How Is Your VA Disability Calculated?
The VA Disability Calculator helps estimate your combined disability rating and associated compensations. If you have only one service-connected condition, your disability rating and combined rating are usually the same. But if you have multiple disabilities, things get more complicated.
How Does VA Math Work?
The VA math doesn’t simply add your percentages together. Instead, it uses a formula called the “whole person” method. The VA starts by assuming you are 100% healthy. Then, each disability is applied in order of severity as a percentage of your “remaining healthy” percentage.
For example:
Let’s say you have the following three service-connected conditions:
- 50% for PTSD
- 30% for sleep apnea
- 20% for a back problem
Here’s how the VA would calculate this combined rating:
Start at 100% healthy.
Apply the highest rating first (50% for PTSD). This means you’re 50% disabled and 50% “healthy”
Multiply the second-highest disability rating (30% for sleep apnea) by the remaining 50%, which comes to 15%.
Add that 15% to the original 50% disability rating. This means you’re 65% and 35% “healthy”
Multiply the final and smallest disability rating (20% for back problem) by the remaining 35%, which comes to 7%.
Finally, add that 7% to the 65% disability rating, which adds up to 72%.
The VA rounds to the nearest tenth, so your official combined rating is 70%.
Why This Matters Financially
So even though 50% + 30% + 20% equals 100% in normal circumstances, according to the VA math method, this results in only a 70% combined disability rating, ad that difference has a major impact on your monthly tax-free compensation.
For example, in 2025, a single veteran with no dependents rated at 70% disability would receive $1,759.19 per month. That same veteran with a rating of 100% disability would receive $3,831.03 per month.
That means a 30% difference in rating can result in nearly double the monthly benefits.
Start with a Free VA Benefits Consultation
If you’re unsure whether your current VA rating reflects the full extent of your service-connected disabilities, don’t navigate the system alone. Bluestein Attorneys’ VA team is here to help you understand your rights, guide you through the process, and fight for every benefit you've earned. Contact us for a free consultation, and take the next step toward the compensation you deserve.