VA Disability Calculator 2026

Calculate Your Combined VA Rating & Pay

Real VA Math (38 CFR 4.25), the bilateral factor, dependents, and official 2026 pay rates. Free, private, and works right here in your browser.

Your Disabilities

0 conditions

Condition name (optional)

Rating

Paired (bilateral)

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Dependents

Spouse

Adds pay at 30%+ rating

Children under 18

Dependent minor children

Children in school (18–23)

Qualifying school program

Dependent parents

Financially dependent (max 2)

Combined Rating

0 %

Est. Monthly Pay (2026)

Est. Annual Pay

VA Math Breakdown

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How the VA Disability Calculator Works

This free calculator estimates your combined VA disability rating and 2026 monthly compensation. Enter each service-connected condition with its individual rating (10% through 100%), mark paired conditions as bilateral, and add your dependents. The tool applies VA Math (38 CFR 4.25) to combine the ratings, adds the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26) when applicable, looks up your pay from the official 2026 rate tables, and shows whether you meet P&T or SMC criteria.

Understanding VA Math (38 CFR 4.25)

VA Math is the official method the Department of Veterans Affairs uses to combine multiple disability ratings into a single "combined" percentage. It is not simple addition because a person cannot be more than 100% disabled. Instead, each rating is applied to the remaining "whole person" efficiency.

For example, a 50% rating and a 30% rating do not add to 80%. The 50% is applied first, leaving 50% efficiency. The 30% is then applied to that remaining 50% — which is 15 percentage points — for a combined raw value of 65%. VA rounds to the nearest 10%, so 65% becomes 70%. Our calculator shows every one of these steps so you can see exactly how your rating is built.

The Bilateral Factor (38 CFR 4.26)

When you have disabilities on opposite sides of your body — such as a left knee and a right knee, or bilateral shoulder conditions — VA applies a 10% "bilateral factor" bonus. The paired ratings are combined together first, then 10% of that combined value is added before folding everything into your overall rating. This rewards veterans whose service-connected conditions affect both sides of the body. Mark any two or more conditions as bilateral pairs and the calculator applies the factor automatically.

P&T and Special Monthly Compensation

Permanent and Total (P&T) status is generally granted when your combined rating is 100%, or when your combined rating is 70% or higher with at least one individual disability rated 60% or more. P&T locks in your benefits and extends education and health-care eligibility to your dependents.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is additional tax-free pay for severe losses or the need for aid and attendance. A combined rating of 100%, or any single disability rated 100%, typically triggers an SMC review. Full SMC tier math is available in the mobile app.

Assumptions & Disclaimer

Results are educational estimates based on the 2026 VA compensation rate tables (2.8% COLA, effective December 1, 2025) and standard VA Math. They assume your individual ratings are already determined. Actual combined ratings, effective dates, and payments are set by the VA and may differ. This tool is not affiliated with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Educational estimates only — results may vary from official VA determinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does VA Math combine multiple ratings?

VA Math (38 CFR 4.25) does not add your ratings together. Each rating is applied to your remaining "whole person" efficiency. Start at 100%, apply the highest rating, then apply the next rating to whatever efficiency remains (100% minus what is already taken). This repeats for every condition, and the final number is rounded to the nearest 10%. That is why a 50% and a 30% combine to 65% — which rounds to 70%, not 80%.

What is the bilateral factor?

The bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26) gives extra compensation when you have disabilities on both sides of your body — for example a left knee and a right knee, or a left and right shoulder. VA combines the paired ratings together, then adds 10% of that combined value before folding it into your overall rating. The web calculator applies this automatically whenever you mark two or more conditions as bilateral pairs.

Why is my combined rating not just the sum of my conditions?

Because no person can be more than 100% disabled. Once a condition "uses up" a percentage of your efficiency, additional conditions only apply to what is left. This is the core idea of VA Math and is why two 50% ratings combine to 75% (rounded to 80%), not 100%. Our step-by-step breakdown shows exactly how each rating is layered on.

Do dependents increase my VA pay at 10% or 20%?

No. Under 38 USC 1115, additional dependent pay only begins at a 30% combined rating or higher. A 10% or 20% veteran receives the same flat monthly amount regardless of spouse, children, or parents. At 30% and above, a spouse, children, dependent parents, and a spouse receiving Aid & Attendance all increase your monthly compensation.

What does 100% P&T mean?

P&T stands for Permanent and Total. You are generally considered P&T when your combined rating is 100%, or when your combined rating is 70% or higher and at least one individual disability is rated 60% or more. P&T status locks in your compensation and unlocks education and health-care benefits for dependents. The calculator flags P&T eligibility automatically.

What is Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)?

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is extra tax-free pay above the regular rate for specific severe conditions — such as loss of use of a limb, need for regular aid and attendance, or being housebound. The calculator shows an SMC hint when your combined rating reaches 100% or any single disability is rated 100%. Full SMC tier calculations are available in the mobile app.