2021 VA Disability Calculator

VA Math & Calculator

The amount of compensation a veteran is entitled to monthly depends on the veterans combined rating. If you only have a rating for one condition then your combined rating is the same as that single condition. However, if you have more than one condition, many veterans think they simply have to add up all of their ratings. (For example: 20% + 40% = 60% combined) However, nothing about the VA is simple. Instead, we must use VA math to determine a veterans combined rating. VA math can be confusing, so Bosley & Bratch has created a calculator to simplify the process. This calculator not only informs you of your combined rating, but also your estimated compensation per month based on additional factors like your marital status and number of dependents. Considering these additional factors is so important, forgetting one of these factors can cut your expected monthly compensation in half!

What is the Calculator doing for me: How to calculate by hand?

Instead of adding together the whole numbers of your ratings, the VA combines each rating by taking a percentage of the percentage using a combined ratings table. Each condition which you have a rating for is considered a percentage that effects your body’s overall efficiency level. For example if you’re rated 30% disabled that means you have a total body efficiency rating of 70%. Therefore each time you add another condition, you’re reducing your overall efficiency percentage and adding the rating percentage of your overall efficiency percentage, adding to your combined disability rating by a percentage not the whole number.

• For example, if we added a 20% rating to a now 70% overall efficiency then we’d have to ask what is 20% of 70% (=14),
• Then add 14% to your 30% disability equaling 44%.
• The VA rounds all percentages to the nearest tenth; meaning, the combined ratings of 30% & 20% rounds down to 40% combined disability.

Where do I start? If you want to calculate your own combined rating, you need to know that order is important.  First ask yourself if you have bilateral conditions; meaning, either both arms or both legs are affected by rated conditions [they do not need to be the same condition].

• If yes, combine the bilateral factor conditions first then add 10% disability to take into account additional limitation into your VA math calculation [not as a whole number at the end].
• If you do not, start with the largest rating and subtract from 100% [your overall efficiency percentage], then work down your ratings combining using the calculation explained above.

What to do next? If you don’t yet have a disability rating, Bosley & Bratch can help you.  Bosley & Bratch has been working with veterans to build a strategy to get the rating they deserve since 1995.  Additionally, if you have a rating but don’t believe it accurately reflects your disability, Bosley & Bratch can assist you through the appeals process.  The VA unfortunately often errors, let Bosley & Bratch help you get the rating you deserve.