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Calculate Your Combined VA Rating & Pay

Add each rated condition, mark bilateral pairs, and enter your dependents. We apply real VA Math (38 CFR 4.25), the bilateral factor, and the official 2026 pay tables — step by step, right in your browser.

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Combined Rating

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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. 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.

How to Calculate Your Combined VA Rating (Step by Step)

  1. List each service-connected condition. Write down every condition the VA has rated, with its individual disability percentage (10% through 100%).
  2. Sort ratings highest to lowest. Order the percentages from largest to smallest. VA Math always applies the biggest rating first.
  3. Apply each rating to remaining efficiency. Start at 100% "whole person" efficiency. Apply the highest rating, then apply the next rating to whatever efficiency remains (100% minus what is already taken), and repeat for every condition.
  4. Add the bilateral factor. If you have paired conditions on both sides of your body (for example a left and right knee), combine those paired ratings together and add 10% of that combined value before folding it into your overall rating.
  5. Round to the nearest 10%. Take the combined raw percentage and round to the nearest 10% (a .5 always rounds up). That is your official combined rating.
  6. Look up your 2026 pay. Use your combined rating and dependent status (spouse, children, parents) to find your monthly compensation in the official 2026 VA rate table.

2026 VA Disability Pay Rates

Monthly rates effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA). Figures are tax-free.

RatingVeteran AloneWith Spouse1 ChildSpouse + 1 Child
10% $180.42 $180.42 $180.42 $180.42
20% $356.66 $356.66 $356.66 $356.66
30% $552.47 $617.47 $596.47 $666.47
40% $795.84 $882.84 $853.84 $947.84
50% $1,132.90 $1,241.90 $1,205.90 $1,322.90
60% $1,435.02 $1,566.02 $1,523.02 $1,663.02
70% $1,808.45 $1,961.45 $1,910.45 $2,074.45
80% $2,102.15 $2,277.15 $2,219.15 $2,406.15
90% $2,362.30 $2,559.30 $2,494.30 $2,704.30
100% $3,938.58 $4,158.17 $4,085.43 $4,318.99

Extra Allowances (added to the base rate)

Allowance30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Each additional child under 18$32.00$43.00$54.00$65.00$76.00$87.00$98.00$109.11
Each child in school (age 18–23)$105.00$140.00$176.00$211.00$246.00$281.00$317.00$352.45
Spouse receiving Aid & Attendance$61.00$81.00$101.00$121.00$141.00$161.00$181.00$201.41
Each dependent parent$52.00$70.00$88.00$105.00$123.00$140.00$158.00$176.24

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 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.
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