VA Disability Calculator

How Does VA Math Work?

The VA doesn't simply add your disability percentages together. Instead, each rating is applied to your remaining "healthy" percentage. This is called VA math or the combined ratings table.

For example, if you have a 50% rating and a 30% rating, the VA calculates it as:

• Start with 50% disability (meaning 50% healthy remaining)
• Apply 30% to the remaining 50% = 15% additional disability
• Combined: 50% + 15% = 65%
• Rounded to nearest 10: 70% final rating

What is the Bilateral Factor?

When you have disabilities affecting both sides of your body (like both knees or both shoulders), the VA applies a bilateral factor. This adds approximately 10% of your combined bilateral rating before the final calculation, often bumping you to the next rating level.

Planning Your Path to 100%

Our calculator includes a Goal Planner feature that shows you exactly what additional rating you need to reach your target percentage. This helps you understand which secondary conditions to pursue and prioritize your claims strategically.