VA Combined Rating Calculator

What Is a VA Combined Disability Rating?

A VA combined rating is the total disability percentage assigned when a veteran has more than one service-connected condition.

It is issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Many veterans assume the VA simply adds ratings together. That is not correct.

For example:

• 50% + 30% does NOT equal 80%
• The VA uses a “whole person” method

The VA assumes you start as 100% healthy. Each disability reduces the remaining healthy portion, not the original 100%.

This is why a VA combined rating calculator is important. It applies the formula correctly and rounds the final result to the nearest 10%.

How VA Math Works (The Whole Person Theory)

The VA calculates ratings in order from highest to lowest.

Let’s walk through a simple example.

Example:

You have:

• 50% PTSD
• 30% back condition

Step 1: Start with the highest rating (50%)

You are now considered 50% disabled and 50% healthy.

Step 2: Apply the next rating (30%) to the remaining healthy portion.

30% of 50% = 15%

Add that 15% to the original 50%.

50% + 15% = 65%

Step 3: Round to the nearest 10%.

65% rounds up to 70%.

Final combined rating: 70%

That rounding step is very important. The VA always rounds to the nearest 10%.

How the VA Combined Rating Calculator Works

The calculator you provided allows you to:

• Enter up to 5 disability ratings
• Mark conditions as bilateral
• Add dependents
• Indicate if your spouse has a disability
• Add Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
• Calculate monthly and annual compensation
• Check eligibility status

It follows these main steps:

1. Sorts disabilities from highest to lowest
2. Combines bilateral conditions
3. Applies VA math formula
4. Rounds to nearest 10%
5. Calculates base monthly compensation
6. Adjusts for dependents and spouse
7. Adds SMC if selected
8. Displays total monthly and annual pay

Let’s break down each part.

Bilateral Factor Explained

The bilateral factor applies when disabilities affect:

• Both arms
• Both legs
• Paired skeletal muscles

When this happens, the VA adds an extra 10% of the combined bilateral value before merging it with other conditions.

In your calculator:

• Bilateral conditions are combined first
• That total is increased by 10%
• Then it is added back into the full calculation

Example:

If you have:

• 20% left knee
• 20% right knee

First, combine them:
20 + 20 = 40

Add 10% bilateral bonus:
40 × 1.1 = 44

That 44% then enters the full VA math process.

This often increases the final rating more than veterans expect.

VA Disability Compensation Rates (2023)

After calculating the combined rating, the calculator applies base compensation rates.

For example:

• 10% = $171.16
• 50% = $1,075.16
• 100% = $3,621.95

These rates are based on 2023 compensation tables.

The calculator then adjusts the base amount using:

• Dependent multiplier
• Spouse disability multiplier
• Special Monthly Compensation

How Dependents Affect VA Compensation

Veterans with dependents receive higher compensation at 30% or higher ratings.

The calculator includes options for:

• No dependents
• 1 dependent
• 2 dependents
• 3 dependents
• 4+ dependents

Each option increases the base monthly rate using a multiplier.

This ensures a more realistic estimate.

Spouse With a Disability

If your spouse has a qualifying disability, additional compensation may apply.

In the calculator:

• Selecting “Yes” increases the compensation
• It reflects an additional monthly benefit (around $150/month in the sample logic)

This is added after calculating the base disability pay.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

Special Monthly Compensation is extra compensation for severe disabilities such as:

• Loss of use of limbs
• Blindness
• Housebound status
• Need for aid and attendance

The calculator includes SMC levels from A through R2.

SMC is added on top of regular compensation.

For example:

If your monthly base pay is $1,500
And you qualify for SMC-K ($1,100 in this calculator)

Your total monthly compensation becomes:

$1,500 + $1,100 = $2,600

This makes a significant difference.

Eligibility Status

The calculator also checks eligibility.

• 0% = Not eligible for compensation
• 10% or higher = Eligible for compensation

Even a 10% rating qualifies for monthly payment.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the VA Combined Rating Calculator

1. Enter your first disability percentage
2. Select whether it is bilateral
3. Repeat for up to five disabilities
4. Select number of dependents
5. Indicate if your spouse has a disability
6. Select any applicable SMC level
7. Click “Calculate”
8. Review results

You will see:

• Combined Disability Rating
• Monthly Compensation
• Annual Compensation
• SMC Amount
• Total Monthly Compensation
• Eligibility Status

If needed, click “Reset” to clear the form.

Why Veterans Use a VA Combined Rating Calculator

Many veterans want to:

• Estimate future compensation
• Check if VA math was applied correctly
• Plan financial decisions
• Evaluate claim increases
• Understand bilateral impact

Because VA math is not intuitive, a calculator removes guesswork.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only.

Actual compensation may vary due to:

• Updated VA rates
• Legislative changes
• Individual case details
• Additional benefits not included

Always confirm official numbers directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a VA-accredited representative.