Beginning in 2023, disabled veterans and military retirees are likely to see a record pay increase for the second year in a row.
After taking into account the current pace of inflation, early projections estimate that COLA rates will rise by 9.6%.
COLA, or the Cost of Living Adjustment, is money that is for the purpose of covering higher costs of food, transportation, clothing and other non-housing items. It is typically tied to social security rates.
If the projections for the rise in COLA for 2023 come to fruition, it will be the largest increase veterans have seen in 40 years.
More info via Military.com:
For 2023, that means military retirees would see an average increase of more than $240 in their monthly retirement checks. Veterans receiving disability compensation from the VA also would see their monthly disability payments increase, with the average monthly amount going up by more than $150.
The VA says nearly 5.2 million veterans receive disability compensation, with an annual benefit of $18,858 as of 2021. According to the Defense Department, there are around 1.87 million military retirees, who had an annual average retirement payment of $30,265 in 2020, the most recent year for which data was readily available.
There are still 5 months left in 2022, so the annual COLA increase is not yet set in stone. But if inflation continues to rise throughout the year, we could end up seeing an even larger rate increase in 2023.
The annual COLA adjustment affects 1 in 5 Americans, and it is calculated based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index).
How to file a burn pit claim when I’m already 100% for secondary claim
I am wondering who I go through to file a claim for disability since I have had more problems happen to my legs since I was ran over in 1980. I get disability for 1 leg but the bad leg has made the good leg bad now.
Hi Chuck you can file a claim for disability through your local VA representative-DAV/TEXAS VETS/VETERANS BENEFITS office. Or call 1 800 827-1000 to file a claim(they will put in an :intent to file” and send you the paperwork to fill out. you can also go on Ebenefits and file your claim. You can Youtube VA claims and their are representavies on there that will walk you through the process. Good luck and remember you deserve all your benefits!
Ask for secondary good leg to bad leg. Get Dr. To write letter that bad leg is causing good leg ..a disability.
Go to one of the free service orgs…Dav, American Legion , etc.. they are located at Veterans Admin. Offices.
Hi my name is Sandy. I am disabled and had neck surgery in 2015. Since then they have gone up and down with the pain meds. Now my records has a big stamp on my file that shows I was on morphine. I am no longer on morphine. If I have any pain problems they think I just want to receive meds instead of finding out what is wrong. I am sick and tired of being placed in a category instead of trying to help find out what is wrong.
Hello Sandra, with the increase of over using/over dosing on pain meds they are trying to weed out the abusers(not saying you are one of them), People also sell their meds and or lose them to get more. There are many reasons why this may be happening, they could be trying to wean you off them. Go to a private physician and get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on your neck issue. There are more ways to get help, listen to other stories of poeple that have been and are now in your situation. and remember only you know your pain level, and what you deal with on a daily. Dont give up and never give in to your health and well being. Go up higher in the chain of command(who is over your doctor, write the director, congressman etc). Good luck and most of all Pray to God for wisdom and patience for both yourself and your providers.- Peace out
The 2022 COLA, effective Jan 1st, 2923, is likely to be a record adjustment. We will know what the COLA will be by Oct 15th and in effect on Jan 1st, 2023.
COLA is currently based on the CPI-W index. As of Oct 10th, my trend analysis shows that the COLA will be 8.9% due to some seasonality in CPI indices. Social Security and military benefits are based on the same index and will get the same COLA.
Unfortunately, there is another issue on the table that would lower COLA. A newer index, CPI-E (for the Elderly), has been generated on a research basis. Often touted as being more “fair” to retirees, CPI-E can produce a COLA that is either greater or less than the CPI-W COLA. The change from CPI-W to CPI-E requires Congressional action. This change, I understand, was in Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation which failed to pass in Congress.
Based on my trend analysis, CPI-E will provide a COLA of 7.5%. This COLA is lower than CPI-W COLA and is a 15% lower increase in our benefits. About $46 a month less for a 100% Disabled Vet. Biden, a non-Vet, has a history of being stingy toward retirees.
We paid for our benefits with our taxes and bodies. The annual COLA is a significant cost item. A 1/10th of 1% increase in COLA costs the government about a Billion dollars each year.
Welcome Home!
Thank you to the current Administration for help all Veterans with their daily struggles by providing a raise.
Biden absolutely not stingy. Has opened many doors for vets. His Son was in military and died of c ancer so Biden has a soft heart for vets.
My Husband is 100% and has been for 40 years. When he came out SSDI told him he could not file for SSDI and VA at the same time. We didn’t find out till years later that he could have and should have been able to do that. When he tried to file again he was told it was to late and he didn’t have enough work credits to file for SSDI. So we have been doing all these years without that money. Is there any way he could go back and look into it now because he was lied to way back then?
