Legislation to Give Disabled Veterans Increase in VA Disability Compensation Payments

VA pay rates
Banknotes in the military uniform pocket
Disabled veterans will hopefully soon see a small increase in their monthly VA benefits after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a cost-of living adjustment recently. The measure is intended to provide veterans and their families with more money to keep up with rising costs of food, housing, and other costs of living paid for with their monthly disability benefits.  According to the bill, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA), the increase would go into effect December 1, 2015.

What The Legislation Provides

The U.S. House passed the bill, known as H.R. 675: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015, on July 28, 2015, by a vote of 409-0.  Before becoming law, the measure will have to be passed by the U.S. Senate where it is currently being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  You can read a full copy of the legislation here.  In addition to the cost-of-living, the legislation addresses a few other issues relating to judges’ compensation on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and other minor changes related to VA claims processing.

The cost-of-living adjustment would provide for increases in disability compensation benefits, including the amount of additional compensation veterans receive when they are rated at least 30% and have dependents.  Those receiving clothing allowances and surviving dependents of deceased veterans (both spouses and children) would also see the increase in their Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.

Details Still Pending

The amount of the cost-of-living adjustment is not yet known since it is not specified in the legislation.  Rather, the increase for veterans is indexed to that for Social Security recipients.  However, the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security will not be decided until October of this year.  Last year’s increase was 1.7% of the monthly benefit.  For more information on the amount of benefits disabled veterans and their families may receive, take a look at the VA’s current compensation rates.

This legislation is important since there is no automatic CPI-indexing provision in the law for veterans to receive an increase each year.   Instead, there must be legislation each year to provide for any cost-of-living increase for veterans and their dependents.

Because the cost-of-living adjustment is only intended to help keep up with inflation, this proposed increase will not really improve disabled veterans’ ability to cover all their financial needs.  If you or a loved one is a disabled veteran who believes an increase in VA benefits is deserved, you should consider applying for an increased rating on one or more service-connected conditions. For more information, check out our previous blog on increased ratings and contact us on this page or by phone for a free consultation on your veterans disability claim.

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

Rita BarnesRita Barnes
00:03 20 Jan 22
This is a great group of people who really care about your well being. They all treated me as though I was family and helped me with my work comp case in more ways than the average would have.Thank you Jason and Thank you Tina! For doing an awesome job.
Cortex ButlerCortex Butler
18:09 29 Dec 21
I am a Veteran of United States Air Force and was awarded my first 30% in 1996 and have been fighting for my rating for 26 years I came to Perkins and Studdard in 2019 while my mom was in a terrible incident and was given to much anesthesia and through GODS Grace she was spared her life, She is disabled since 2018 and I have been struggling with my life and issues and yet I didn’t call the law firm every 10 minutes or call being rude anytime, I mentioned this as I got to know Jessica more than just a phone call and Mr Studdard was always available when not working on other cases or in court, They always called back and Never had to do a call back, My Review is Simple in Life there peaks and valleys and it doesn’t stop because you have issues, Perkins & Studdard took my case in 2019 in 2021 I received my 100% from VA, I Was Never Rude, I was Never Promised Success, I Was Never Lied too and I was Always Treated with Respect, Friendliness, and Kindness the Real Stuff not a (Money Thing) If You want a firm that Cares about the Client and will work on your case even through a pandemic, Will not lie, will not promise anything will communicate your case and will Give you their Best ALWAYS THIS IS THE Best Law Firm for VETS HANDS DOWN Perkins and Studdard THERE IS NO OTHER 100% we had 5 calls Total Case That’s Taking Care Of Business
annetteMomma nokesannetteMomma nokes
14:29 12 Sep 16
Jason and his paralegal Lisa were on point and on top of their game when it came to handling my worker's comp. injury case. I tried going it alone and the insurance carrier pushed me around. They denied extra physical therapy. They denied injections the doctor recommended to ease my pain. When I turned my case over to Jason things turned around, QUICK. They were at all times attentive and on top of my case. I cannot recommend Jason and his staff enough. If you are hurt at work, this is the firm you want on YOUR side.
Sheila KirklinSheila Kirklin
23:11 12 May 16
Jason Perkins, was my lawyer in a workers comp. case, my case has settled now, and I am very happy for all Jason and his office hard work on my case, he was always there to help me out with any questions that I had or help I needed. Jason is a excellent lawyer and if I ever need another one I would only go to Perkins,Because I believe they would be able to help me in any situation I am in need of..
Anna PabonAnna Pabon
23:16 13 Sep 15
I recommend Perkins Law Firm. Everyone I came in contact with there was very nice. Kim was very helpful and any time I had a question she made sure I got an answer. Ann Margaret really took the time to explain things to me.
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