VA 2026 Payment Rates, Layoffs & Medical Marijuana

VA 2026 Payment Rates, Layoffs & Medical Marijuana

In this episode of VA News, we break down three major updates every veteran should know — including the estimated VA 2026 payment rates, recent announcements on VA layoffs, and the latest developments on medical marijuana access for veterans.

VA disability attorney Greg and attorney Victoria Rada explain what these changes could mean for you, from how the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) impacts monthly benefits to the potential for VA doctors to recommend cannabis in states where it’s legal.

Here’s what we cover:

VA Layoffs: Why the Department of Veterans Affairs no longer expects to lay off employees in 2024, and how voluntary job cuts are shaping staffing levels.

Medical Marijuana: The latest on congressional action that could allow VA doctors to recommend cannabis to veterans, plus discussion on psychedelic therapies for veteran care.

VA 2026 Payment Rates: Current COLA projections, how much benefits may increase, and when you can expect to see the new rates in your payments.

We also share real-world examples to help you understand how a projected 2.5% COLA increase could affect monthly VA compensation for different disability ratings.

💬 Question for viewers: Do you think a 2.5% COLA increase reflects the real rise in your cost of living? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Resources Mentioned:
▪️ Senior Citizens League COLA Tracker: https://seniorsleague.org/cola-watch/
▪️ Military Times VA Layoffs Article: https://www.militarytimes.com/veteran...

Need help with your VA claim? Contact After Service at ➡️ https://rebrand.ly/after-service-book

Contact Attorney, Gregory M.Rada at [email protected]

Gregory M. Rada, Attorney at Law, specializes in VA disability compensation appeals for disabled veterans and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) appeals for surviving spouses. Mr. Rada gives legal counsel to veterans who are unable to work due to injuries and disabilities sustained while on active duty.
As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Rada, can relate to his clients, and as a disabled veteran, he also has special insight into the disability claims process. His experience was a drawn-out ordeal that took eight years from initial claim to completion, so he understands the consequences of filing a VA disability claim without adequate preparation or legal counsel. In fact, Mr. Rada eventually hired a fellow VA benefits lawyer to bring his appeal to a successful conclusion.
With this unique experience, Mr. Rada sympathizes with those who have to wait years and even decades for their claim to be approved – and strives to help expedite those claims to get disabled veterans the financial support they deserve.