Yes! I don’t believe you were “LIED” to… the laws change constantly. I’m a 100%disabled vet.. I just found out that in 2017 something was signed allowing states to use your VA disability as an income…. they didn’t use to be allowed!!! But if you get 100% VA, just go and submit it all again, they will prorate it.. I got a chunk payment of $22,000 for about 2yrs they owed… you will get way more!
Goto SS website and sign up for SSDI again…..
SSrequires that u have 35 work credits to receive SSDI. Apparently ur husband does not have that many and is ineligible. Try filing w SS for SSI, SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME. however it is based on disability and income. This benefit is for disabled people AND PD BY STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.
I have a hard time getting my wife as my added as my dependent. I’ve been married to my wife for 40 years, but the VA says I have to divorce papers from my 1st wife and my 2nd wife as well. Why.
William D Singletary
Viet Nam [email protected] 80percent
When you married your wife 40 yrs ago, did you not add her then as your dependant? And whether or not you’ve had 2 other wives, it seems to me that your present wife has been with you the longest, therefor entitled to be added and recieve all your benefits as well. Something doesnt’ sound right, reach out to someone else(and or SS). research this and call ChampVa/Tricare for assistance also at your local VA. Ask around to your other comrades in arms also. Keep investigating(grab a Disability VA handbook and read it)
The law states that there must be divorce decrees for each wife. Then u ask for ur current wife to be added. I worked at VA and many times several wives wanted the deceased veterans benefits, that is why they require the divorce decrees.
I don’t know how anyone being paid 100% could have a complaint. if you can’t live comfortably on 3000 + dollars a month then maybe you need to take a money management class at your local Jr College. But most of all stop whining. it’s unbecoming a war veteran.
Yes Sir. You are right.
Where on earth do you live for 3000 per month? Nowadays an apt could cost 2k then add car and ins so 3000 is nice but cannot be the only income to survive. If you live in the Philippines 3000 would be ok but not in most states.
Yes we need all the help we can get even veteran not 100% not even 10 % or more is paying on every visit to the VA ………
Ron, not only with the high cost of living, and your living standards $3000 dollars does not go a long way. If your home isnt paid for, you still have mortgage, food, lights , water, gas, household needs to pay for. Car notes/insurance, kids, parents, etc. They maybe helping someone, you never know. The average worker stays on the job over 40 yrs now because retirement doesnt pay the bills, some end up getting a second job or going back to work. We are all in the struggle unless we are already Rich, or have an inheritance. and yes some people clearly still eat out a lot and spend money on clothes, trips, and irrevelant items. But obviously this person needs help, thats why they are asking. some people are taking care of their kids, grandkids also. Money is funny sometimes, but needed all times.
Ha! I have a VA story for you. Vietnam vet/agent orange
Diabetes II, HPN, high chloresterol, ED, AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY. Along with hypothyroidism. VA lumped the diabetes, high blood pressure, and ED under 1 rating of 20%. AFTER giving me an overall of 90% for years they sent me to another VES who saying I no longer have neuropathy. so they dropping me to 70%.
Didn’t even know they could do that!
Denied: hearing loss, ( but 10% for tinnitus); denied and fought for the thyroid now 10%, 77 years old denied Caretaker for my wife.
Yessir, VA really takes care of its vets!
92 yo Korean combat veteran. VA 100% disability. No balance, barely walk with walker.
applied for VA family care assistance program late 2020. Had 3 or 4 phone
conversations with a female from VA care giver support. Many, Many questions.
My inability to walk is 24/7, 12 months a year. No medical records from family doctor
or VA attending doctor allowed. Results of phone calls were that I was denied family health care support because my disability was only six months a year not 12 months a year. Results of a telephone medical examination. I request a VA medical examination to verify my disability. I was given an appointment for the Physical Therapy dept.at the Philadelphia VA hospital. Upon arrival the lady in charge did not know why I was. there nor were my medical records present. The lady had me walk
around with my walker. I guess that was my medical examination. She gave me another 4 wheel walker to take home.. No medical examination allowed, I guess.
Presented this matter to the Inspector General, Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C. The I.G. agreed with VA Care Giver Support denial in my case..
About a year ago the VA gave me a power scooter. I thought that was only for
veterans with a walking disability. VA health care once again a JOKE…….
