How VA Disability Ratings Are Calculated: VA Math Explained (2026 Guide)
Learn how VA combined disability ratings work. Understand VA math, the combined rating formula, 2026 compensation rates, TDIU, dependent allowances, and the bilateral factor.
1. VA Math Explained
The biggest frustration veterans face with disability ratings is that VA ratings don't add up normally. Two 50% ratings don't equal 100%. They equal 75%. Here's why:
The Formula
- 1. Start at 100% (fully healthy)
- 2. Sort your ratings highest to lowest
- 3. Apply the highest rating first: subtract from 100
- 4. Apply the next rating to the REMAINING percentage only
- 5. Repeat for all ratings
- 6. Subtract final remaining from 100 = combined rating
- 7. Round to the nearest 10%
Example: 50% + 50%
- Start: 100% healthy
- Apply 50%: 100 - 50 = 50% remaining
- Apply 50% to remaining: 50 x 0.50 = 25 reduction
- 50 - 25 = 25% remaining
- Combined: 100 - 25 = 75%, rounds to 80%
- NOT 100% as simple addition would suggest
Rounding Rules
The final combined value is rounded to the nearest 10%. The 5 rounds up: 75% rounds to 80%, 74% rounds to 70%, 65% rounds to 70%, 55% rounds to 60%. This rounding can mean hundreds of dollars per month difference in compensation.
2. 2026 Compensation Rates
These rates are effective December 1, 2025, reflecting a 2.5% COLA increase. All payments are completely tax-free.
| Rating | Monthly | Annual | Tax-Equivalent* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $2106 | ~$234/mo |
| 20% | $347.14 | $4166 | ~$463/mo |
| 30% | $537.26 | $6447 | ~$716/mo |
| 40% | $773.82 | $9286 | ~$1,032/mo |
| 50% | $1102.04 | $13224 | ~$1,469/mo |
| 60% | $1394.80 | $16738 | ~$1,860/mo |
| 70% | $1758.02 | $21096 | ~$2,344/mo |
| 80% | $2044.30 | $24532 | ~$2,726/mo |
| 90% | $2296.58 | $27559 | ~$3,062/mo |
| 100% | $3828.06 | $45937 | ~$5,104/mo |
*Tax-equivalent assumes ~25% effective tax rate. Your actual equivalent depends on your tax bracket.
The 100% Jump
Notice the massive jump from 90% ($2,296.58) to 100% ($3,828.06). That's a $1,531.48/month increase for going from 90% to 100%. This is why veterans fight hard for that last 10%, and why understanding VA math and rounding is so important.
3. Dependent Allowances
Veterans rated 30% or higher receive additional compensation for dependents. At 10-20%, no dependent pay is available.
| Rating | Alone | + Spouse | + Spouse & 1 Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | $537.26 | $601.26 | $649.26 |
| 50% | $1102.04 | $1205.04 | $1277.04 |
| 70% | $1758.02 | $1900.02 | $1996.02 |
| 100% | $3828.06 | $4160.17 | $4292.39 |
4. TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability)
TDIU pays at the 100% rate ($3,828.06/month) even if your combined rating is less than 100%, when you can't maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.
Eligibility Requirements
- Option A: One disability rated at least 60%
- Option B: Two or more disabilities with 70%+ combined, and at least one at 40%+
- Plus evidence you cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment
- You can still earn below the poverty threshold (~$15,060/year) and maintain TDIU
5. Bilateral Factor
When disabilities affect paired extremities (both arms, both legs), the VA applies a 10% bonus to the combined bilateral rating before combining with other disabilities.
Example: Left Knee 30% + Right Knee 20%
- Combine bilateral: 100 - 30 = 70; 70 x 0.20 = 14; 70 - 14 = 56 remaining = 44% combined
- Apply bilateral factor: 44 x 0.10 = 4.4
- Adjusted bilateral: 44 + 4.4 = 48.4%
- This 48.4% is then combined with any other non-bilateral ratings
6. Real-World Examples
Example 1: PTSD 70% + Tinnitus 10%
- 100 - 70 = 30 remaining
- 30 x 0.10 = 3 reduction
- 30 - 3 = 27 remaining
- Combined: 100 - 27 = 73% rounds to 70%
- Monthly: $1,758.02 (veteran alone, tax-free)
Example 2: Back 40% + Knee 30% + Tinnitus 10% + Scars 10%
- 100 - 40 = 60 remaining
- 60 x 0.30 = 18; 60 - 18 = 42 remaining
- 42 x 0.10 = 4.2; 42 - 4.2 = 37.8 remaining
- 37.8 x 0.10 = 3.78; 37.8 - 3.78 = 34.02 remaining
- Combined: 100 - 34.02 = 65.98% rounds to 70%
- Monthly: $1,758.02 (alone) or $1,900.02 (with spouse)
Example 3: Near the 100% threshold
70% + 50% + 30% + 20%
- 100 - 70 = 30; 30 x 0.50 = 15; 30 - 15 = 15
- 15 x 0.30 = 4.5; 15 - 4.5 = 10.5
- 10.5 x 0.20 = 2.1; 10.5 - 2.1 = 8.4
- Combined: 100 - 8.4 = 91.6% rounds to 90%
- Monthly: $2,296.58 at 90% vs $3,828.06 at 100%
- Missing 100% by 8.4 points costs $1,531.48/month
- This is why TDIU matters for veterans who can't work
The Bottom Line
VA math means your combined rating is always less than the simple sum of your individual ratings. Understanding this formula helps you plan your claims strategy, know what rating you need to hit the next threshold, and determine if TDIU might be an option.
Use our VA Disability Calculator to calculate your exact combined rating and see your estimated monthly compensation with dependent allowances.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on the official VA combined rating formula and published 2026 compensation rates. Actual ratings are determined by VA examiners. Consult a VA-accredited claims agent or attorney for your specific case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't VA ratings add up normally?
The VA uses 'whole person' theory. You start at 100% healthy. Each disability reduces your remaining health, not the total. So 50% + 50% doesn't equal 100% -- the first 50% leaves 50% remaining, and the second 50% takes half of THAT remaining 50% (=25%), giving you 75% combined. This prevents exceeding 100% and reflects that each additional disability has less overall impact.
What is the VA combined rating formula?
Sort ratings highest to lowest. Start with 100. Apply the highest rating first (subtract from 100). Apply the next rating to the REMAINING percentage only. Repeat for all ratings. Subtract the final remaining from 100. Round to the nearest 10%. Example: 70% + 40% + 20% = 100-70=30, 30x0.4=12 so 30-12=18, 18x0.2=3.6 so 18-3.6=14.4, combined = 100-14.4 = 85.6%, rounds to 90%.
How much does a 100% VA disability rating pay in 2026?
$3,828.06/month for a veteran with no dependents (tax-free). With a spouse: $4,160.17/month. With spouse and one child: $4,292.39/month. These rates reflect the 2.5% COLA increase effective December 1, 2025.
Is VA disability pay taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is completely exempt from federal and state income tax. This makes the effective value significantly higher than the dollar amount suggests -- $3,828/month tax-free is equivalent to roughly $5,000-5,500/month in pre-tax income.