Blog: Veterans Disability

VA Disability Rates and Payment Schedule 2026 v 2025 Each year, the VA adjusts VA disability rates to keep up with inflation. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is based on a percentage determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and is the same percent increase Social Security recipients get. It’s determined using the year-over-year increase in …

Will a Government Shutdown Affect My VA Disability?  If you rely on VA disability benefits for your monthly income or medical care, the possibility of a government shutdown can feel overwhelming. The good news is that, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, your disability payments and access to VA health care remain protected …

2026 VA Disability COLA Increase The VA has confirmed a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for 2026, raising disability compensation, TDIU payments, SMC, DIC, and most other monthly VA benefits starting December 1, 2025. For millions of veterans and their surviving families, this annual adjustment is crucial in keeping compensation in line with rising living costs. Below …

Are Reservists Being Left Behind in the VA Disability Process?  Reservists–those who served in the Reserves or National Guard–who are partly or completely disabled due to a service-connected medical condition are entitled to VA disability benefits, just like any other military veteran. Unfortunately, an in-depth study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that reservists …

Understanding Your Deferred VA Claim VA disability benefits can be a lifeline if your ability to earn a living is limited due to a service-connected disability. So, it’s not unusual for veterans who have submitted a disability claim to be anxiously on the lookout for the decision letter. Approval is great. A denial probably means …

Ways TDIU Could Change in 2025 Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) provides an important safety net for veterans with VA disability ratings below 100% who are unable to work. TDIU classification allows a veteran with a disability rating as low as 60% to receive benefits at the 100% level.  If you’re a veteran …

VA Disability for Asthma Asthma is a common medical condition in the United States, but it’s even more common among combat veterans. One study determined that service members who served in combat were 24-30% more likely to develop asthma than those who had not been deployed. Veterans with this service-connected condition may qualify for VA …

VA Disability Ratings for IBS According to the most recent report from the VA, more than 230,000 veterans are receiving VA disability benefits for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you suffer from IBS and believe that your condition may be service-connected, here’s what you need to know about how the VA rates IBS.  Of course, …

How Does the VA Rate Depression?  If you suffer from service-connected depression, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits for your condition. However, the benefits you receive will depend on the VA disability rating you are assigned. Here’s what you need to know about how depression is rated, what your disability rating means in …

The Blue Water Navy Act and You If you served in the US Military in the water off the shores of Vietnam, you may not have received the benefits you are entitled to. That’s because for many years presumptive service connections applied for those veterans who served in the “Brown Waters” of Vietnam, but not …

How Much Compensation Does a Disabled Veteran Receive? A veteran who is wholly or partly disabled by a service-connected medical condition may be entitled to monthly monetary compensation and other benefits. The amount of VA disability benefits a veteran receives will depend on factors such as:  The VA disability rating assigned The number and type …

Happy 250th Birthday to the U.S. Army! On June 14, the United States Army will be 250 years old. That’s right–the oldest branch of the U.S. military predates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In its earliest form, the Army fought in the Revolutionary War and helped establish the United States as an independent …

How Can I Increase My VA Anxiety Rating?  Anxiety is a common medical condition, among both the general population and veterans. One recent study showed that 7.9% of veterans screened were suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, and another 22.1% had mild symptoms of anxiety. Here’s what you need to know about getting and maximizing a …

What is the VA Preparation for Decision Stage? When you’ve filed a claim for VA disability benefits, you can expect to wait about 135 days for a determination. You generally won’t need to do anything else during that time unless the VA reaches out to ask you for more information or schedules an exam or …

Is My VA Disability Taxable?  If you’ve filed a claim for or have been awarded VA disability benefits, you may be wondering whether you’ll have to pay taxes on that income. If you already receive disability benefits, you may be unsure how to report them on your 2024 taxes.  Fortunately, you don’t have to worry …

What Does Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) Mean?  You probably know that VA disability ratings are numerical, and you may even know that they are assigned in 10% increments. So, it may not be clear how the designation of totally disabled due to individual unemployability (TDIU) works alongside that percentage-based rating system.  If …