John sometimes the system(people in charge) work against you, and not for you! BUT don’t give up. Call a VA laywer (youtube has plenty on their site) listen and learn the many ways to increase your disability that you didnt know about. The VA has been sending vets on the outside(fee base doctors) for a while, and not only do they rarely have your records, they ask you a few questions and you are out of there in less than 7 min(literally had a C&P last month and the female doctor who was evaluating my breathing/respiratory/fibromaylia) saw me for 7 min to include the wait time… The system is designed to deny some right off and then they hope you give up(which will prove to them that you dont need it(though you deserve it). Go see an outside doctor, get your notes and resubmit your claim, write your own letter of what you deal with, get others that know what you have been going through to write a letter for you also, write your congressman, and keep appealing and appealing. Bless your heart. My dad was a Korean War vet(passed away in 1998 dec 30th
That is a damn shame….They are waiting for us to die off. Now they are bring up this Camp Lejune mess… how many vets and or family members have passed on? Good luck buddy.
Ha! I have a VA story for you. Vietnam vet/agent orange
Diabetes II, HPN, high chloresterol, ED, AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY. Along with hypothyroidism. VA lumped the diabetes, high blood pressure, and ED under 1 rating of 20%. AFTER giving me an overall of 90% for years they sent me to another VES who saying I no longer have neuropathy. so they dropping me to 70%.
Didn’t even know they could do that!
Denied: hearing loss, ( but 10% for tinnitus); fought for the thyroid now 10%, 77 years old denied Caretaker for my wife.
Yessir, VA really takes care of its vets!
Great to see the VA getting the increase through every year with the COLA to keep up with inflation.
I left the Air Force in 1974 as an 03. Receive a hip injury that same year on active duty. Arthritis developed in the hip some years later. Fed original claim in 2012, denied. Fimed again in 2015, denied. With services of a well versed attorney, familiar with VA (worked for VA) filed again March 2022 with more medical support and recommendations of my physician. How long does it take for a decision under the so called expedited process?
Fred, it varies from 3 months to 3yrs. The claim process has gotten better in expedited these claims. Look forward to your possible back pay, and im glad you didnt give out or up! With you having a lawyer-your on track … Good luck and dont spend all your money in one place(smile)
I’m a 100% disabled and my doctor is too afraid to give the medications the Veterans what they need to control your pain!
Find a different doctor, if you’re in constant pain you shouldn’t have to suffer. Just my opinion.
Thank-you,
Diane
I agree with Diane. If your PCM is a VA doctor, then request to be re-assigned to a different team now!
I’m seeing a doctor through my wife’s medical plan and am getting the pain meds that I need.
Additionally, I was approved for 100% service connected disability through a civilian doctor which I couldn’t get through a VA doctor..
I couldn’t get approved for VA disability during the eight years Obama was in office but was approved the first year President Trump was in office and cleaned house in the VA Administration.
I’m just the opposite couldn”t get the time of day from Donnie but as soon as Biden got in and cleaned out the unqualified va people I got my 100% this month. So it just goes to prove dosen”t matter who’s in the white house if he’s not a vet he dosen”t understand us.
Joey is not a veteran
My husband taught 10 years , as soon as Trump cleaned up the VA he was approved, lived only one year after . Wish wives could collect their full benefits.
Was your husband at 100 percent disabled by the VA? If he was call your local chapter DAV they are there to help All disabled American Veteran’s from every branch
They help the Widowed if eligible and other family members if eligible
The President doesn’t have anything to do setting disability percentage. Those dots don’t connect. Think again amigo.
This guy must be a racist. Obama has nothing to do with veterans’ ratings or much of anything the VA approves.
First off it is Congress that makes the laws and during Obama the house and Senate was run by Republicans. They cut a lot of benefits for the VA.
It was not trump
WHY, must you make this political? One thing has NOTHING to do with the so PLEASE Stop it! This forum is strictly for the thousands of Retired Military & Veterans just like you, & me who’s actually sacrificed for our Country, and not Whose rich dad that who paid off doctors to lie for their “Cowardice & Neglect” to NOT make any sacrifices in serving our country! So please let’s stay on topics concerning “REAL HEROES”! Thank You, Combat Retired Veteran
overall it bhas been mny experiernce that the VA falls far short if doing an adequate joib of providing care and service to us veterans knckludung diabled veterans like myself who suffered hearing loss from exposure to high decibel sounds during my service overseas related to Koreavn War. I am an Army veteran who served on active duty from 1953 to 1956..
Amen the VA is now paying for hearing loss and providing hearing aids.
I was in Vietnam in 1969 got into agent orange now my feet are all messed up I get a 70% disability now I have to take Hydrocodone pain pills for the rest of my life just to stop the pain .
I’m so sorry that happened to you. My brother was sprayed with agent orange more than once. He died at age 62 of pancreatic cancer.
