Coryell County Veterans to Get 2.8% VA Disability Increase Dec. 1, 2025

The Social Security Administration announced Oct. 24, 2025 that the 2026 cost‑of‑living adjustment is 2.8%, and VA rate tables show the increase applies to disability compensation effective December 1, 2025 for veterans nationwide, including those living in Coryell County. Vaclaimsinsider states, “2026 VA disability pay rates increase 2.8% with the annual COLA. The new VA disability rates are effective December 1, 2025.”

The adjustment affects multiple benefit programs used by local veterans. CCK Law lists the categories that rise with the COLA as VA disability compensation, TDIU, SMC, DIC, and most VA benefits, and notes practical help with enrollment by saying “How to apply: Automatic for existing benefits; no further action required from veterans.” Military.com underlined the tax status and timing, writing, “These amounts are effective Dec. 1 of each year. They are tax‑free.”

There is a timing wrinkle residents should watch. VA and related outlets agree the new rates are effective Dec. 1, 2025, but CCK Law lists “First payment: December 31, 2025,” while Tucker Disability Law says beneficiaries need take no action and that “The increase just appears in your January payment.” The two attributions reflect the same effective date but different descriptions of when the increased dollars may land in bank accounts.

Local impact can be calculated from the published tables. CCK Law’s 2025 vs 2026 single‑veteran table shows, for example, a 10% rating rising from $175.51 in 2025 to $180.42 in 2026 (+$4.91) and a 100% single‑veteran payment rising from $3,831.30 in 2025 to $3,938.58 in 2026 (+$107.28). Tucker Disability Law provides an alternate illustrative example for a 100% veteran projecting $3,831.30 in 2025 to about $3,934.75 in 2026 (+$103.45); that lower figure reflects a 2.7% example used in Tucker’s calculation versus the 2.8% SSA/VA figure.

Dependent and Aid‑and‑Attendance add‑ons are shown in the VA tables reproduced by Military.com and Vaclaimsinsider. For a veteran rated 30% with a spouse and child, the monthly payment is listed as $666.47; for 100% ratings the base payment for a veteran alone is $3,938.58 with each additional child under 18 adding $109.11, each additional schoolchild over 18 adding $352.45, and an Aid & Attendance spouse add‑on of $201.41. The VA content and Vaclaimsinsider both note that veterans rated 10% ($180.42) or 20% ($356.66) do not receive additional compensation for dependents.

Coryell County veterans in Gatesville, Copperas Cove, or communities near Fort Cavazos who want to confirm their exact monthly figures should consult the official VA compensation rate tables and the SSA announcement for the definitive COLA. For help interpreting the tables, the research notes list some national assistance contacts: CCK Law provides a help line at 800‑544‑9144, and Vaclaimsinsider displays 737‑295‑2226 for claim questions. Military.com’s summary reiterates the timing and tax status: “These amounts are effective Dec. 1 of each year. They are tax‑free.”

Reporting across sources shows a clear majority pointing to a 2.8% COLA. As CCK Law put it, “The 2026 VA COLA increase was 2.8%.” Because some outlets described the payment arriving in January and others listed a December 31 first payment, beneficiaries should check VA notifications and bank statements to confirm when the higher amount posts.