Texas veterans with service-connected disabilities have something to look forward to in 2026. The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in October 2025, which directly impacts VA disability compensation rates. For veterans navigating the claims process or considering appeals, a Texas VA disability compensation lawyer can help you understand how these changes affect your benefits. This increase takes effect December 1, 2025, with the first adjusted payments arriving on December 31, 2025. The adjustment applies automatically to all veterans with disability ratings from 10% to 100%. No paperwork is required. No phone calls to the VA. The increase simply appears in your January payment.
Texas is home to over 1.5 million veterans, making it the second-largest veteran population in the country. As of late 2024, approximately 642,981 Texas veterans were receiving VA disability compensation. The 2.8% increase may seem modest, but it adds up over time and helps benefits keep pace with inflation. The Department of Veterans Affairs ties disability compensation to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This metric measures changes in the cost of essential goods and services, including housing, healthcare, and transportation. When inflation drives up these costs, the COLA ensures your benefits don’t lose purchasing power. Here’s how the increase breaks down across different rating levels:
- A veteran with a 30% rating will see monthly compensation rise from $524.31 to $539.00
- At 50%, payments increase from $1,075.16 to $1,105.27
- A 70% rating jumps from $1,759.19 to $1,808.45
- Veterans with a 100% rating will receive $3,938.58, up from $3,831.30
Veterans with dependents receive additional compensation, and those amounts increase as well. A 100% disabled veteran with a spouse now receives $4,158.17 monthly, compared to $4,044.91 under 2025 rates. The adjustment doesn’t change your disability rating. Instead, it increases the dollar amount paid at each rating level. If you’re rated at 60%, you stay at 60%. You just receive more money at that rating.
Getting The Compensation You Deserve
While the 2026 COLA provides automatic relief, it may not reflect the true extent of your disabilities. If your service-connected conditions have worsened, you can file for a rating increase at any time. A properly documented increase claim can raise your monthly benefit far more than a COLA adjustment alone. Many veterans are underrated by the VA. Secondary conditions often go unrecognized. New medical evidence may support a higher rating. In Galveston County alone, nearly 14,000 veterans receive some form of VA disability compensation. For these veterans and thousands more across Texas, understanding whether you’re receiving the full compensation you deserve can be challenging.
Every veteran currently receiving VA disability compensation qualifies for the 2026 COLA increase. This includes veterans rated from 10% to 100%, those receiving Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), recipients of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), and survivors receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Veterans with a 0% rating won’t see a change because that rating level doesn’t include monthly compensation. The Texas Veterans Commission provides additional support services, but understanding how federal benefit increases interact with state programs and whether you’re maximizing your benefits requires careful attention to detail.
How Legal Representation Helps Veterans
The appeals process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with the physical and mental challenges of service-connected disabilities. Understanding how ratings are combined, what evidence the VA requires, and how to present your case effectively can make the difference between a 30% rating and a 70% rating. If you believe your disability rating doesn’t accurately reflect your conditions, or if the VA has denied your claim, you have options. The claims process involves detailed medical evidence, understanding VA regulations, and knowing how to respond to requests for information. Missing deadlines or submitting incomplete evidence can delay your claim for months or result in a denial.
At Glover Luck LLP, we help Texas veterans fight for the benefits they’ve earned through their service. Whether you’re filing an initial claim, seeking a rating increase, or appealing a denial, having someone who understands the system can help you move forward with confidence. We can review your case, gather necessary medical evidence, and help you build the strongest possible claim. Contact Glover Luck LLP to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
