Va Combined Disability Rating Chart

Date:

Share post:

How To Calculate Your Combined Va Disability Rating

Compensation 101: How did I get this rating?

The VA uses the combined ratings table to determine a final disability rating for a veteran with multiple disabilities.

To use this table, you must first list each of your disability ratings in order of severity . Find the first one in the left column, and then find where it intersects with the top column number representing your second highest disability rating. Round to the nearest 10 if those are your only two ratings. If not, put the number from the intersection point in the left column, then find where it intersects with the top row number representing your third-highest percentage.

Repeat this process until you have run the numbers for all disability ratings, then round to the nearest 10.

For example, a veteran rated for a 50% disability and a 30% disability, would receive a combined rating of 65%, which the VA rounds to the nearest 10, so 70%.

In a different example on the VA official site, a veteran rated with two disabilities at 40% and 20% has a combined value of 52%. The VA rounds that number down to 50%.

How Special Monthly Compensation Can Supplement Your Va Disability Rating

We havent talked about Special Monthly Compensation yet. For veterans with severe disabilities, SMC supplements or replaces your monthly disability rating altogether. So if your disability qualified you for SMC-K, you will receive an additional $111 monthly payment. If you qualify for SMC-L through SMC-S, the Special Monthly Compensation rate will replace your regular payment. Dont worry, the new SMC amount will be a higher amount than what you were previously receiving. To learn more about eligibility, have a look at our extensive guide to Special Monthly Compensation.

Calculating Your 2022 Va Disability Rates

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has long recognized the value and importance of ensuring that Americas veterans are compensated for their military service. This is especially true when military service has led to service-connected medical issues or disabilities.

To ensure disability compensation is awarded fairly, the VA examines disability rates each year to adjust for inflation and higher costs of living. This ensures disability benefits maintain value over time.

If you currently receive VA disability benefits, its worth taking the time to review the charts presented here that outline new VA compensation rates for 2022. This way, you will know how much disability compensation you will receive each month and be able to plan your 2022 finances accordingly.

Recommended Reading: Va Disability Rating For Migraines

Whats A Disability Rating

We assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your disability. We express this rating as a percentage, representing how much your disability decreases your overall health and ability to function.

We then use your disability rating to determine your disability compensation rate, so we can calculate how much money youll receive from us each month. We also use your disability rating to help determine your eligibility for other benefits, like VA health care.

How To File A Request For An Increased Va Disability Rating

We Analyzed 4.7 Million Veterans with a VA Rating: Heres What We ...

Your disability may worsen at some point. Perhaps you are experiencing more pain, experiencing new symptoms, or finding that your existing disability is causing other problems.

You may have knee pain because of your service-related back injury, which causes you to favor one leg over the other.

The process for requesting an increase is usually the same as when you first applied for benefits. You must provide evidence that your condition has worsened, and private or VA doctors can provide this evidence.

For your private doctor to share your medical information with the VA, you must submit a VA Form 21-4142.

If you go to a civilian doctor as part of the Veterans Choice program, the VA Form 21-4142 may not be necessary, but it is never a bad idea to have one on hand.

Read Also: Iphone Is Disabled How To Unlock

Make Sure You Count The Bilateral Factor

We have written at length about the Bilateral Factor here but you should make sure the VA didnt miss it in your ratings. If you have symptoms for some conditions on both legs or both arms, you could get an additional 10% rating because it affects both sides. Disabilities with both arms or legs affected by a service-connected injury are much more difficult, which is why the bilateral factor was introduced.

Even though it is only 10%, it is one of those benefits that is really easy to claim if you have already proven that you have service-connected issues with both arms or legs. On a scale where rounding numbers off can be the difference of a few hundred dollars a month you want to get all that you deserve from the VA.

Va Disability Rating Percentages For Musculoskeletal Conditions

The most common are strains, sprains, arthritis, and reduced flexion in arms, legs, backs, and necks. Former infantrymen commonly filed claims for knee and ankle injuries.

It would help if you showed persistent and recurring symptoms to qualify for musculoskeletal disability benefits. Here are some common symptoms:

Read Also: Disability For Arthritis In Spine

How To Use Vas Combined Ratings Table For Va Disability

Many veterans are familiar with the unusual way in which VA combines multiple disability ratings to come up with the veterans combined rating. VA uses a combined ratings table to determine a veterans overall rating, which then in turn determines how much monthly compensation the veteran will receive.

How To Determine Your Monthly Compensation Rate

VA Math: How the Combined Rating Table Works for Veterans Disability Claims

Because of the VA’s method of calculation, the Service-Connected Disability Rating System has become complex.

VA disability ratings determine service-connected disability benefits and compensation. Making sure you receive the right benefits requires knowing how to calculate your rating. A difference in compensation payments and other benefits of hundreds to thousands of dollars can have a significant impact.

