60 VA Disability Pay Increase – Updated Amount, Eligibility and Payout Dates

What the 60 VA Disability Pay Increase Means for You

The 60 VA disability pay increase affects veterans rated at 60% disabling conditions. It refers to changes in the monthly compensation rate that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays, usually tied to annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) or legislative changes.

This article explains how to find the updated amount, confirms who is eligible, and outlines typical payout dates so you can plan your finances.

Where to Find the Updated Amount for 60 VA Disability Pay Increase

The VA posts current disability compensation tables on VA.gov each year. These tables show monthly rates for each rating level and for different dependent situations.

To get the official updated amount:

Go to VA.gov and search for “Disability Compensation Rates”.
Select the most recent calendar year table.
Find the row for 60% and match it to your dependent status (single, spouse, children, or parents).

Quick tip

You can also call the VA or check your eBenefits or VA.gov profile to see the exact monthly payment assigned to your claim.

Eligibility for the 60 VA Disability Pay Increase

Eligibility is based primarily on your VA disability rating. A 60% rating must be assigned by the VA through a claims decision or rating review.

Key eligibility points:

You must have an active VA disability rating of 60% for service-connected conditions.
Ratings are determined using the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD).
Dependency status (spouse, children, dependent parents) affects the monthly amount.
Certain benefits like Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) or additional allowances may increase the total beyond the base 60% rate.

How the 60 VA Disability Pay Increase Is Calculated

There are two common ways the monthly amount changes:

Annual COLA: When Social Security announces a COLA, the VA typically applies the same percentage increase to disability rates effective December 1 of that year.
Legislative or administrative rate changes: Congress or the VA can change rates outside the COLA cycle.

To calculate your net increase, compare the previous monthly rate to the new published rate for 60% and for your dependency status. The difference is your gross monthly increase.

Typical Payout Dates and When Changes Take Effect

The effective date for most annual VA rate updates is December 1 of the year the COLA applies. Payments reflecting the new rate are often included in the January deposit following the change.

Common timing:

VA publishes new rates in late fall after SSA announces COLA.
Rates are effective December 1 of that year.
Veterans see adjusted payments in the January payment cycle (paid in January for December’s rate).

Exact dates and exceptions

If your rating decision is issued mid-year, the effective date of any increase tied to a new rating will depend on the VA’s decision letter. Retroactive payments may apply if the VA assigns a higher rating with an earlier effective date.

Did You Know?

Most VA disability pay increases follow the Social Security COLA, but you must check the VA rate tables each year because dependency status changes your exact amount.

Example Calculation and Small Case Study

The numbers below are an illustrative example to show how to figure your 60 VA disability pay increase. Always verify actual rates on VA.gov.

Case study: Veteran A (illustrative)

Veteran A has a 60% VA disability rating and no dependents. Prior monthly compensation (hypothetical) was $900. After a 3% COLA, the VA updates the 60% rate to $927.

Previous monthly rate (example): $900
New monthly rate after 3% COLA (example): $927
Monthly increase (example): $27
First payment reflecting change typically appears in January for the December effective rate.

If Veteran A had a dependent spouse, the base amount used would be the 60% with spouse line on the VA table and the resulting increase would use those published figures instead.

Step-by-Step: Confirm Your Personal Updated Amount

Visit VA.gov and open the current Disability Compensation Rates table.
Locate the 60% rating row and pick the column matching your dependents.
Note the new monthly figure and subtract your previous monthly amount to see the increase.
Check your VA.gov account, bank deposit, or VA letter to confirm the payment date and any retroactive amounts.

Common Questions and Practical Notes

If your payments do not reflect the updated rate in the expected month, contact the VA. Processing delays or account issues can prevent timely updates.

Keep supporting documents—marriage certificates, birth certificates, or dependency paperwork—up to date in your VA profile to ensure you receive the correct dependent rate.

Final Checklist

Verify the current 60% rate on VA.gov each year.
Confirm your dependency status is current with the VA.
Expect rate changes to be effective December 1 and generally paid in January.
Contact the VA for discrepancies or to request retroactive payments if a higher rating is granted.

If you need help finding the exact updated amount for your specific situation, the VA benefits hotline and accredited veterans service organizations can run the numbers for you and explain payout dates and retroactivity.