Every few years, Congress
updates the rates given for VA
Disability and Special
Monthly Compensation based on the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) that
reflect the rate of inflation throughout the nation.
The last COLA adjustment
was 1.7% in December 2014. This year’s increase, however, is significantly
lower at only 0.3%.
Over the last 10
years, the average COLA adjustment was 1.7% per year. This average has decreased from the previous
decade’s 2.6% per year, and is nowhere near the highest COLA average of 7.3%
per year during the decade from 1975-1984. This shows that the country’s rate
of inflation has significantly slowed over the past 40 years.
The increases are automatic, and you
should have already seen them in your December disability checks. If not,
contact your local VA office.