Va Disability Rate Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your combined VA disability rating based on individual service-connected conditions.

Understanding the VA Disability Rating System

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to veterans who have illnesses or injuries that were incurred or aggravated during active military service. These conditions are known as service-connected disabilities.

How the VA Rates Disabilities

The VA uses a rating schedule to assign a percentage rating to each service-connected disability. These ratings range from 0% to 100% in increments of 10% (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.). The rating reflects the average impairment in earning capacity caused by the disability.

Calculating a Combined Disability Rating

When a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA does not simply add the individual ratings together. Instead, they use a specific formula to calculate a "combined" disability rating. This formula ensures that the combined rating reflects the total impact on earning capacity and prevents over-compensation.

The VA's combined rating table is used, which is based on a system that applies subsequent ratings to the remaining earning capacity after the prior rating has been applied. The formula essentially works like this:

1. Identify the highest individual disability rating.
2. Determine the remaining earning capacity for that rating (100% – highest rating).
3. Take the second-highest rating and apply it to the remaining earning capacity.
4. Subtract this result from 100% to find the new combined earning capacity percentage.
5. Repeat this process for each subsequent disability rating.
6. Round the final result down to the nearest 10%.

This calculator simplifies that process. For example, if a veteran has a 50% rating for condition A and a 30% rating for condition B:

• Highest rating is 50%. Remaining earning capacity is 100% – 50% = 50%.
• Apply the 30% rating to the remaining 50%: 50% * 30% = 15%.
• The new combined earning capacity is 100% – 15% = 85%.
• This would be rounded down to 80% for the final combined rating.

If there are more than two conditions, this process is repeated sequentially with the remaining conditions applied to the progressively reduced earning capacity. This calculator can handle up to five conditions.

Important Note:

This calculator is for informational purposes only and provides an estimation. The official combined disability rating is determined by the VA. Always refer to official VA correspondence for your accurate disability rating and associated benefits.