Estimate your monthly compensation based on the projected 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). This tool uses 2024 base rates adjusted for a projected increase.
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Current estimate for 2025 (editable)
Single
Married
Base 2024 Pay:$0.00
Dependent Add-ons:$0.00
2025 COLA Adjustment:$0.00
Est. Monthly Payment (2025):
$0.00
Est. Annual Amount:$0.00
*Note: These figures are estimates based on 2024 rates plus the user-defined COLA percentage. Official 2025 rates are typically released by the SSA in October and effective December 1st.
Understanding VA Disability Pay Rates for 2025
Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to veterans with injuries or illnesses that were caused by or made worse by their active military service. The amount a veteran receives depends on their disability rating (ranging from 0% to 100%) and their dependent status.
How the 2025 COLA Affects Your Pay
The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is an annual adjustment made to Social Security and VA benefits to counteract inflation. While the official rate for 2025 is typically announced in October 2024, projections based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) allow veterans to estimate their future earnings.
Key Fact: Ratings of 10% and 20% represent fixed amounts and do not increase based on marital status or dependents. Additional compensation for dependents typically begins at a 30% disability rating.
Dependent Allowances
If you have a combined disability rating of 30% or higher, your monthly compensation increases for each eligible dependent. Eligible dependents include:
Spouse: Additional pay is granted if you are legally married.
Children: Includes biological, adopted, or stepchildren under 18, or between 18-23 if attending school full-time.
Parents: Dependent parents who meet specific income and net worth limits.
Aid & Attendance: If your spouse has severe medical needs requiring the aid of another person, you may qualify for an additional "A&A" adder.
The 50% and 100% Thresholds
Reaching specific rating milestones unlocks different tiers of benefits. A 50% rating is significant because it often allows veterans to receive both VA disability and military retirement pay concurrently (CRDP). A 100% rating provides the maximum scheduled monthly benefit and may include additional educational and dental benefits.
Bilateral Factor and Combined Ratings
If you have multiple disabilities, the VA uses "VA Math" (a descending efficiency scale) to combine them rather than simple addition. However, this calculator assumes you already know your final combined rating percentage. If you have bilateral disabilities (disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles), the VA adds an additional factor to your compensation calculation.
function toggleDependentFields() {
var rating = parseInt(document.getElementById('disabilityRating').value);
var depSection = document.getElementById('dependentSection');
// Dependents only apply for 30% and above
if (rating >= 30) {
depSection.style.display = 'block';
} else {
depSection.style.display = 'none';
}
}
function calculateVAPay() {
var rating = parseInt(document.getElementById('disabilityRating').value);
var colaPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('projectedCola').value) || 0;
// 2024 Base Rates (Veteran Alone)
// Source: Official VA Comp Tables eff. Dec 2023 (for 2024)
var baseRates2024 = {
10: 171.23,
20: 338.49,
30: 524.31,
40: 755.28,
50: 1075.16,
60: 1361.88,
70: 1716.28,
80: 1995.01,
90: 2241.91,
100: 3737.85
};
if (rating === 0) {
updateDisplay(0, 0, 0);
return;
}
var basePay = baseRates2024[rating] || 0;
var addOnPay = 0;
// Calculate Dependents if rating >= 30%
if (rating >= 30) {
var maritalStatus = document.getElementById('maritalStatus').value;
var kidsUnder18 = parseInt(document.getElementById('childrenUnder18').value) || 0;
var kidsSchool = parseInt(document.getElementById('childrenSchool').value) || 0;
var parents = parseInt(document.getElementById('parents').value) || 0;
var spouseAA = document.getElementById('spouseAA').checked;
// Dependent Add-on Rates 2024 (Approximate for calculation logic)
// These rates vary per percentage tier.
// We define objects for Spouse, Child, Parent per 10% increment starting at 30%
// Spouse Add-on
var spouseRates = {
30: 62.00, 40: 83.00, 50: 104.00, 60: 125.00,
70: 146.00, 80: 167.00, 90: 188.00, 100: 209.06 // 100% is slightly different usually, approximated
};
// Child (Each, under 18)
var childUnder18Rates = {
30: 31.00, 40: 41.00, 50: 51.00, 60: 62.00,
70: 72.00, 80: 82.00, 90: 93.00, 100: 103.55
};
// Child (Each, School 18-23)
var childSchoolRates = {
30: 100.00, 40: 133.00, 50: 167.00, 60: 200.00,
70: 234.00, 80: 267.00, 90: 301.00, 100: 334.49
};
// Parent (Each)
var parentRates = {
30: 50.00, 40: 67.00, 50: 83.00, 60: 100.00,
70: 117.00, 80: 134.00, 90: 150.00, 100: 167.24
};
// Spouse Aid and Attendance Add-on
var spouseAARates = {
30: 57.00, 40: 76.00, 50: 95.00, 60: 114.00,
70: 133.00, 80: 153.00, 90: 172.00, 100: 191.14
};
// Note on 100%: The VA uses specific fixed amounts for 100% dependent combos.
// However, the additive method (Base + Spouse + Child) is mathematically extremely close
// (often exact) to the combined table for estimation purposes.
// We use the 100% specific add-ons where known, or extrapolate.
// Ref: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/
// Correcting 100% add-ons based on 2024 table (Veteran with Spouse is 3946.91 vs 3737.85 base = 209.06 diff)
// The code above uses these diffs.
if (maritalStatus === 'married') {
addOnPay += spouseRates[rating];
if (spouseAA) {
addOnPay += spouseAARates[rating];
}
}
if (kidsUnder18 > 0) {
addOnPay += (kidsUnder18 * childUnder18Rates[rating]);
}
if (kidsSchool > 0) {
addOnPay += (kidsSchool * childSchoolRates[rating]);
}
if (parents > 0) {
addOnPay += (parents * parentRates[rating]);
}
}
// Apply COLA to total
var total2024 = basePay + addOnPay;
var colaMultiplier = 1 + (colaPercent / 100);
var finalMonthly = total2024 * colaMultiplier;
var colaAmount = finalMonthly – total2024;
updateDisplay(basePay, addOnPay, colaAmount, finalMonthly);
}
function updateDisplay(base, addons, cola, final) {
var fmt = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', { style: 'currency', currency: 'USD' });
document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block';
// If rating is 0, display zeros
if (arguments.length === 3 && base === 0) {
document.getElementById('basePayDisplay').innerText = "$0.00";
document.getElementById('addonDisplay').innerText = "$0.00";
document.getElementById('colaDisplay').innerText = "$0.00";
document.getElementById('finalMonthly').innerText = "$0.00";
document.getElementById('finalAnnual').innerText = "$0.00";
return;
}
document.getElementById('basePayDisplay').innerText = fmt.format(base);
document.getElementById('addonDisplay').innerText = fmt.format(addons);
document.getElementById('colaDisplay').innerText = fmt.format(cola);
document.getElementById('finalMonthly').innerText = fmt.format(final);
document.getElementById('finalAnnual').innerText = fmt.format(final * 12);
}
// Initialize visibility state
toggleDependentFields();