VA Disability Calculator: How to Estimate Your Combined Rating & Monthly Pay
If you've ever tried to add up your VA disability percentages and gotten a number that doesn't match your official rating, you're not alone. The VA uses a unique calculation method—often called "VA math"—that confuses nearly every veteran filing a claim. This guide explains exactly how to calculate your VA disability rating, what you'll receive in monthly compensation for 2026, and why your combined rating matters far beyond the monthly check.
Quick Tip: Once you know your combined rating, use the Veterans Benefits Finder to discover every federal and state benefit you qualify for—many veterans leave thousands of dollars in benefits on the table simply because they don't know what's available at their rating level.
How VA Disability Ratings Work
The VA assigns a disability rating from 0% to 100% (in increments of 10) for each service-connected condition. This rating reflects how much your condition impacts your ability to work and function in daily life.
Single vs. Multiple Ratings
If you have only one rated condition, your math is simple—your single rating is your combined rating. But most veterans have multiple conditions, and that's where things get complicated.
The key rule: The VA does not simply add your ratings together. A 50% rating plus a 30% rating does not equal 80%.
Understanding VA Math: How Combined Ratings Are Calculated
VA math works on the principle that each additional disability reduces a progressively smaller portion of your remaining "whole person" efficiency. Here's the step-by-step process:
The Combined Ratings Formula
- Start with your highest rating and subtract it from 100 to get your remaining efficiency
- Apply your next highest rating to the remaining efficiency
- Repeat for each additional condition
- Round to the nearest 10%
Example Calculation
Suppose you have three rated conditions: 50%, 30%, and 20%.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 100% whole person | 100% |
| Apply 50% | 100 × 0.50 = 50 → 100 - 50 = 50% remaining | 50% disabled |
| Apply 30% | 50 × 0.30 = 15 → 50 - 15 = 35% remaining | 65% disabled |
| Apply 20% | 35 × 0.20 = 7 → 35 - 7 = 28% remaining | 72% disabled |
| Round | 72% rounds to 70% | 70% combined |
If you simply added 50 + 30 + 20, you'd expect 100%. But VA math gives you 70%. That's a significant difference—and it's why understanding this calculation matters for your claim strategy.
The Bilateral Factor
There's one exception that works in your favor. The bilateral factor applies when you have disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired organs. The VA adds 10% of the combined bilateral rating before combining it with your other conditions. This small boost can sometimes push you into a higher rounded rating.
For example, if you have a 20% left knee and 10% right knee condition, the bilateral combination (28%) gets a 2.8% boost, making it 30.8% before combining with other ratings.
2026 VA Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation depends on your combined rating and number of dependents. Here are the 2026 rates for veterans with no dependents and with a spouse:
| Combined Rating | Veteran Alone | Veteran + Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.89 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $884.59 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,245.29 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,569.46 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,966.18 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,283.73 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,567.53 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 |
Note on Dependents: Additional compensation for dependents only kicks in at 30% or higher. At 10% and 20%, the rate is the same regardless of family size. If you're at 20% with dependents, increasing to 30% could mean a significant jump in monthly pay.
Why Every Percentage Point Matters
Look at the jump from 90% to 100%—it's over $1,500 more per month. That's because 100% isn't just a higher payment tier; it unlocks an entirely different level of benefits including:
- CHAMPVA healthcare for your spouse and dependents
- Chapter 35 DEA education benefits for dependents
- Property tax exemptions in most states (often 100% exemption)
- Commissary and exchange privileges
- Eligibility for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) considerations
Key Rating Thresholds That Unlock Benefits
Certain rating levels are critical milestones because they unlock specific benefits:
0% (Service-Connected)
Even a 0% rating with service connection grants access to VA healthcare and some state benefits. Don't overlook this.
30%+
Additional compensation for dependents begins. Many state-level benefits also start at 30%.
50%+
Some states begin property tax reductions. Additional VA vocational rehabilitation benefits may be available.
70%+
Most state benefit programs are fully accessible. Stronger case for TDIU if unemployable.
100% (Permanent & Total)
Maximum compensation, full dependent benefits, CHAMPVA, Chapter 35 education, and nearly every state benefit including full property tax exemption, free vehicle registration, and more.
Tips for Maximizing Your Combined Rating
Understanding VA math reveals several strategic insights for your claims:
1. File All Conditions
Even a 10% rating for a "minor" condition can bump your combined rating into the next bracket after rounding. Don't leave conditions unclaimed.
2. Consider Secondary Conditions
Many veterans overlook secondary service connections. For example, PTSD commonly causes sleep apnea, depression, and GERD. Each secondary condition adds to your combined rating.
3. Request Increases When Conditions Worsen
If a condition has gotten worse since your last rating, file for an increase. Moving a single condition from 30% to 50% can cascade through your combined calculation.
4. Understand the Rounding Rules
The VA rounds to the nearest 10%. A combined value of 65% rounds up to 70%, but 64% rounds down to 60%. When you're close to a threshold, one additional small rating can make all the difference.
Find Every Benefit at Your Rating Level
Your disability rating determines far more than your monthly compensation check. It unlocks a web of federal, state, and local benefits that most veterans never discover—property tax exemptions, education programs, vehicle benefits, employment preferences, and more.
The Veterans Benefits Finder analyzes your specific situation—your rating, location, service history, and family status—to show you every benefit you qualify for. Many veterans at 70% or higher are missing out on $10,000+ per year in state benefits alone.
Next Step: Complete your personalized benefits profile in under 5 minutes to see all federal and state benefits available at your current rating. It's free, takes no personal information like your SSN, and shows results instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my combined rating exceed 100%?
No. The maximum combined rating is 100%. However, if your conditions individually total well over 100% using simple math, you may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which provides additional payments above the 100% rate.
How often are VA compensation rates updated?
VA compensation rates receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) annually, typically effective December 1 of each year. The 2026 rates shown above reflect the latest adjustment.
Does a 0% rating mean I get nothing?
Not at all. A 0% service-connected rating still grants access to VA healthcare, and it establishes service connection—which is critical if the condition worsens later or if you want to claim secondary conditions.
What if I disagree with my rating?
You have several options: file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, request a Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Many veterans successfully increase their ratings on appeal, especially with additional medical evidence like nexus letters.
Related Articles
Can You Fail a C&P Exam? What Veterans Need to Know
Learn whether you can fail a C&P exam, what unfavorable outcomes actually mean, how 0% ratings work, and your options if the exam does not go well.
Agent Orange VA Claims: Presumptive Conditions and Exposure Locations in 2026
A complete guide to Agent Orange VA claims including all presumptive conditions, covered exposure locations (Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Blue Water Navy), and how to file.
Best States for Disabled Veterans in 2026: Top 10 Ranked by Benefits
Discover the best states for disabled veterans in 2026. Compare property tax exemptions, income tax benefits, vehicle perks, and more across all 50 states to maximize your benefits.
Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) Guide: Dockets, Hearings, and Strategy in 2026
The Board of Veterans Appeals is the highest level of review within the VA. Learn how to choose the right docket, prepare for a hearing, and what to expect from a Veterans Law Judge decision.