The 2027 cost-of-living number is official: 3.6%, announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026. Congress still has to pass the annual VA COLA bill — it passes every year, so the numbers below stand.
At 100%, that’s $4,080 a month — tax-free. It’s automatic. No claim, no form, no phone call.
The first check at the new rate lands Thursday, December 31st — that’s the December payment arriving early (January 1 is a holiday). Heads-up: there’s no VA deposit in January; the next one comes February 1st.
2027 estimated monthly rates, veteran alone:
Disability rating | Estimated monthly rate |
|---|---|
10% | $187 |
20% | $370 |
30% | $572 |
40% | $824 |
50% | $1,174 |
60% | $1,487 |
70% | $1,874 |
80% | $2,178 |
90% | $2,447 |
100% | $4,080 |
These are estimated from 2026 rates until VA publishes its official 2027 tables. Rates are higher with dependents.
One thing the raise doesn’t do: it doesn’t fix an underrated claim. If a condition got worse or you never filed for it, that’s still on you to file.