VA Disability Calculator
Calculate your combined VA disability rating and estimate your monthly compensation using official VA math and 2026 rates.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Add disability ratings and calculate to see your estimated combined rating and monthly compensation.
How the VA Disability Calculator Works
This calculator uses the VA's combined ratings formula defined in 38 CFR § 4.25 to determine your overall disability percentage. Enter each of your rated disabilities and the calculator computes the combined rating, applies rounding rules, and estimates your monthly compensation based on current 2026 rates (2.8% COLA adjustment).
How VA Math Works
The VA does not simply add disability percentages together. Instead, each rating is applied to the remaining “whole” body percentage. For example, if you have a 50% rating and a 30% rating:
- Start with 100% (whole person)
- Apply 50%: 100 × 0.50 = 50 — remaining 50%
- Apply 30% to remaining: 50 × 0.30 = 15
- Total disability: 50 + 15 = 65%, rounded to 70%
This method is defined in the Combined Ratings Table (38 CFR § 4.25). Ratings are always rounded to the nearest 10%.
Bilateral Factor
When disabilities affect both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles, the VA applies a bilateral factor under 38 CFR § 4.26. The bilateral disabilities are first combined, then 10% of that combined value is added (not combined) before proceeding with further combinations. This calculator applies the bilateral factor automatically when you designate extremity sides.
The regulation covers upper extremities (arm, forearm, hand) and lower extremities (thigh, leg, foot) as a whole. For example, a compensable disability of the right knee and left ankle qualifies for the bilateral factor because both lower extremities are affected. The bilateral factor is not applicable unless there is a compensable disability in each of the two paired extremities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does VA disability math work?
The VA uses a “whole person” method where each rating reduces the remaining healthy percentage rather than being added arithmetically. This is why two 50% ratings combine to 75%, not 100%.
What is 70% plus 50% in VA math?
Using VA math: 70% applied first leaves 30%. Then 50% of 30% = 15%. Total = 85%, which rounds to 90%.
Does the VA round disability ratings?
Yes. The final combined rating is rounded to the nearest 10%. A combined value of 55% or higher rounds to 60%, while 54% or lower rounds to 50%.
How does the bilateral factor work?
When paired extremities (both knees, both shoulders, etc.) are rated, the VA combines those ratings first, adds 10% of that combined value as a bonus, then combines the result with remaining disabilities. See 38 CFR § 4.26 for details.
Can multiple disabilities combine to 100%?
Yes, but it requires very high individual ratings. Because each successive rating applies to a shrinking remainder, reaching a combined 95% or higher (which rounds to 100%) requires substantial disability.
VA Rounding Rules
Per 38 CFR § 4.25, the final combined rating is converted to the nearest number divisible by 10. Combined values ending in 5 are adjusted upward. All intermediate calculations carry the unrounded value — rounding only happens once, at the very end.
- Combined values 1–4 round to 0%
- 5–14 round to 10%
- 15–24 round to 20%
- 25–34 round to 30%
- 35–44 round to 40%
- 45–54 round to 50%
- 55–64 round to 60%
- 65–74 round to 70%
- 75–84 round to 80%
- 85–94 round to 90%
- 95–100 round to 100%
2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates
The 2026 VA disability compensation rates reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) effective December 1, 2025. The rates below show monthly base compensation for a veteran with no dependents. Higher rates apply when you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents (available at 30% and above).
| Rating | Monthly (Veteran Alone) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Source: VA.gov 2026 Compensation Rate Tables. Dependent-adjusted rates for 30%–100% are computed automatically by the calculator above.
Methodology and Sources
This calculator implements the combined ratings formula from 38 CFR § 4.25 and the bilateral factor from 38 CFR § 4.26. Compensation rates reflect the 2026 VA rate tables (2.8% COLA, effective December 1, 2025). Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) rates are per 38 U.S.C. § 1114 and 38 CFR § 3.350.
- Disabilities are sorted in descending order before combination
- Intermediate values remain unrounded; rounding applies only to the final result
- The bilateral factor (10%) is added, not combined, per § 4.26
- Compensation includes base disability rates and dependent-adjusted rates for ratings of 30% and above
Your disability rating may exempt you from the VA funding fee when purchasing a home. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are generally exempt from this one-time fee. Estimate your VA loan payment to see how your rating affects your home loan costs.
If you own a home in Texas, your disability rating may also qualify you for a property tax exemption. See Texas veteran property tax exemptions to learn how your rating affects your property taxes. Need help understanding your rating or filing a claim? Try the Fireguard AI Claims Assistant for regulation-based guidance on VA disability claims.
Disclaimer: This calculator is an educational estimation tool provided by Fireguard. It is not an official VA determination. The VA makes all final rating and compensation decisions. Verify current rates and rules at VA.gov.