Combined Va Rating Calculator

Combined VA Rating Calculator

Use this calculator to determine your combined VA disability rating when you have multiple service-connected conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a specific method to combine ratings, which is not simple addition. This calculator helps you understand that process.

Understanding Your Combined VA Disability Rating

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to veterans who have service-connected conditions. When a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a specific method to combine these individual ratings into a single "combined rating." This method is often misunderstood because it is not a simple addition of percentages.

Why Isn't It Simple Addition? The "Whole Person" Theory

The VA's system is based on the "whole person" theory, which assumes that a person's overall disability cannot exceed 100%. If you have a 50% disability and another 30% disability, the VA doesn't simply add them to get 80%. Instead, they calculate the impact of the second disability on the *remaining* earning capacity after accounting for the first disability.

For example, if you have a 50% disability, you are considered 50% disabled. If you then have a 30% disability, the VA calculates 30% of your *remaining* 50% capacity (100% – 50% = 50%). So, 30% of 50% is 15%. This 15% is then added to your initial 50%, resulting in a 65% combined rating. This 65% is then rounded to the nearest 10%, which would be 70%.

How the VA Combines Ratings Step-by-Step:

1. Order Ratings: The VA first lists all individual disability ratings from highest to lowest.
2. Combine Highest Two: The highest rating is taken first. The second highest rating is then applied to the "efficiency" (the remaining capacity) of the veteran after the first disability. The formula used is: Combined = A + B(1 - A/100), where A is the higher rating and B is the lower rating.
3. Iterative Combination: This newly calculated combined rating then becomes the "A" for the next highest individual rating, and the process repeats until all ratings have been combined.
4. Final Rounding: The final combined rating is then rounded to the nearest 10%. For example, 65% rounds up to 70%, while 64% rounds down to 60%.

Example Calculation:

Let's say a veteran has three service-connected disabilities with ratings of 50%, 30%, and 10%.

1. Order: 50%, 30%, 10%
2. Combine 50% and 30%:
   • Start with 50%.
   • Calculate 30% of the remaining 50% (100% – 50% = 50%).
   • 30% of 50% = 15%.
   • Intermediate combined rating: 50% + 15% = 65%.
3. Combine 65% (intermediate) and 10%:
   • Start with 65%.
   • Calculate 10% of the remaining 35% (100% – 65% = 35%).
   • 10% of 35% = 3.5%.
   • New intermediate combined rating: 65% + 3.5% = 68.5%.
4. Final Rounding: 68.5% rounds up to 70%.

As you can see, the combined rating of 70% is significantly different from a simple addition of 50% + 30% + 10% = 90%.

Importance of Your Combined Rating

Your combined VA disability rating directly impacts the amount of monthly compensation you receive. It can also affect eligibility for other VA benefits, such as healthcare, educational assistance, and home loan guarantees. Understanding how your ratings are combined is crucial for ensuring you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

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