VA Disability Combined Rating Calculator
VA disability ratings are not simply added together. This calculator uses the official “whole person” formula (38 CFR § 4.25), applies the bilateral factor automatically, and shows you every step of the math — so you understand exactly how your combined rating was calculated.
Your Disability Ratings
Add a disability
Dependents (affects compensation at 30%+)
Spouse
Children under 18
Children 18–23 in school
Attending an approved school program
Dependent parents
Add at least one disability rating above to see your combined rating.
How VA math works
The VA uses a “whole person” theory: you start at 100% healthy, and each disability reduces your remaining capacity. A 50% disability leaves you at 50% healthy. A subsequent 30% disability then reduces that remaining 50% — not the original 100%.
This is why 50% + 30% does not equal 80%. After applying 50%, you have 50% remaining. Applying 30% to that 50% leaves 35% (50 × 0.70 = 35). Combined value: 100 − 35 = 65%, which rounds to 70%.
The VA's position is that you cannot be more than 100% disabled — so each additional condition has diminishing impact the higher your existing combined rating. The final combined value is rounded once to the nearest 10%.
The bilateral factor explained
Under 38 CFR § 4.26, if you have compensable disabilities affecting both sides of a paired body part — both knees, both arms, both legs, both eyes — you receive a 10% bonus on the combined value of those bilateral disabilities.
Example: Left knee 20% + Right knee 10%. Using VA math, these combine to 28%. The bilateral factor adds 10% of 28 (= 2.8), giving 30.8%. That 30.8 is then combined with your other disabilities as if it were a single rating.
The bilateral factor only applies when both sides have a compensable (greater than 0%) rating. A 0% rating on one side does not trigger it. Make sure you have filed separate claims for both sides of any bilateral condition.
Key rating thresholds
Service-connected, no compensation — but counts toward combined rating and establishes healthcare eligibility for that condition
Flat compensation rate — no dependent additions at these levels
Dependent compensation kicks in (spouse, children, parents)
Enhanced VA healthcare, dental care, and additional benefits
May qualify for TDIU (see below) if unable to work
Maximum schedular rating — highest compensation tier, P&T status if permanent
Common VA math mistakes
✗ Adding ratings together
Ratings are never added. Each is applied to the remaining healthy percentage.
✗ Rounding between steps
Round only once — at the very end, after all ratings have been applied.
✗ Forgetting the bilateral factor
If you have rated disabilities on both sides of a paired body part, the bilateral factor can push you to the next threshold.
✗ Filing only one side of a bilateral condition
File separate claims for both sides. Even a low rating on the second side can trigger the bilateral factor.
TDIU — Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
TDIU allows veterans to receive compensation at the 100% rate even if their combined schedular rating is below 100%, if the disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
General eligibility: Combined rating of at least 70% with one disability rated at least 40%, OR a single disability rated at least 60%. The VA may also grant TDIU on an extraschedular basis in exceptional cases.
TDIU requires a separate VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability). Work with an accredited VSO to file.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
SMC provides additional compensation above the 100% rate for veterans with specific severe disabilities: loss of use of limbs, blindness, need for regular aid and attendance, housebound status, and others.
SMC calculations are complex and depend heavily on your specific conditions and combination of ratings. This calculator does not compute SMC — if you believe you may qualify, contact an accredited VSO or the VA directly.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates based on the official VA combined rating formula (38 CFR § 4.25–4.26) and 2026 VA compensation rates (effective December 1, 2025, 2.8% COLA). Actual ratings are determined by the VA based on medical evidence, C&P exam findings, and adjudicator review. This tool is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Verify all figures with your regional VA office or an accredited VSO or attorney.
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