Recommended Reading: What Benefits Do 100 Disabled Veterans Receive In Texas

How Do You Read A Va Combined Rating Table

Reading the combined rating table is similar to how we read a multiplication table in school. Where the number from the left column and the number from the top row intersect, we arrive at the combined disability.

This process is repeated until all of our ratings are accounted for. Then the number is rounded to the nearest ten.

Best Va Disability Calculator: How Do I Calculate My Combined Va Disability Rating

The amount of monthly tax-free disability compensation youll receive depends on your overall combined VA rating, which is based on a fuzzy VA Math calculation.

Veterans can use our #1 rated VA disability calculator to calculate your VA rating percentage quickly, and determine your monthly payment amount, in just a few clicks.

Also Check: What Happens When An Employee Goes On Long-term Disability

How We Assign Smc Levels L Through O

We assign SMC levels based on very specific situations and combinations of situations, including:

  • The amputation of one or more limbs or extremities
  • The loss of use of one or more limbs or extremities
  • The physical loss of one or both eyes
  • The loss of sight or total blindness in one or both eyes
  • Being permanently bedridden
  • Needing daily help with basic needs , also called Aid and Attendance

Select an SMC letter below to learn more about the specific situations and combinations of situations that fall within that designation.

SMC-L

  • Youve physically lost both eyes, or
  • You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light

Or you have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light in one eye, and:

  • Youve physically lost the other eye, and have deafness in both ears , or
  • You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have deafness in both ears , or
  • Youve physically lost the other eye, and have lost the use of one foot , or
  • You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have lost the use of one foot

Or you have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light in both eyes, and:

  • You have deafness in both ears , or
  • Youve had one hand amputated, or
  • Youve lost the use of one foot, or
  • Youve lost the use of one hand, or
  • Youve had one foot amputated, or
  • Youve lost the use of one foot

Or you have blindness in one eye, and:

SMC-N 1/2

SMC-O

Who Is Hill & Ponton

How the Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA) Calculates your VA Disability

At Hill & Ponton, a team of va disability lawyers, we have reviewed our veterans ratings by hand over many years. We finally developed a disability rating calculator to combine all the veterans ratings and give the final combined rating. After the calculator determines the rating, then you can put in the number of dependents and it gives you the monthly compensation rate that VA should be paying you. This calculator has helped us a lot when we can double-check the ratings of our veterans. As a result, we decided to put it on our website so that others can benefit from it too. The calculator cannot make the VA get the right rating but it can help you understand where you stand. A foundation of where you are in your claim will better help you get to where you want to go. This has been updated for 2023 rates as of 12/1/2022.

Please call for an appointment before visiting:

Mail Processing Center: P.O. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721

Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720

Read Also: Does Epilepsy Qualify For Disability

Veterans With Scars Are Entitled To Certain Benefits

Scars have a disability rating of 10% to 80%, as determined by the VA. The scarring must be pretty severe to receive VA disability compensation, but its usually a simple process to approve qualifying scars. A military service nexus is generally evident, and military service records almost always document injuries incurred while on active duty that is significant enough to warrant disability compensation.

Va Impairment Rating Chart

By Rich Frankel

The men and women of the armed forces give up a lot to serve our country. Too often, their sacrifice often leads to disabilities related to their military service. In this situation, disabled veterans may be entitled to compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs .

The VA calculates the amount of disability benefits that a veteran will receive based on its impairment rating table. These charts can be confusing, as a person may have multiple service-connected disabilities. A skilled veterans disability lawyer will examine every aspect of your file and put together a strong case for you to receive the highest possible level of disability benefits.

At Bross & Frankel, we advocate for disabled veterans, helping them get the benefits that they deserve after suffering a service-connected disability. We use our experience and knowledge of the system to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome. Give our law office a call today to schedule a free consultation with a New Jersey veterans disability benefits attorney.

Recommended Reading: How Many Hours Can I Work On Disability 2021

How Can I Qualify For A Higher Pay Rate

To qualify for a higher pay level, you have to have your individual condition ratings increased to increase your Total Combined Rating. If the VA assigned an incorrect rating to your conditions, you can appeal their rating decision, providing proof that you qualify for a higher rating. If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim, checking the box for an increased evaluation.

How To Apply For Va Disability

Tutorial: How to determine your VA disability rating using Combined Ratings Chart

Veterans should apply for VA disability compensation via their eBenefits account. If you do not have one, apply for an eBenefits account online. You will need the following documentation:

  • Discharge or separation papers such as DD214 or Guard/Reserve equivalent.
  • Medical evidence including military medical records, civilian treatment records, etc.
  • Vital records such as marriage and dependent birth certificates.

You can also apply via regular mail by filling out VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. Call VA at 1-800-827-1000 to have the form sent to you.

You May Like: 90 Percent Va Disability How To Get 100

Assistance With Claims And Appeals

Veterans may work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Services Officer to file your claim or appeal. These professionals are trained and certified in the VAs claims and appeals processes, making them well-equipped to answer your questions, meet your needs, and get you the disability compensation you deserve.

