A note on our calculator: We’ve designed our calculator using the VA’s current disability rates and processes, and we update it regularly for accuracy. Please keep in mind, however, the results generated here are estimates and may differ slightly from your official combined rating amount. 

How to calculate your VA disability rating using our calculator

Trying to understand how to correctly fill out our VA disability rating calculator may be confusing. That’s why we provide step-by-step instructions below to help you get the most reliable estimate possible. Keep in mind, the actual rating you receive from the VA may differ from your results.

Part 1: Ratings

The first section of our VA disability calculator is where you will select any current service-connected disabilities you have and their respective VA ratings. 

Click the blue “Add Rating” button to begin entering each of your service-connected disabilities. If you have a rating for an arm or a leg, use the drop-down list to select which arm or leg. For any other rating, select the “VA disability” option.

If you make a mistake, you can use the red trash can button to delete your selection and start over.

Please note that if you have VA ratings for conditions or injuries of your arms or legs on both sides of the body, our calculator will apply the bilateral factor as appropriate. The bilateral factor allows the VA to assign a more appropriate rating to veterans with disabilities affecting both sides of the body. This is why conditions affecting the arms and legs must be designated separately.

Part 2: Dependents

Next you will see a box labeled “Dependents.” If you have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher, you will receive additional compensation for each qualifying dependent you claim. Complete the three fields in this section using the drop-down lists to make sure your estimated monthly compensation is as accurate as possible.

1. Dependent children under 18: This includes biological children, children legally adopted before the age of 18, and stepchildren who joined your household before turning 18.
2. Dependent children 18 and older: Children between 18 and 23 are considered dependents if they are enrolled full time in a VA-approved school. Additionally, a child who becomes permanently unable to support themselves before age 18 remains a dependent at any age, unless they marry, become employed, or are later found capable of self-support.
3. Number of dependent parents: One or both parents may qualify as a dependent if they rely on the veteran for financial support.

Part 3: Marital status

The last part of our VA rating calculator asks about your marital status. As with dependent children and parents, married veterans with a VA disability rating of 30% or higher will receive additional compensation.

Please note that this only applies to current spouses, not a deceased or former spouse.

If you are currently married, check the box. If you are not married, you can skip this part. 

Clicking the “Married” checkbox will prompt a second one to appear. This option asks if your spouse requires Aid and Attendance. If they do, the veteran may be owed extra compensation. 

Part 4: Your VA disability calculator results

Finally, once you have entered all of your rating information, the red box at the bottom of the calculator will show three figures: your actual rating, your combined rating, and your estimated monthly benefit amount.

To clear the calculator and start over, you can click the “Reset all” button below your results at any time.

If you have questions about your VA disability calculator results or any other VA disability-related concerns, call us or fill out a form and someone from our legal team will be happy to assist.

How does our VA disability calculator work?

The VA developed its own special formula, often referred to as “VA math,” to determine the combined rating for veterans with multiple service-connected disabilities.

Our VA disability calculator uses this special math and the VA’s current payment amounts to help you determine how much you could be owed in benefits.

The VA looks at a disability rating as the percentage of your working capacity that you can no longer use due to your service-connected disability.

For example, if you joined the military completely healthy, with no preexisting conditions, injuries, or ailments, you would be considered to have 100% working capacity, or 100% efficiency.

Each service-connected condition you have chips away at your efficiency and adds to your disability. As the amount of efficiency you have remaining decreases, it becomes harder for your disability ratings to add up.

While veterans can do VA math by hand, it can be easier and more accurate to use the tools like our VA disability calculator above.

How Woods & Woods can help

Our team of VA-accredited attorneys, legal analysts, case managers, and intake specialists help veterans nationwide get the benefits they deserve. If you’re tired of appealing one VA decision after another, call us today for a free case evaluation.