How to Calculate Your VA Disablity Rating

Trying to figure out how VA disability is calculated can feel like solving a puzzle. You might have three 50% ratings but aren’t getting 150%. Or maybe you’re stuck at 90% and can’t understand what it’ll take to reach 100%. You’re not alone – VA’s rating system confuses almost everyone at first.

Don’t worry though. We’re going to break down exactly how VA calculates disability ratings in plain English, no complicated math required.

How VA Disability Ratings Are Really Calculated

The VA doesn’t just add your disability ratings together. Instead, they use a special system called the “whole person” approach to calculate your combined rating.

Let’s explain how VA calculates disability ratings using an everyday example:

Imagine you start with a whole pizza (representing a healthy person at 100%). Your first disability takes a slice of that pizza. Your next disability can only take a piece of what’s left. This is how VA calculates your total disability rating.

Here’s a real example of how VA disability is calculated:

• Your first 50% rating takes half the pizza
• You now have 50% of the pizza left
• Your second 50% rating takes half of what’s left (25%)
• VA adds these together (50% + 25% = 75%) and rounds up to 80%

Try our free VA disability calculator to see exactly how your ratings combine.

Understanding How VA Rounds Your Numbers

When calculating your final VA disability rating, VA always rounds to the nearest 10%. Here’s how the rounding works:

• 5% or higher rounds up (85% becomes 90%)
• Less than 5% rounds down (84% becomes 80%)

This means two veterans might both be rated at 90%, even though one is really 86% and another is 94%. That difference matters a lot when you’re trying to get to 100%!

Tools to Help Calculate Your VA Disability Rating

We’ve made it easy to calculate your VA disability rating with our free online calculator. Just enter your ratings from highest to lowest, and our tool will:

• Calculate your exact combined rating
• Show your monthly payment amount
• Account for dependent benefits
• Factor in bilateral conditions (injuries affecting both arms or both legs)

What If Your VA Disability Calculation Seems Wrong?

Think VA might have calculated your disability rating incorrectly? Here’s what to do:

• Get your code sheet from VA (call them or check VA.gov)
• Write down all your service-connected conditions and their ratings
• Use our disability calculator to check the math
• Contact us for a free review if something seems off

Remember: Getting from 90% to 100% can be tricky. Sometimes, adding a 10% rating might not change your overall rating at all. Other times, it might be exactly what you need to reach 100%.

Get Help With Your VA Disability Calculation

Understanding how VA disability is calculated shouldn’t keep you from getting the benefits you deserve. If you’re confused about your ratings or think VA made a mistake in calculating your disability percentage, reach out to us. We’ll review your case for free and let you know if we can help.

You served our country with honor – you shouldn’t have to fight VA’s complicated math alone. Contact ProVet Legal today for a free consultation with our experienced VA disability attorneys.

Remember: If we don’t win your case, you don’t pay anything. Let us help you get the benefits you deserve.