VA Disability Calculator

How VA Disability Ratings Work

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns disability ratings in increments of 10% (0, 10, 20, 30 ... up to 100%) based on the severity of service-connected conditions. Each rating corresponds to a monthly compensation amount that increases with the rating percentage and the number of dependents. A single veteran with a 30% rating receives roughly $508/month, while a 100% rating provides approximately $3,737/month (2024 rates). This calculator estimates your combined rating when you have multiple service-connected disabilities.

VA Combined Rating Math

The VA does not simply add ratings together. Instead, it uses a "whole person" method. If you have a 50% rating and a 30% rating, the VA takes 50% of your whole body first, leaving you 50% healthy. Then 30% of the remaining 50% equals 15%. Your combined rating is 50 + 15 = 65%, which the VA rounds to the nearest 10, giving you a 70% combined rating. This system means each additional condition adds a smaller percentage because it is applied to the remaining healthy portion, not the original 100%.

Bilateral Factor

If you have disabilities affecting both sides of your body (for example, knee injuries in both legs), the VA adds a bilateral factor of 10% to the combined value of those paired conditions before merging them with your other ratings. This acknowledges that bilateral impairments affect daily function more severely than a single-sided condition of the same severity. Enter your conditions in the calculator above and check the bilateral option where applicable.

Rating Thresholds That Matter

Certain rating levels unlock additional benefits beyond monthly compensation. At 30%+, you receive additional compensation for dependents. At 50%+, you may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits. At 100% (or Total Disability Individual Unemployability – TDIU), you receive the maximum compensation rate plus eligibility for additional programs including CHAMPVA healthcare for dependents and property tax exemptions in many states. Understanding these thresholds can be important when deciding whether to pursue a rating increase.

Frequently asked questions