Enter your ratings
Add each service-connected rating from your decision letters. Tick “both arms or both legs” for ratings on both sides of the body (for example both knees), so the bilateral factor is applied.
Your estimated combined rating
70%
The VA’s math gives a combined value of 72, which rounds to 70%. The next level up starts at 75.
How the VA did the math
- Start with the highest rating: 50. That leaves 50% of you “not disabled.”
- Next: 30% of the remaining 50 is 15. 50 + that = 65.
- Next: 20% of the remaining 35 is 7. 65 + that = 72.
- The final value, 72, is rounded to the nearest 10: 70%.
What would it take to reach 100%?
- A combined value of 95 or more rounds to 100%. You are at 72, so you need 23 more points of combined value.
- One additional rating of 90% or more would get you there.
- Or about 15 additional 10% ratings.
- Or about 8 additional 20% ratings.
- Or about 5 additional 30% ratings.
- Each new rating counts for less as you get closer to 100%, because it only applies to what is left. That is why many Veterans feel stuck at 80% or 90%.
- Raising an existing rating, adding secondary conditions, or Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which pays at the 100% rate if your conditions keep you from working, can all be paths. Which one fits depends on your evidence.
This calculator is an estimate for general information. Only the VA decides your ratings. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent anywhere.
How VA math works
VA doesn’t add your ratings together. It combines them, starting with the highest, using what it calls the “whole person” method (38 C.F.R. 4.25).
- Start with your highest rating. At 50%, VA treats you as 50% disabled and 50% “efficient.”
- The next rating applies only to what’s left. A 30% rating takes 30% of the remaining 50, which is 15. Now you’re at 65.
- Keep going down your ratings the same way. A 20% rating takes 20% of the remaining 35, which is 7. Now you’re at 72.
- Round the final number to the nearest 10. 72 rounds to 70%. A value of 95 or more rounds to 100%.
If you have ratings on both arms or both legs, VA first combines those and adds 10% of that value, called the bilateral factor (38 C.F.R. 4.26). The calculator above does this when you tick “both arms or both legs.”
Source: VA’s disability ratings page and combined ratings table in 38 C.F.R. 4.25.
VA combined ratings chart
Find your higher rating in the left column and your next rating across the top. Where they meet is the combined value before rounding. For three or more ratings, use the result as your new starting row and repeat, or let the calculator do it.
| Higher \ Next | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | 19 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 20% | 28 | 36 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 30% | 37 | 44 | 51 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 40% | 46 | 52 | 58 | 64 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 50% | 55 | 60 | 65 | 70 | 75 | – | – | – | – |
| 60% | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | – | – | – |
| 70% | 73 | 76 | 79 | 82 | 85 | 88 | 91 | – | – |
| 80% | 82 | 84 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 92 | 94 | 96 | – |
| 90% | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 |
Frequently asked questions
Why don't my VA ratings add up?
VA doesn't add ratings together. It combines them using the "whole person" method in 38 C.F.R. 4.25: each rating applies only to the part of you not already rated. That is why 50% and 30% combine to 65, not 80.
How does the VA round my combined rating?
VA rounds the final combined value to the nearest 10. Values ending in 5 or more round up, so 65 becomes 70 and 94 becomes 90. A combined value of 95 or more rounds to 100%.
What is the bilateral factor?
When you have ratings on both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles, VA combines those ratings first and then adds 10% of that value before combining it with your other ratings (38 C.F.R. 4.26).
Is this calculator's result my official rating?
No. It is an estimate for general information. Only VA decides your ratings, and your decision letter shows your official combined rating.
Wondering what back pay a new rating could mean? Try our VA back pay calculator. Want to know if a higher rating is realistic for you? Read how to get your VA rating increased, or see our rating increase coaching.
Stuck short of 100%?
Start with a free coaching call. We’ll help you understand where your claim stands and what your next step could look like.
Start your free coaching callLove4Vets is a VA claim coaching firm, not a law firm, and does not provide legal representation. We do not guarantee any rating or outcome.