5 things to know in veterans news: 2027 disability pay rate increase, new epilepsy treatment, a cookbook from a 90-year-old veteran

The VA disability compensation rate increase is expected to be 3.7% or 3.8%, a 90-year-old veteran has a new cookbook and a new VA epilepsy treatment. Robert Lindemann, a 33-year Army veteran, was the first patient at the Department of Veterans Affairs to undergo a minimally invasive ablation procedure to treat his epilepsy. Conventional treatments involve open brain surgery. (Department of Veterans Affairs) WASHINGTON — The annual VA disability compensation rate change for 2027 — which is based on a cost-of-living adjustment — is expected to be higher than the 2.8% increase in 2026 due to continued inflation. The increase is expected to be 3.7% or 3.8% based on the latest cost-of-living adjustment estimate, according to the VA Disability Group, which represents veterans with their claims and benefits.

Federal law requires the VA to increase disability compensation by the exact same percentage that the Social Security Administration announces for its benefits. The disability compensation rate increase for 2027 is expected to be announced in mid-October. The rate change takes effect annually on Dec. 1. The higher benefit will be deposited in veterans’ accounts on Dec. 31, instead of Jan. 1, which is a federal holiday. Ed T. Solomon, a Korean War veteran, is promoting his book “Cooking at 90: When You Hate the Kitchen,” available on Amazon. All proceeds will