2025 VA Disability Pay Raise – Know the New Rates and How Much You Could Receive

Veterans receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are starting 2025 with a financial boost. Thanks to a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), monthly VA benefits have gone up to help veterans keep pace with rising prices and inflation.

This increase kicked in on January 1, 2025, and has already been reflected in the latest monthly payments.

Let’s break down what the COLA is, why it matters, and how much more veterans can expect to receive in their 2025 compensation.

COLA

So, what exactly is the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)? In simple terms, it’s an annual raise given to benefits like VA disability pay, Social Security, and military retirement to offset the impact of inflation.

$1,400 Stimulus Payment – What You Need to Know If You Filed for an IRS Extension

The rate—2.5% for 2025—is set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This index tracks price changes in everyday essentials like:

• Rent and housing
• Medical care and prescriptions
• Groceries and food items
• Transportation
• Utilities and energy bills

Without COLA, fixed-income benefits would lose value each year. That’s why this small but crucial percentage matters so much to veterans who rely on monthly support.

Payments

The 2.5% increase has already been applied as of January 2025. That means every eligible veteran is now receiving higher monthly disability payments—automatically, no need to apply or request it.

And for veterans with dependents like a spouse, children, or dependent parents, the boost is even more noticeable. These added allowances help cover the higher living costs that come with supporting a family.

Social Security Payments in April – Why Some Retirees Won’t See Deposits in Their Accounts

Rates

How much more are veterans actually getting in 2025? Below are the updated monthly VA disability compensation rates based on the new 2.5% COLA increase.

Veterans Without Dependents

Disability Rating	Monthly Pay (2025)
10%	$175.51
20%	$346.95

Veterans Without Children

Dependent Status	30%	40%	50%	60%
Veteran Alone	$537.42	$774.16	$1,102.04	$1,395.93
With Spouse Only	$600.97	$859.24	$1,208.64	$1,524.05
With One Parent	$588.67	$841.81	$1,187.11	$1,498.43
With Two Parents	$639.92	$909.46	$1,272.19	$1,600.93

Veterans With Children

Dependent Status	30%	40%	50%	60%
With Child Only	$579.44	$830.54	$1,172.76	$1,481.00
With Spouse and Child	$648.12	$921.76	$1,286.54	$1,617.33
With One Parent and Child	$699.37	$989.41	$1,371.61	$1,719.83
With Two Parents and Child	$750.62	$1,057.06	$1,456.69	$1,822.33
Add Per Additional Child Under 18	$31.78	$42.03	$52.28	$63.55

Tips

If you’re a veteran receiving disability compensation, double-check your January 2025 payment to make sure it reflects the new rates. If not, reach out to the VA or check your eBenefits or VA.gov account for updates.

Also, if your health condition has worsened, you might qualify for a higher disability rating, which means more compensation. Common signs it’s time for a re-evaluation include:

• Increased pain or limitations
• New medical diagnoses
• More frequent doctor visits or treatments

Apply

Not receiving VA benefits yet? 2025 is a great time to start your application. With the new COLA increase, first-time approvals will also reflect the updated rates.

It’s easy to get started online at va.gov, or you can speak with a VA representative or Veterans Service Officer (VSO) in your area.

And remember, that extra money each month can go a long way—whether it’s paying for rent, managing healthcare costs, or saving for emergencies. Veterans earned these benefits. Now it’s time to use them wisely.

FAQs