VA Disability Group PLLC is ready to take on your claim to get you the compensation you qualify for. Contact us online or call us at 1-844-VET-LAWS to request a consultation now.

How To Use The Va Disability Pay Calculator

To calculate your disability rating, take a look at your VA disability compensation award letter and select your official rating.

Next, select the number of dependents in each applicable category.

Then, select the appropriate box for your marital status, and whether or not your spouse needs Aid and Attendance benefits.

Once youve filled out everything, toggle the switch for monthly or annual compensation and hit calculate. .

» MORE:Veterans Can Buy a Home with $0 Down

Also Check: Can You Get Disability For Hearing Loss And Tinnitus

What Do I Need For Evaluation Of A Rate Increase

Many of our clients need to raise their rates. It would help if you discussed rate increases annually to ensure your rates remain competitive and your claims are covered.

Most companies report that policyholders are rarely surprised by a rate increase, even a large one. People now understand why insurance companies need to raise their rates following recent weather patterns, and Raises of a smaller, more consistent magnitude may be tolerated more easily.

Another method of raising rates relatively without penalizing policyholders is to increase the deductible. Many insurance companies currently charge a $1,000 deductible as the standard.

Consider these factors when changing your deductible to examine how the premiums are based on the various deductibles.

You should eliminate the credit factor for higher deductibles and shift the credit factors for following higher deductibles if you raise deductibles to a higher base deductible. Consider eliminating lower deductibles for those insureds who want to keep lower deductibles instead of charging them a surcharge.

How Does Va Calculate Combined Ratings

Social Security News: Social Security Turns Down Lots Of 100% Disabled Vets

VA uses a calculate a combined rating, VA starts with the veterans highest rating, and then works down the list of disabilities, combining them from highest to lowest. The table does not round up to whole numbers in increments of 10, so when VA has combined all of the disabilities, they will round up to the nearest 10 and the veteran will receive compensation at that rate.

Using the example above, if the veteran who is service-connected for PTSD at 30% is later service-connected for headaches at 30% and hearing loss at 10%, their overall rating would not be 70%. Instead, VA would combine the 30% for headaches with the 30% for PTSD, coming out to 51%. It would then combine the 10% for hearing loss with the 51%, which would come out to 56%. VA would then round the 56% to the nearest 10, which would be 60%. The veterans overall combined rating would be 60% and he would receive monthly compensation at that 60% rate.

You May Like: Can I Get Financial Aid While On Disability

The Va Disability Rating System Explained

The VA uses a disability rating system to assign a percentage to the severity of your disability, using a scale that measures from 0-100% and rises incrementally by 10%. This rating then determines your benefit amount. The VA determines your rating through an internal review of your health and medical history, going over a combination of service treatment records, VA medical records, and private medical records that are directly related to your disability. Your rating will be based on a single diagnostic code per condition, even should that condition meet more than one diagnostic code.

If you have more than one disability, you can use the combined-rating system to find your benefit amount.

How Can I Qualify For A Higher Va Disability Pay Rate

To qualify for a higher VA pay rate, you must get one or more individual condition ratings increased, which will then increase your total combined rating.

If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim on VA.gov by checking the box for an increased evaluation.

Heres the deal fellow veterans

So many veterans are stuck, frustrated, and underrated by the VA.

And were on a MISSION to change it so you and your family get the VA disability benefits you deserve for serving our country.

If youre ready to increase your VA rating, regardless of past denials, checkout my brand-new FREE video training for 2023:

VA CLAIM SECRETS: Top 3 Strategies to WIN Your VA Claim, PROVE Service Connection, and INCREASE Your VA Rating in Less Time!

Reveal SECRET VA Claim Tips & Strategies for Veterans

Click the button below to launch the FREE training:

Recommended Reading: What Happens If I Don’t Pay Back Long Term Disability

Special Monthly Compensation Rates For Veterans Without Children

Effective December 1, 2022

Level R may apply if you need daily help from another person for basic needs .

Level S may apply if you cant leave the house because of your service-connected disabilities.

SMC-L through SMC-N rates

Start with the Basic SMC rates table. Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then find your SMC letter designation in the top row. Your monthly basic rate is where your dependent status and SMC letter meet.

If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also check the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic SMC rates table.

With spouse and 1 parent
With spouse and 2 parents
Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance SMC-L 185.21

SMC-N 1/2 through SMC-S

Start with the Basic SMC rates table. Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then find your SMC letter designation in the top row. Your monthly basic rate is where your dependent status and SMC letter meet.

If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also check the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic SMC rates table.

With spouse and 1 parent
With spouse and 2 parents
Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance SMC-N 1/2

Related articles

Can’t Work Due To Disability

Can You Get Disability For Migraine ...

Back Pay For Va Disability

Who Can File A Va Disability Claim ...

Filing For Disability In Nc

The Disability Application Process VA...