VA Combined Disability Rating Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your combined VA disability rating based on multiple individual disability percentages. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a specific "whole person" methodology to combine ratings, which is not a simple addition. This calculator applies that methodology and rounds the final result to the nearest 10%, as per VA regulations.
Understanding VA Combined Disability Ratings
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 does not simply add the individual percentages together. Instead, they use a specific method called the "whole person" theory to arrive at a combined disability rating.
The "Whole Person" Theory Explained
The VA's approach is based on the idea that a person's overall efficiency is 100%. When a disability is incurred, it reduces that efficiency. Subsequent disabilities are then rated against the *remaining* efficiency, not against the original 100%. This means that as more disabilities are added, their individual impact on the combined rating becomes progressively smaller.
Here's a simplified breakdown of how it works:
- Order the Disabilities: The VA typically starts with the highest individual disability rating.
- Calculate First Disability: The highest disability rating is taken directly. For example, if a veteran has a 60% disability, their efficiency is reduced by 60%, leaving 40% efficiency.
- Calculate Subsequent Disabilities: The next highest disability is then applied to the *remaining* efficiency. If the veteran also has a 30% disability, this 30% is applied to the remaining 40% efficiency (30% of 40% = 12%). This 12% is then added to the first disability's rating (60% + 12% = 72%). The new remaining efficiency is 100% – 72% = 28%.
- Continue the Process: This process continues for all service-connected disabilities, always applying the next highest disability to the current remaining efficiency.
Rounding to the Nearest 10%
Once the VA calculates the raw combined disability percentage, it is then rounded to the nearest 10%. This is a crucial step, as it can significantly impact the final compensation level. For example:
- A calculated combined rating of 64% would be rounded down to 60%.
- A calculated combined rating of 65% would be rounded up to 70%.
- A calculated combined rating of 72% would be rounded down to 70%.
- A calculated combined rating of 75% would be rounded up to 80%.
This rounding rule means that even a small difference in the raw combined percentage can lead to a different final rating and, consequently, a different monthly compensation amount.
Why Use This Calculator?
Understanding your potential combined VA disability rating can be complex due to this unique calculation method. This calculator simplifies the process by applying the VA's "whole person" theory and rounding rules, giving you a clear estimate of your combined rating. While this tool provides a helpful estimate, it's important to remember that the official rating is determined solely by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Example Calculation
Let's consider a veteran with three service-connected disabilities:
- Disability A: 60%
- Disability B: 30%
- Disability C: 20%
Here's how the VA would combine them:
- Start with the highest: Disability A (60%). Remaining efficiency: 100% – 60% = 40%.
- Add the next highest: Disability B (30%). 30% of the remaining 40% = 12%. Combined rating so far: 60% + 12% = 72%. Remaining efficiency: 100% – 72% = 28%.
- Add the last disability: Disability C (20%). 20% of the remaining 28% = 5.6%. Combined rating so far: 72% + 5.6% = 77.6%.
- Round to the nearest 10%: 77.6% rounds up to 80%.
In this example, the veteran's combined VA disability rating would be 80%.