Calculate your potential VA disability compensation based on multiple service-connected conditions.
Estimated Monthly Compensation
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Understanding VA Disability Compensation for Multiple Conditions
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a specific formula to determine disability compensation for veterans with multiple service-connected conditions. Unlike simply adding individual ratings, the VA uses a combined rating table and a method that accounts for the impact of each condition on the veteran's earning capacity. The goal is to reflect the overall degree of disability.
How the VA Combines Disability Ratings:
The VA's combined disability rating is calculated using the principle of "degrees of impairment" and a rating table. Here's the general process:
Start with the Highest Rating: The veteran's highest individual disability rating is taken first.
Combine with the Next Highest: The next highest rating is then "combined" with the existing rating. This combination is not a simple addition. Instead, the VA uses a specific formula that determines the remaining "non-impaired" percentage and applies the next rating to that.
Repeat for All Conditions: This process is repeated for each subsequent disability rating, always combining the current combined rating with the next highest individual rating.
Rounding: The final combined rating is rounded to the nearest whole percent.
For example, if a veteran has a 60% rating for one condition and a 30% rating for another, the calculation is not 60 + 30 = 90%. Instead:
Start with 60%. The remaining non-impaired percentage is 100% – 60% = 40%.
Apply the next rating (30%) to the non-impaired portion: 30% of 40% = 12%.
Add this to the initial rating: 60% + 12% = 72%.
Round to the nearest whole percent: 72% remains 72%. The combined rating is 72%.
If there were a third condition rated at 10%:
Start with the current combined rating of 72%. The remaining non-impaired percentage is 100% – 72% = 28%.
Apply the next rating (10%) to the non-impaired portion: 10% of 28% = 2.8%.
Add this to the current combined rating: 72% + 2.8% = 74.8%.
Round to the nearest whole percent: 74.8% rounds up to 75%. The combined rating is 75%.
Important Considerations:
The Calculator's Purpose: This calculator provides an ESTIMATE based on the VA's standard combined rating methodology. It does NOT provide an exact benefit amount, as that depends on various factors including the veteran's dependency status (spouse, children) and the specific VA compensation rates for the given year, which are subject to change.
Individual Unemployability (IU): Veterans whose service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment may be eligible for 100% compensation, even if their combined rating is lower.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) / Housebound Benefits: Additional benefits may be available for veterans who require assistance with daily living or are permanently housebound.
Consult the VA: For definitive information and to understand your specific benefit amount, always consult directly with the VA or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO).
function calculateVADisability() {
var condition1_rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("condition1_rating").value);
var condition2_rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("condition2_rating").value);
var condition3_rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("condition3_rating").value);
var condition4_rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("condition4_rating").value);
var condition5_rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("condition5_rating").value);
var ratings = [];
if (!isNaN(condition1_rating) && condition1_rating > 0) ratings.push(condition1_rating);
if (!isNaN(condition2_rating) && condition2_rating > 0) ratings.push(condition2_rating);
if (!isNaN(condition3_rating) && condition3_rating > 0) ratings.push(condition3_rating);
if (!isNaN(condition4_rating) && condition4_rating > 0) ratings.push(condition4_rating);
if (!isNaN(condition5_rating) && condition5_rating > 0) ratings.push(condition5_rating);
if (ratings.length === 0) {
document.getElementById("result-value").textContent = "–";
return;
}
// Sort ratings in descending order
ratings.sort(function(a, b) {
return b – a;
});
var combinedRating = ratings[0]; // Start with the highest rating
for (var i = 1; i < ratings.length; i++) {
var currentRating = ratings[i];
var nonImpairedPercentage = 100 – combinedRating;
var additionalImpairment = (currentRating / 100) * nonImpairedPercentage;
combinedRating = combinedRating + additionalImpairment;
}
// Round to the nearest whole percent
combinedRating = Math.round(combinedRating);
// Display the result
document.getElementById("result-value").textContent = combinedRating + "%";
}