How Va Calculates Compensation Rates

VA Disability Rating "VA Math" Calculator

Enter your individual disability ratings below (0-100%). Check the "Bilateral" box if the condition affects both left and right sides (e.g., both knees).

Your Calculation Results:

Actual Combined Rating: 0%

Combined Rating (Rounded): 0%

*Bilateral factor of 10% was applied to your qualifying conditions.

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How the VA Calculates Disability Compensation Rates

Understanding "VA Math" is essential for any Veteran seeking disability compensation. Unlike standard addition where 30% + 30% equals 60%, the VA uses a descending efficiency scale. This system assumes that a veteran is 100% "efficient" or healthy. Each disability takes a percentage of the remaining efficiency.

The "Whole Person" Concept

The VA views a Veteran as a "whole person." If you have a 30% disability, you are considered 70% non-disabled. If you have a second 10% disability, the VA does not take 10% from the original 100%; they take 10% of the remaining 70%. That equals 7%, which is added to the original 30%, resulting in a 37% total disability rating.

How the VA Rounds Your Rating

The VA rounds the final combined rating to the nearest 10%. This rounding determines your monthly compensation pay rate. For example:

• A combined actual rating of 44% rounds down to 40%.
• A combined actual rating of 45% rounds up to 50%.
• A combined actual rating of 94% rounds down to 90%.

The Bilateral Factor Explained

The bilateral factor applies when a Veteran has disabilities affecting both sides of the body (e.g., left and right arms, or left and right legs). When this occurs, the VA combines the ratings for the bilateral conditions first, then adds 10% of that value as a "bonus" before combining it with other non-bilateral ratings. This often helps push a Veteran into a higher rounding bracket.

Example Calculation

Let's look at a Veteran with three disabilities: 50%, 20%, and 10%.

1. Start with 100% efficiency. Subtract 50% = 50% efficiency remaining. Disability total = 50%.
2. Take 20% of the remaining 50% = 10%. Add this to the total. Disability total = 60%. Efficiency remaining = 40%.
3. Take 10% of the remaining 40% = 4%. Add this to the total. Disability total = 64%.
4. Rounding: 64% rounds down to a final pay rate of 60%.