Updated October 15, 2026. The 3.6% COLA is official (Social Security, October 14, 2026). VA has not yet published its 2027 compensation table, so the 2027 dollar amounts below are our arithmetic, not VA’s published rates.
Key takeaways
- The official 2027 COLA is 3.6%, announced by Social Security on October 14, 2026. The 2026 COLA was 2.8%.
- Applied to 2026 rates, a single veteran at 100% would go from $3,938.58 to about $4,080.37 a month, roughly $141.79 more.
- VA compensation increases normally take effect December 1 and first show up in the payment made at the end of December or early January. VA’s own table is the number to budget with.
- CRSC is a separate program. A COLA raises amounts already being paid; it does not establish CRSC eligibility.
Our arithmetic is not VA’s table
The 3.6% percentage is official. The 2027 dollar figures on this page are 2026 VA rates multiplied by 1.036 and rounded to the cent. VA’s compensation increase is set separately and published by VA, and its figures can differ by rounding. Read the year and effective date on the official VA table before using a number.
What the official pages show today
As of October 15, 2026, VA's veteran compensation rates page (https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/) shows 2026 rates, effective December 1, 2025. It does not show 2027 rates. Social Security's COLA page (https://www.ssa.gov/cola/) shows the 2.8% adjustment for 2026. On October 14, 2026, Social Security announced the official 3.6% adjustment for 2027; VA has not yet published its 2027 table. Our 2027 CRSC pay chart page tracks the release, and you can leave an email address there to get the table when VA publishes it.
For a veteran with no dependents, VA's current monthly rates include $552.47 at 30%, $1,132.90 at 50%, $1,808.45 at 70%, $2,362.30 at 90%, and $3,938.58 at 100%. Rates with dependents are listed on the same VA page.
What 3.6% means for a single veteran
The table below applies the official 3.6% to VA’s 2026 rates for a veteran with no dependents. It is arithmetic on the official percentage, not VA’s published 2027 table.
| Rating | 2026 monthly (VA) | 2027 at 3.6% (estimate) | Monthly change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | $552.47 | $572.36 | +$19.89 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,173.68 | +$40.78 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,873.55 | +$65.10 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,447.34 | +$85.04 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,080.37 | +$141.79 |
To check your own row, find your current monthly rate on VA’s page using your rating and dependent status, then multiply by 1.036. For example, $1,808.45 × 1.036 = about $1,873.55.
How to check once rates are published
When VA posts a new table, find your row and compare it with the current rate. Divide the new rate by the old rate and subtract 1 to see the actual percentage change. For budgeting, use VA's published amount rather than a figure from an article, including this one.
What this means for CRSC
VA disability compensation and CRSC are separate programs. A VA table shows compensation by rating and dependent status; it does not quote a retiree’s CRSC award.
Your uniformed service reviews a CRSC application and determines whether conditions are combat-related. A VA service-connected rating alone does not establish CRSC eligibility. Read official CRSC guidance at VA CRSC guidance and use your award documents for individual payment questions.
Frequently asked questions
Have the 2027 VA disability rates been published?
Not yet. The 2027 COLA percentage is official (3.6%), but as of October 15, 2026 we had not found a 2027 table on VA’s compensation page, which still showed 2026 rates effective December 1, 2025. Check VA compensation rates for the current table.
Has a 2027 COLA percentage been announced?
Yes. On October 14, 2026, Social Security announced the official 2027 COLA: 3.6 percent. VA has not yet published its 2027 compensation table. Check SSA COLA information and use VA’s published table for VA compensation amounts.
Would a change in VA rates change my CRSC?
A new VA compensation table does not by itself tell you what your CRSC payment will be. CRSC is a separate military-retiree program, subject to combat-related eligibility and retired-pay rules. Use official CRSC guidance and your individual award documents.