Richard,
I am an Air Force veteran with a 90% combined rating evaluation. What is the date of your last Rating Decision and what is the evaluation percentage assigned for that specific disability, if you don’t mind my asking?
i am also 70% and i have about 5 medical issues take hydrocodone and gabapentin for a long time and the pain is very bad that i have to live with. i lost eleven buddieds overseas and i have seen psygh people st the va for a long time but it does not help imy serrotone am know 71 years old and i have tryed to end it all twice i was brought back one time by cpr and was stoped the second time.my doctor said my serrotone level which is your thinking level i had one brother at age 21 august 16th killed invietnam and another one when he got out of the army at the age of 36 and drank 8 cans of budweiser and put a shot gun under his chin and pulled the triger the doctor said he died instanty out of 5 brothers the youngest and the oldest brother are gone. 3 are left only 1 did not serve.how do i keep living with what i had to indure. is there a power greater than ourselves.to restore me to sanity.
Yes, HE”S CALLED THE lORD Jesus, JUST ASK HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART AND RECEIVE HIM AS lORD, AND SAVIOR. i DID AND HE CAME IN AND CHANGED ME. I SPENT 3 YEARS IN VIETNAM IN Ranger command IN Mekong delta ENDED UP alcoholic, CRAZY with PTSD on Steroids and the Lord delivered from all of it
The “Sinner’s Prayer” is a powerful prayer… AMEN Brother!
Retired from the Air Force; 1992, signed up for SBP. My wife passed away in 2018. I’m still having to pay into the program why? Can I recover the funds paid into the program?
You have contact DFAS to have them stop taking SBP payment out of your retirement.
You should be able to cancel the program.
Make sure that you are not receiving benefits based on “with spouse”.
It took me years to realize and then I had to pay back thousands.
Ouch!
Your right! After my wife passed & was able to think straight. I emeaatly contacted the VA. Only had to pay back 2 mos. They wanted to take it out in payments.
I wrote them a check . End of story!
Iam a Vietnam vet..landed in Saigon at 7am from Okinawa.spend 6hrs before i was order to get back on a c130 and was in otapow,Cambodia. Spend the nite and then ship to namphon,thialand.. the v.a. has no record of my flight record. What the he’ll was going on in 1972. 10% is all I get. Who can really help me.
I’m was denied for years and then I contacted Trajector Medical and they have me at 80% and we’re working on my 100%
Try (if you haven’t) The flight archives for the manifest of passengers on the flight on the C130 for that time and date you left.
I was 70% then went to the American Legion and they got me 100% unemployable.
My problem is getting SSDI they have denied me 3 times. I’m still fighting for it. Stay consistent!!
Go to your Congtessmans office and ask they research in obtaining those records for you. I have had good luck w them finding records for vets.
My husband is on disability, been married 46 years. If something would happen to him as a widower would I start receiving his disability? Or have to apply for it.?
My husband was 100% disabled from issues with agent orange, I receive a widows pension and it is over $1500, You need to go talk to someone at the VA. If your husband goes to a VA doctor, most of them have an office with someone to see what you need to do to make sure you get it. Go in and talk to someone now..
was told by dav & va that after ten years of being 100% disabled, that when I die my wife would continue receiving it. Would someone with va please confirm this for me? thanks James Lawson Fletcher last four 3772
Your wife would not receive your 100% rating pay, but would receive DIC after you pass away. Right now that is approximately $ 1,635 a month.
You would apply for DIC at your local DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.or Any Veterans Organization Service Officer can help with applying.
I am not an expert: My understanding is that once he has passed, you cannot receive his disability checks anymore but there are a lot of programs out there that may alter this fact.
My husband is on disability, been married 46 years. If something would happen to him as a widower would I start receiving his disability?
did he take reduced retirement for survivor benefits? My husband served active duty 24 years and opted for reduced retirement to ensure I have survivor benefits. Ask him if he selected t have survivor benefits.
She isn’t referencing survivor benefits for retirement pay. She is referencing disability pay DIC, for service members receiving disability pay for disabilities during wartime injuries. No other time period has be identified For payments after the service member passes to my knowledge.
You need to see if you qualify for DIC. This is in reference to receiving some of his disability pay not a portion of retirement pay for
military service
Also wanted to add he only had 17.5 years in the AF, but I kept up with the VA once we were married just before his Quad bypass. By the way there are several different things that can be 100%. The $$ amount goes up as the percentage goes up for different issues.
I am not an expert: My understanding is that once he has passed, you cannot receive his disability checks anymore but there are a lot of programs out there that may alter this fact.
