VA Disability Rating Calculator: How It Works and How to Use It

If you are a veteran or service member applying for benefits, one of the most common questions is: “What will my VA disability rating be?” Understanding your combined rating can feel complicated, but that’s exactly why the VA Disability Rating Calculator exists. This tool helps you quickly estimate your potential rating so you can plan your benefits and financial future with confidence.

What Is the VA Disability Rating?

The VA disability rating is a percentage assigned by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to measure how much your service-connected condition impacts your overall health and daily life. Ratings range from 0% to 100%, and they determine the level of compensation you receive.

For example, if you have PTSD rated at 50% and a back injury rated at 30%, these ratings do not simply add up. Instead, the VA uses a combined rating table that accounts for how each condition affects your remaining ability to work and function. This is where a VA disability rating calculator makes things much easier.

How to Use the VA Disability Rating Calculator

Using the calculator is simple and user-friendly. Here’s how it works step by step:

1. Enter your first condition percentage. For example, 50%.
2. Add additional conditions (up to five). Each input should reflect the percentage rating of a service-connected disability.
3. Click “Calculate Rating.” The calculator will automatically apply the VA’s formula, combining each condition according to your remaining efficiency.
4. View your estimated rating. Results are rounded to the nearest 10% (as the VA does officially).

This gives you a clear picture of your potential combined rating before you apply or during an appeal.

Why This Calculator Is Useful

• ✅ Saves time – no need to study VA’s complex tables.
• ✅ Easy to understand – simple inputs, instant result.
• ✅ Accurate estimation – uses the same formula the VA applies.
• ✅ Helps with planning – understand your potential compensation.

Example Calculation

Suppose you have:

• PTSD: 50%
• Back injury: 30%
• Hearing loss: 10%

The calculator applies each rating to the remaining “healthy” portion of your body. Instead of 90%, your result would be 70%, rounded to the nearest 10.

Important Notes

This calculator is an educational tool only. The official VA decision may include other factors such as dependents, unemployability, and special monthly compensation. Always consult with a VA-accredited representative or the Department of Veterans Affairs for your official rating.