Veterans to See Solid 3.4% VA Pay Increase In 2024
Good news for veterans on the horizon. Those receiving VA disability compensation are in for a boost—a 3.4% VA pay increase in 2024 to be exact. To put that in dollars, for every $1,000 a veteran gets in benefits, they will see an extra $34 in 2024. Spouses and family members receiving survivor benefits are also set to see the same increase in their monthly payments.
This year’s uptick might not match the notable 8.7% increase driven by inflation last year, but even modest increases are important in helping our veterans keep up with rising prices. At the Rep for Vets, we’ve long held the view that VA payments have not adjusted quickly enough to the rising cost of living. That began to change in 2022, with a 5.9% when inflation was still rising sharply. Then in 2023 Congress passed a law linking VA cost of living adjustments to Social Security, effectively guaranteeing annual increases for veterans.
History of VA Cost of Living Adjustments since 2010
| 2024 | 3.4% |
| 2023 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 5.9% |
| 2021 | 1.3% |
| 2020 | 1.6% |
| 2019 | 2.8% |
| 2018 | 2.0% |
| 2017 | 0.3% |
| 2016 | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 1.7% |
| 2014 | 1.5% |
| 2013 | 1.7% |
| 2012 | 3.6% |
| 2011 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.0% |
Now that the VA’s annual cost of living adjustment is synchronized with Social Security and doesn’t require a separate Congressional procedure, veterans can expect to see consistent increases in the coming years.
The 2024 VA pay increase is partly a response to slowing but still persistent inflation, which rose by 3.7% from September to September, according to the Consumer Price Index. However, it’s not merely a rate adjustment linked to inflation; the adjustment stands as a commitment to improving the quality of life of veterans who served honorably and are now dealing with service-connected disabilities that make it hard to work and provide.
How to Calculate Your 2024 VA Disability Pay Rate
You can calculate your 2024 disability pay rate by multiplying your current rate by 3.4 percent (or 0.034) and then adding that amount to your 2023 rate. The table below reflects the 2024 pay increase for a veteran with no dependents.
VA 2024 Pay Chart
| Combined VA Rating | 2024 VA Disability Pay Rate | 2023 VA Disability Pay Rate |
| 10% | $206 | $199 |
| 20% | $339 | $328 |
| 30% | $524 | $507 |
| 40% | $755 | $731 |
| 50% | $1,076 | $1,041 |
| 60% | $1,364 | $1,320 |
| 70% | $1,719 | $1,663 |
| 80% | $1,997 | $1,932 |
| 90% | $2,246 | $2,172 |
| 100% | $3,745 | $3,622 |
If you have a 30% to 100% disability rating and you have dependents, including children and dependent parents, your compensation rate goes up. At the 100% disability rating, for example, each additional child under 18 adds an additional $100 a month.
If your spouse is receiving Aid and Attendance to help out with the caretaking, they would receive an additional $119 to $170 a month as well. It’s important to let the VA know of any changes to your marital status or dependents. If a child turns 18 and moves out of of the home, this could impact the amount of benefits you receive. See the Veterans Disability Compensation Rates page at VA.gov for the latest posted rates.
Make Sure You’re Getting Compensated for Dependents, Including Dependent Parents and Children
In August 2023 the VA notified 57,000 veterans who had filed a claim to add a dependent between 2011 and the present that their claim had not been processed. The VA has taken immediate steps to process those claims and provide retroactive benefits to those underpaid veterans, but it’s worth going over your claim with a fine-tooth comb to make sure you’re getting the compensation you deserve.
A VA Tech Issue Caused 57,000 Disability Claims to Vanish. What Happened?
Understanding VA Math and Getting Professional Claims Help
Need a little more help understanding VA Math and calculating your disability rating? Take a look at our article on how to calculate your VA disability rating.
Need immediate assistance with a VA claim? Give us a call at (888) 573-7838 today or fill out a quick online form letting us know how we can help.
6 Ways You Can Increase Your VA Disability Payment
Any increase that helps improve the quality of life of the veterans who honorably served our great country is good news in our book. At the Rep for Vets we ensure that veterans are being fairly and accurately compensated by the VA for their disabling conditions.
Is your veterans disability compensation payment too small? Were you denied benefits that you deserve? Many veterans don’t realize that they can appeal decisions for higher ratings. When they are awarded low service-connected rating percentages, they just accept them. But you don’t have to.
Appealing a claim can help you change several different kinds of unsatisfactory VA decisions:
- Appeal a denied claim for service connection disabilities
- Appeal for a higher disability rating based on changes in your situation
- Appeal for an earlier effective date (more backpay)
- Claims for clear and unmistakable error
- Claims for individual unemployability if your service-connected disability prevents you from working altogether
- Section 1151 claims for vets who have suffered additional disability because of VA hospital error
How to Appeal a VA Disability Claim
If you’re thinking about appealing, act quickly. There are key deadlines that must be met in order to successfully file an appeal. We can walk you through the process. This is what we do, this is all we do. We are the Rep for Vets. Our VA claims experts and attorneys have decades of experience representing veterans at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. And we never give up. For a free consultation, call (888) 573-7838 today, or take a moment to fill out a quick online form. We look forward to learning about your service and your unique situation.