DAV Disability Rating Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your combined VA disability rating based on multiple individual ratings. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a specific "VA Math" method to combine ratings, which is not a simple sum. This tool helps you understand how your individual ratings might combine into a single overall percentage.
Understanding VA Disability Ratings and Combined Math
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to veterans who have service-connected conditions. These conditions are assigned individual ratings, typically in increments of 10%, from 0% to 100%. However, when a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA does not simply add these percentages together. Instead, they use a specific method known as "VA Math" or the "Combined Ratings Table" to determine a single, overall combined rating.
How VA Math Works
The VA's method for combining ratings is designed to reflect the "efficiency" of the veteran. It starts with the assumption that a veteran is 100% efficient. Each disability rating is then applied sequentially to the *remaining* efficiency. Here's a simplified breakdown:
- Order the Ratings: While the mathematical outcome is the same regardless of the order, the VA typically combines ratings by starting with the highest individual rating first, then the next highest, and so on.
- First Disability: The highest disability rating is applied to 100% efficiency. For example, if a veteran has a 50% disability, their efficiency is reduced by 50% of 100%, leaving them 50% efficient.
- Subsequent Disabilities: Each subsequent disability rating is applied to the *remaining* efficiency. If the veteran is 50% efficient and has another 30% disability, that 30% is applied to the 50% remaining efficiency (50% * 0.30 = 15%). So, their efficiency is further reduced by 15%, leaving them 35% efficient (50% – 15%).
- Calculate Combined Disability: Once all disabilities are applied, the final remaining efficiency is subtracted from 100% to get the raw combined disability percentage. In our example, 100% – 35% = 65%.
- Rounding: The raw combined disability percentage is then rounded to the nearest 10%. For instance, 65% would round up to 70%, while 64% would round down to 60%. This rounding rule is crucial as it directly impacts the compensation level.
Example of VA Math:
Let's say a veteran has three service-connected disabilities with ratings of 60%, 30%, and 10%.
- Start with 100% efficiency.
- Apply 60% disability: 100% – (100% * 0.60) = 40% remaining efficiency.
- Apply 30% disability to the remaining 40%: 40% – (40% * 0.30) = 40% – 12% = 28% remaining efficiency.
- Apply 10% disability to the remaining 28%: 28% – (28% * 0.10) = 28% – 2.8% = 25.2% remaining efficiency.
- Combined disability: 100% – 25.2% = 74.8%.
- Rounded to the nearest 10%: 74.8% rounds to 70%.
As you can see, simply adding the ratings (60+30+10 = 100%) would give a very different and incorrect result compared to the VA's method.
Why Use This Calculator?
This calculator provides a quick and easy way to understand how your individual VA disability ratings combine. It can be a valuable tool for veterans who are applying for benefits, considering appeals, or simply want to understand their potential combined rating without manually performing the complex VA Math. Remember, this calculator provides an estimate and should not be considered an official VA decision.