VA Combined Disability Rating Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your combined VA disability rating based on individual ratings. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a specific "VA Math" system, not simple addition, to combine multiple disability percentages.
Understanding VA Disability Ratings and "VA Math"
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 disability rating." This method is often referred to as "VA Math" because it does not involve simply adding the percentages together.
Why Isn't It Simple Addition?
The VA's system is designed to reflect the "loss of earning capacity" due to disabilities. It assumes that each subsequent disability reduces the veteran's remaining efficiency, rather than adding to the total disability from a 100% baseline. In essence, a disability rating represents the percentage by which a veteran's overall efficiency has been reduced. When combining ratings, each new disability is applied to the *remaining* efficiency after accounting for previous disabilities.
How "VA Math" Works (The Combined Rating System)
The calculation process involves these steps:
- Order the Ratings: Although the final mathematical outcome is the same regardless of the order, the VA often explains the process by starting with the highest individual disability rating and then combining it with the next highest, and so on.
- Calculate Remaining Efficiency: For the first disability, determine the veteran's "remaining efficiency" (100% minus the disability rating).
- Combine Subsequent Ratings: For each additional disability, calculate its impact on the *remaining efficiency*. The formula is:
New Combined Rating = Old Combined Rating + (New Disability Rating × (100% - Old Combined Rating))
This means the new disability's percentage is applied to the portion of the veteran's efficiency that is *not yet* disabled. - Repeat: Continue this process for all individual disability ratings.
- Round to the Nearest 10%: The final combined rating is then rounded to the nearest 10 percent. For example, a rating of 64% would round down to 60%, while a rating of 65% would round up to 70%.
Example of VA Math Calculation:
Let's say a veteran has three service-connected disabilities with ratings of 50%, 30%, and 10%.
- Start with the highest rating: 50%.
The veteran is 50% disabled. Their remaining efficiency is 100% – 50% = 50%. - Combine with the next highest rating: 30%.
The 30% disability affects 30% of the *remaining* 50% efficiency.
Calculation: 0.30 × 50% = 15%.
New Combined Rating = 50% (from first disability) + 15% = 65%.
Now, the veteran's remaining efficiency is 100% – 65% = 35%. - Combine with the last rating: 10%.
The 10% disability affects 10% of the *remaining* 35% efficiency.
Calculation: 0.10 × 35% = 3.5%.
New Combined Rating = 65% (from previous combination) + 3.5% = 68.5%. - Round the final rating:
68.5% rounds up to 70%.
As you can see, simply adding the ratings (50 + 30 + 10 = 90%) would yield a much higher result than the VA's combined rating of 70%.
Important Disclaimer:
This calculator provides an estimate based on the VA's combined rating system. The official determination of your combined disability rating can only be made by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Factors such as bilateral factor (for disabilities affecting both sides of the body) and specific regulations for certain conditions are not included in this simplified calculator.