Estimated 2027 pay, veteran alone
A veteran rated 100% with no dependents would go from $3,938.58 to an estimated $4,080.37 a month.
| Rating | 2026 (VA published) | 2027 (estimated) | Estimated change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $2,447.34 | +$85.04 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,080.37 | +$141.79 |
Estimated 2027 pay with dependents
| Rating | Alone | With spouse | Spouse and 1 child | Spouse and 2 children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $186.92 | $186.92 | $186.92 | $186.92 |
| 20% | $369.50 | $369.50 | $369.50 | $369.50 |
| 30% | $572.36 | $639.70 | $690.46 | $723.61 |
| 40% | $824.49 | $914.62 | $981.96 | $1,026.51 |
| 50% | $1,173.68 | $1,286.61 | $1,370.52 | $1,426.47 |
| 60% | $1,486.68 | $1,622.40 | $1,722.89 | $1,790.23 |
| 70% | $1,873.55 | $2,032.06 | $2,149.13 | $2,227.87 |
| 80% | $2,177.83 | $2,359.13 | $2,492.77 | $2,582.90 |
| 90% | $2,447.34 | $2,651.43 | $2,801.65 | $2,903.18 |
| 100% | $4,080.37 | $4,307.86 | $4,474.47 | $4,587.51 |
Estimated 2027 added amounts for dependents
| Rating | Each child under 18 | Each child 18+ in school | Spouse on Aid & Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | +$33.00 | +$109.00 | +$63.00 |
| 40% | +$45.00 | +$145.00 | +$84.00 |
| 50% | +$56.00 | +$182.00 | +$105.00 |
| 60% | +$67.00 | +$219.00 | +$125.00 |
| 70% | +$79.00 | +$255.00 | +$146.00 |
| 80% | +$90.00 | +$291.00 | +$167.00 |
| 90% | +$102.00 | +$328.00 | +$188.00 |
| 100% | +$113.04 | +$365.14 | +$208.66 |
Estimated 2027 special monthly compensation
SMC-Q is a protected rate and is not shown. What each level covers is on our SMC page.
| SMC level | 2026 (VA published) | 2027 (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| SMC-K | $139.87 | $144.91 |
| SMC-L | $4,900.83 | $5,077.26 |
| SMC-L 1/2 | $5,154.00 | $5,340.00 |
| SMC-M | $5,408.55 | $5,603.26 |
| SMC-M 1/2 | $5,780.00 | $5,988.00 |
| SMC-N | $6,152.64 | $6,374.14 |
| SMC-N 1/2 | $6,514.00 | $6,749.00 |
| SMC-O/P | $6,877.12 | $7,124.70 |
| SMC-R1 | $9,826.88 | $10,180.65 |
| SMC-R2/T | $11,271.67 | $11,677.45 |
| SMC-S | $4,408.53 | $4,567.24 |
How we estimated
Each figure is the 2026 amount (effective December 1, 2025) times 1.036, rounded to the nearest cent, or to the nearest dollar where VA publishes whole dollars. We ran the same arithmetic on the 2021 through 2025 tables with each year's COLA. It matched VA's veteran-alone amount for every rating in each of the last five years, and amounts with dependents landed within $1.25. Treat the dependent columns as good to about a dollar.
What happens next
Social Security's increase takes effect on its own. VA disability compensation needs an act of Congress each year. The 2026 bill is S. 4487, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026, introduced May 11, 2026 and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It sets the same percentage as Social Security, effective December 1, 2026. Once it is signed, VA posts its official table and we will replace these estimates with the published figures.
Questions
Is the 2027 VA disability COLA 3.6 percent?
The Social Security Administration announced a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, 2026. VA disability compensation usually rises by the same percentage, but Congress must pass the annual Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act first.
When do the 2027 VA disability rates take effect?
The pending bill sets December 1, 2026 as the effective date, the same date as in recent years. VA publishes its official table after the bill becomes law.
How accurate are these 2027 figures?
They are estimates calculated by VA Ready from the 2026 rates and the 3.6 percent COLA. VA's published amounts may differ by up to about a dollar, mostly in the amounts with dependents.
Sources
Social Security Administration, 3.6 percent benefit increase for 2027 (October 14, 2026)
Congress.gov, S. 4487, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026
2026 VA disability pay rates, effective December 1, 2025, verified against VA.gov