The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits are very important for veterans who have disabilities connected to their service. These perks help veterans and their families with money in important ways, especially since the cost of living keeps going up.
Disability benefits are changed every year based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment COLA. In 2025, these payouts are expected to go up a lot. We’ll show you how this change works and what you need to know to get the most out of your 2025 disability payments below.
Why the increase in disability benefits is important
For veterans and their families to be able to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living, disability payments need to go up in 2025. Because of this change, basic costs like housing, healthcare, and food are still going up. This is meant to protect the financial security of veterans.
Every year, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used to figure out how much the pay rates should go up. This makes sure that the perks keep their real value even if the economy changes. By changing veterans’ benefits to keep up with inflation, the VA helps keep their buying power from going down.
How disability benefits are calculated
Veterans’ disability payments are based on a rating that goes from 0% to 100%, with 10% increases between 0% and 100%. This number shows how much the veteran’s disability affects his or her daily life and ability to work. The veteran will get more money every month if their disability percentage is bigger.
Those veterans who have dependents, like a partner or children, may also be able to get extra benefits. This yearly change makes sure that veterans don’t lose buying power, even when the economy is bad.
Eligibility criteria for disability benefits
There are a few things that a veteran must do in 2025 in order to be considered for disability benefits. First, the soldier must show that the disability is directly related to their time in the military.
Also, the soldier had to have been discharged for a reason other than dishonorable. The level of disability can range from 0% to 100%, and veterans with more than one handicap may be able to get extra monthly payments.
In some cases, the VA may want the veteran to go through another medical test to make sure the condition is really bad. They will need to submit medical records to back up their claim.
How to maximize your disability benefits
Veterans should stay up to date on any changes to their VA benefits, especially the yearly cost of living increases (COLAs). People who stay aware can get the most out of their benefits and make sure they don’t miss out on important raises.
It is possible for veterans to file an appeal if they think their disability rating is wrong. Also, it’s important to let the VA know about any changes in your family situation, like getting married or having a child, because this can lead to higher monthly benefits.
Veterans can take a look at their payment history and disability status through the VA’s online portal to make managing their benefits easy. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can also help them. VSOs will help them file applications and requests for free.
How to apply for disability benefits in 2024
There are two ways for a veteran to apply for disability payments for 2025: on paper (VA Form 21-526EZ) or online through the VA’s website.
It is very important to get all the paperwork you need, like medical records, service records, and proof of the handicap. The VA will look over the case, which can take a few months after the application is sent in. During this process, the VA may ask for more proof or a medical exam to figure out how bad the condition is.
The VA will make a rating choice and decide the monthly payment amount after looking over the application. An unhappy veteran can make an appeal and ask for a review if they don’t like their rating.
The importance of annual adjustments
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) make sure that soldiers’ benefits don’t go down in value every year because of rising prices. In 2025, compensation rates are likely to go up, which will help veterans even more as their daily costs rise.