VA Disability Calculator

The VA does not simply add individual disability percentages together. Instead, it calculates compensation based on 'whole body efficiency.' The system rates disabilities sequentially from highest to lowest severity. Each condition is applied to the remaining non-disabled percentage of the veteran's body. For instance, a 50% rating leaves 50% healthy. If a second condition is rated at 30%, it applies to that remaining 50%, resulting in 15%, which is then added to the initial 50% for a subtotal of 65%. These combined ratings are always rounded to the nearest 10% to determine the final compensation tier.

Imagine a veteran with three service-connected conditions: a major disability rated at 50%, a secondary issue rated at 30%, and a third issue rated at 10%. First, the VA takes the highest rating of 50%, leaving 50% efficiency. Next, the 30% rating is applied to the remaining 50%, yielding 15%. Adding this 15% to the initial 50% gives a subtotal of 65%. Finally, the remaining 10% rating is applied to the remaining 35% of efficiency, which equals 3.5%. Adding 3.5% to 65% results in 68.5%, which rounds up to a final combined disability rating of 70%.

Always list your conditions from highest percentage to lowest when organizing your documentation, as this mirrors the VA's calculation methodology. Keep detailed medical records that directly connect your current symptoms to your active-duty service history. Finally, remember that secondary service-connected conditions—health issues caused or worsened by an already service-connected primary disability—can be added to increase your overall rating tier.