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In August, the CPI-W increased 2.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 317.306 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The index for shelter rose 0.4 percent in August and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index increased 0.5 percent over the month as the food at home index rose 0.6 percent and the food away from home index increased 0.3 percent. The index for energy rose 0.7 percent in August as the index for gasoline increased 1.9 percent over the month.
 Charts related to the latest "Consumer Price Index" news release.
 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) VA Compensation Calculator
Learn more about VA disability ratings with the VA Compensation Calculator online at dav.org/disability-calculator. Please note that this calculator is to be used as an estimated evaluation and for informational purposes only. Many factors are considered with VA calculations, ratings, and monetary amounts.
 Contact an accredited Service Officer for additional questions or assistance with VA Benefits.
Can I get increased payments if I have a severe disability or dependents?
Yes. We may increase your monthly payments if one or more of the below is true:
- You have a very severe disability or loss of limb, or
- You have a spouse, child, or dependent parent and your combined disability rating is 30% or greater, or
- You have a spouse with a serious disability
Is there anything else that might affect my compensation amount?
Yes. Your compensation may end up being less than it otherwise would be if either of the below is true:
- You receive military retirement pay, disability severance pay, or separation pay, or
- You're incarcerated in a federal, state, or local facility for more than 60 days for conviction of a felony
Does VA give cost-of-living increases for disability compensation payments?
Yes. We’re required by law to match the percentage of COLAs made to Social Security benefits. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of your benefits keeps up with inflation. Get the latest COLA information on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website.
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Financial Readiness
As a member of the FDIC Money Smart Alliance, NW MIRECC helps promote financial capability to strengthen the financial education efforts of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. First released in 2001 and regularly updated since then, FDIC Money Smart has a long track record of success in reducing stress and improving financial readiness of Veterans. NW MIRECC started with the FDIC Money Smart program through the 'Helping Veterans #GetBanked and Manage Their Money' training program. The training program provided resources to Veterans Service Organizations, VA special Outreach Program Coordinators, and others who provide direct services to U.S. Veterans and have a direct interest in increasing Veterans’ financial capability.
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) COLA Watch
MOAA publishes monthly updates and inflation figures (COLA Watch) used to set COLA for payments received by military retirees, disabled Veterans, Social Security beneficiaries, and many others receiving federal compensation. COLA affects certain VA benefits, including, but not limited to: disability compensation, clothing allowance, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for spouses and children. These adjustments help to make sure that the purchasing power of Veterans benefits keeps up with inflation.
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VA's NW MIRECC serves to improve the mental health and well-being of Veterans through research and dissemination of information to providers both within VA and the general public. VHA continually evolves and cultivates ongoing cutting-edge medical research and innovation to improve the lives of America’s patriots. VA's Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 20 serves Alaska, Washington, Oregon, most of Idaho, and one county each in Montana and California. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. Spanning 23% of US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. NW MIRECC brings together complementary research, education, and clinical programs from VA Puget Sound (VAPSHCS) and the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The collaborative approach to mental health research, education and treatment has had a profound impact on the lives of Veterans.
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VAPSHCS and VAPORHCS were commissioned by Congress and the VA as one of the first three MIRECCs in the United States. The mission of NW MIRECC is to improve the quality of life and function of Veterans by developing, evaluating, and promoting the implementation of effective treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its complex comorbidities. PTSD comorbidities include the behavioral consequences of repetitive blast mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), chronic pain (in particular, post-concussive headaches), cognitive impairment, and increased risk for neurodegenerative disorders (chronic traumatic encephalopathy [CTE] and Alzheimer’s disease [AD]). VA MIRECC's provide for the improvement of the provision of health-care services and related counseling services to eligible veterans suffering from mental illness (especially mental illness related to service-related conditions) through—
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- the conduct of research (including research on improving mental health service facilities of the Department and on improving the delivery of mental health services by the Department);
- the education and training of health care personnel of the Department; and
- the development of improved models and systems for the furnishing of mental health services by the Department.
As part of the VISN 20 NW MIRECC mission to enhance access to mental health expertise, the NW MIRECC collaborates and consults with other MIRECCs and Centers of Excellence, as well as with other VA, Department of Defense (DoD), Federal, State departments of Veterans Affairs, community agencies, and experts. The close geographic proximity (40 miles) of DoD Joint Base Lewis-McChord/Madigan Army Medical Center to VAPSHCS has provided an exciting opportunity to develop innovative and productive research, education, and clinical care collaborations with DoD personnel that address PTSD and its associated conditions in their early stages in active-duty Servicemembers.
VA ranks as one of the nation's leaders in health research. Every year, thousands of research studies are conducted at VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. For example, the VA has:
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- Developed artificial limbs that allow amputees to have more independence and better quality of life
- Invented the cardiac pacemaker
- Performed the first successful liver transplantation
- Developed the nicotine patch to help people stop smoking
- Played a major role in the development of the CT/CAT scan to view the inside of the body
- Tested new drugs and treatments for diseases such as AIDS, Diabetes, Alzheimer's and Osteoporosis
NW MIRECC research studies significantly contribute to advancements in our understanding of medical problems that lead to health improvements for Veterans and civilians alike. Research studies at NW MIRECC are currently enrolling Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians in Seattle, Washington.
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