Veterans across the United States will see an increase in their VA disability compensation payments in 2025, thanks to a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated its disability pay rates, ensuring veterans receive increased financial support in response to inflation and the rising cost of living.
The new disability pay rates will take effect on December 1, 2024, and the first adjusted payments will be issued in January 2025. Veterans and beneficiaries can now check the updated VA disability benefits table to understand their new compensation amounts.
2025 VA Disability Compensation Pay Table
The following table outlines the updated VA disability monthly compensation rates based on disability rating and dependent status:
For Veterans Without Dependents:
| Disability Rating | 2025 Monthly Compensation |
|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 |
| 20% | $346.95 |
| 30% | $537.42 |
| 40% | $774.16 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 |
| 60% | $1,395.93 |
| 70% | $1,740.02 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 |
| 90% | $2,301.40 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 |
For Veterans With Spouse Only:
| Disability Rating | 2025 Monthly Compensation |
| 30% | $601.42 |
| 40% | $859.16 |
| 50% | $1,208.04 |
| 60% | $1,523.93 |
| 70% | $1,889.02 |
| 80% | $2,213.89 |
| 90% | $2,489.40 |
| 100% | $3,947.87 |
Additional Compensation for Dependents
Veterans with dependent children, parents, or a spouse requiring Aid and Attendance may receive additional compensation. For instance, a veteran with a 100% disability rating, a spouse, and one child will receive $4,146.17 per month. Each additional child under 18 adds $92.31 to the monthly compensation.
For a complete breakdown, visit the VA Disability Compensation Rates Page.
How Does the 2.5% COLA Increase Impact Veterans?
The 2.5% COLA increase ensures that VA disability benefits maintain their purchasing power against inflation. While this increase is smaller than the 3.2% boost in 2024 and the historic 8.7% increase in 2023, it still helps veterans manage rising living costs.
For example:
- A veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents will see their monthly compensation rise from $3,737.85 in 2024 to $3,831.30 in 2025, an increase of $93.45 per month.
- A veteran with a 50% disability rating will receive an increase of approximately $26 per month, going from $1,076.94 to $1,102.04.
Who Qualifies for VA Disability Compensation?
To receive VA disability benefits, a veteran must have a service-connected disability, meaning the injury or illness must have occurred or worsened during active duty, training, or military service. The VA assigns a disability rating (0% to 100%) based on the severity of the condition.
How to Check Your New VA Disability Pay Rate
Veterans can check their updated disability compensation rate through the VA’s online portal:
- Visit VA.gov
- Sign in using your VA account (DS Logon, ID.me, or Login.gov)
- View your disability rating and updated compensation details
If a veteran believes their disability has worsened, they can request a re-evaluation to increase their disability rating and receive higher compensation.
Appealing a VA Disability Rating Decision
If a veteran disagrees with their VA disability rating, they can appeal the decision through the VA Decision Review Process:
- Higher-Level Review – Request a senior VA reviewer to reassess the case.
- Supplemental Claim – Submit new evidence to support the claim.
- Board Appeal – Take the case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 VA disability pay rates reflect a 2.5% increase, ensuring veterans receive the financial support they deserve. While the increase is smaller than previous years, it remains essential for managing everyday expenses.
Veterans should review the updated VA disability benefits table, verify their new compensation amount, and stay informed about any future adjustments. If needed, veterans can contact the VA or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for assistance with claims and benefits.
For the latest updates on VA benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
A senior at Yale-NUS College with interests in developmental and labour economics, as well as creative non-fiction and poetry. Currently, I’m studying as an Economics major and an Arts and Humanities minor (focusing on Creative Writing) with heavy involvement in the Singaporean journalism scene and involved in research on economic history and educational policy. I’m working as an author for The Octant, Yale-NUS’ student publication, as a writer for Wingspan, Yale-NUS’ alumni magazine, and as a tutor for the NUS Libraries Writer’s Centre. | Linkedin