Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026

This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for various veterans' benefits. Effective December 1, 2026, this measure ensures that compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for eligible survivors are increased. The percentage of this increase will directly mirror the COLA applied to Social Security benefits for the same period. Specifically, the bill mandates increases for several categories, including wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, and the clothing allowance. It also covers all dollar amounts related to DIC for surviving spouses and and children. The Secretary is further authorized to administratively adjust rates for certain other disability compensation recipients and must publish the new adjusted rates in the Federal Register by a specified deadline.