If you’re a U.S. veteran living with a 60% disability rating and you’re married, you could be entitled to $1,523.93 every single month in tax-free compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. But many veterans are unaware of just how much they should be receiving—or that their marital status can significantly impact that figure.
That’s why understanding your exact VA benefits is more important than ever in 2025, especially with the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) now in effect.
What’s Behind the Numbers?
Each year, the VA updates disability compensation rates based on inflation and cost-of-living changes. For 2025, a 2.5% COLA increase was applied, boosting monthly checks for millions of veterans. If your disability rating is 60% and you’re married, the official VA payout is $1,523.93 per month, up from $1,486.39 in 2024.
But that’s just the starting point.
What If You Have Kids or Parents Who Depend on You?
If you’re raising children or caring for parents, your monthly payment could climb even higher. Here’s how the numbers break down:
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Veteran with spouse and one child under 18: $1,586.93/month
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Veteran with spouse and two parents: $1,727.93/month
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Additional for each child under 18: Add $63.00/month per child
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Child over 18 in school (college, vocational training): Add $205.00/month
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Spouse who needs Aid & Attendance (A&A): Add another $117.00/month
These figures are stackable, meaning if you qualify for multiple dependent categories, your monthly check grows accordingly.
Why This Matters
Too many veterans rely solely on their base disability rate without realizing the VA compensates for family responsibilities too. If you haven’t updated your dependent status with the VA, or if you’re unaware that your spouse qualifies for Aid and Attendance, you could be missing out on hundreds of dollars each month.
That kind of money adds up—$117 more per month for A&A is over $1,400 a year. Add a couple of kids or dependent parents into the mix, and you could see your benefit increase by thousands annually.
What You Should Do Now
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Check your dependent status with the VA. You can do this online through VA.gov.
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File for Aid and Attendance if your spouse needs daily help with activities like bathing, eating, or dressing.
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Add dependents like children or parents if they rely on your financial support.
This isn’t just paperwork—it’s your earned benefit. And in today’s economy, ensuring every eligible dollar is making its way into your bank account can make a real difference.
Final Thought
Veterans with a 60% disability rating and a spouse deserve to know exactly what’s owed to them. In 2025, that amount is $1,523.93 per month—tax-free. But for many, the full value of their benefit isn’t being claimed. Don’t leave money on the table. If you served, you’ve earned it. Make sure you’re getting every dollar.
