rate Tables

EFFECTIVE 12/1/23

10% – 20% No Dependents

PERCENTAGERATE
10%$171.23
20%$338.49

30% – 60% With Children

DEPENDENT STATUS30%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 STATUS30%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 STATUS70%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 STATUS70%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

Types of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation Benefits

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:

Disability Compensation

These are monthly, tax-free benefits paid directly to a Veteran who is disabled due to a service-related injury or illness. The amount is based on the Veteran’s disability rating.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

This is a tax-free payment made to the surviving family of a Veteran who died during active duty or died from a service-related disability.

Special Circumstances

Benefits may also be available in other special circumstances, such a clothing allowance for Veterans who have a prosthetic, grants for Veterans who need home modifications, and assistance with buying an adapted vehicle, among others.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

Additional benefits may be available disabled Veterans and/or their family members for costs related to assistance with activities of daily living.

Types of VA Disability Claims

Several types of claims can apply to VA disability compensation.

1

PRE-DISCHARGE CLAIMS

Veterans who are within 180 days of separation or retirement from active duty or National Guard duty can file claims for disability.

2

PRE-SERVICE DISABILITIES

People may enter military service with a disability. If this becomes worse during military service, the VA may be required to pay compensation.

3

IN-SERVICE DISABILITY CLAIMS

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.

4

POST-SERVICE DISABILITY CLAIMS

This includes claims for disabilities that are service-related, even though the disability occurred after service.

A
Rates for each school child are shown separately. They are not included with any other compensation rates. All other entries on this chart reflecting a rate for children show the rate payable for children under 18 or helpless. To find the amount payable to a 70% disabled Veteran with a spouse and four children, one of whom is over 18 and attending school, take the 70% rate for a Veteran with a spouse and a child, $ 1,754.95, and add the rate for two children under age 18, $128.00 and the rate for one child over 18 in a qualifying school program $208. The total amount payable is $2,090.95.
B
Where the Veteran has a spouse who is determined to require A/A, add the figure shown as "additional for A/A spouse" to the amount shown for the proper dependency code. For example, Veteran has A/A spouse and 2 minor children and is 70% disabled. Add $119.00, additional for A/A spouse, to the rate for a 70% Veteran with a spouse and a child $1,754.95 and add one child $64. The total amount payable is $1,937.95.

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