I am the widow of a deseased, 100% disabled Navy Veteran. I’m am thankful for every penny, BUT, I’m told $1400 is as much as I’ll get. I don’t have dependant children. Can anyone live on $1400/mo? Is the 2023 Cola going to help us Widows? Is there any hope of ever getting an amount we can live on? He spent 25 years and I did too as a spouse enduring years of sea duty and finally his horrible death from Agent Orange exposure. I loved our time in the Navy but the Navy doesn’t take care of me.
You should be able to get his or your social security which ever is higher. Or you might look to see if the VA has a better pay through your husbands passing as a spouse you qualify for other benefits that might be of a higher amount. Research is the key.
If VA 100% disabled you could qualify for DIC .worth looking into .
Are you old enough to also receive SSI benefits?
If you receive disability at any payable percentage, you will see the cola increase. I understand tinnitus claims are no longer an automatic 10%. Hearing loss must be severe to receive a compensable award. You don’t get disability if you don’t apply. The VA does not know your military background. You don’t need a lawyer or anyone really, you just need to be able to prove your injuries. Did you see a doctor or did you just work through it? If it isn’t in your medical or personnel file, it isn’t happening.
I have been asking since 2017 to get something for my hearing loss. They gave me 0% on my hearing and said that only my right ear is service connected. I finally got 10% for my tinnitus which I also filled at the same time. I have been sent to 4 audiologist they say they don’t understand why I’m not getting compensation for both ears and they are in their 0pinion I should be getting something. I never had a hearing test when I got out of the service.
Download Reddit, and subscribe to the veteran benefits thread. We would be glad to help you through this process.
The retired vet who received the ssb did know he had to pay that money back when he started receiving disability I was in the same predicament we were all told we had to pay that money back when we accepted that money
I am a medical retired service conected vet.(4 buletits and muttipul shapnul woumds) When I was retired I was told I would be intitled to al of the same benifits as a 20 yr. vet. The VA rates me at 100% .And just because I did not ride a PRIFILE like some and then retired after 20 they colect bouth.I am only tauking about 3-4 hundred dollars but I am on a fixed incom and thats a loy of money to me.Every year they say they are going to fix it but it always gets cut???
I retired as an e-7 after 30years. I do not qualify for any VA benefits. They say I make too much money. Now at age 83 I am almost totally disabled, most of it caused by aircraft carrier duty.
I had the same problem. Contact a civilian attorney that handles VA Disabled claims. You pay nothing if nothing is awarded. What state do you live in?
That’s bull crap, James! VA told me the same thing. I went talk to DAV and they helped me file the correct papers for disability. I now have 10% disability, and full VA Med benefits! Contact DAV!
Don (Navy, Retired AF)
im at a 100% with va disabled after 30yrs would it come to me the incease also
If your disability pay wasnt taken from you’re retirement pay, then you would be double dipping. You get the benefit of paying no tax on your VA disability.
I agree, This .money should come from a different source, , Sgtmaj JJ Kegler, Ret. 1996, over 30 years in the USMC.
Most of the Retirees from the military needs a pay adjustment many of us cannot work no matter what your percentage may be for our disability.
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With that projected increase for Cola how does that come into play for 100% disabled veterans
As a single disabled Veteran completely alone with no inside help, I receive 100% Disability and not much of a SSDI check. Rent takes up most of this, the high cost of living the rest. How does this help people like me?
I had the same problem. Contact a civilian attorney that handles VA Disabled claims. You pay nothing if nothing is awarded. What state do you live in?
If you’re 100%i have a hard time believing you can’t make ends meet. I’m 100% and I am divorced and they take my SSDI for child support. If you’re rent costs near 3.5k you should find somewhere else to live.
That would be ok for some people ,but here in Southwest Florida a one bedroom apt cost starting at over 2,300 a month. Where could this person move to?
louisville,kentucky 2bedroom apartment $900 a month
You get the cola increase as well. Plus if on ss you will get the increase with them as well.
Congrats. My husband is 100 total and unemployable he has cited all increases with cola. No worries
I too receive 20% as well I agree 100% it should come from a pot of its own an still be taxed free.
I have hearing & tinnitus in both ears but only being paid for one side.
Actually for hearing lose and/or tinnitus you don’t get paid anything…it’s just documented…double check because that is a very common mistake people make. Check your percentage for each claim…hearing/tinnitus should be 0# you are getting 20% for something else.
They’re probably talking about another disability that gives them 10% along with tinnitus
Hello, I receive a 20% disability for loss of hearing. But i don’t believe my pay should come out of my retirement pay as in my Guard ret. My disability should be paid from its own pot off money instead of taking it out of my regular pay.