Many veterans have heard that VA disability compensation increased in 2026.

And that’s true.

There was a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) added to VA disability payments.

For some veterans, this means:

• Small monthly increases at lower ratings

• Larger increases at higher ratings

What Most Veterans Miss

The increase only applies if:

You are already rated

Your rating is accurate

If your rating is too low, the increase doesn’t fix that.

The Real Question

The real question isn’t:

“Did my pay increase?”

It’s:

 “Am I rated correctly?”

Regulation Tie-In

Ratings are based on severity and functional impact.

(38 CFR Part 4)

Why This Matters

Many veterans stay at:

• 30%

• 50%

• 70%

not because that’s correct…

but because they never properly challenged the rating.

What You Should Do

If your condition has worsened or was underrated:

• Review your current rating

• Compare it to the criteria

• Identify what is missing

Bottom Line

A small increase doesn’t replace a correct rating.

Your rating determines your long-term benefits.