PTSD
Typical Rating: 10% - 100%PTSD is rated 10% to 100% based on occupational and social impairment. It is one of the most commonly claimed VA disabilities.
Updated for 2026 VA compensation
VA Combined Rating Calculator 2026
Enter your ratings. Get your real combined percentage and 2026 monthly pay — instantly.
VA combined ratings are calculated using a non-additive method that determines a veteran's overall degree of disability. Because standard addition doesn't apply (e.g., 50% and 30% combine to 70%, not 80%), this "VA math" frequently confuses veterans trying to estimate their benefits. Our calculator dynamically combines your individual ratings, applies bilateral factors, and references the exact 2026 pay tables automatically.
38 CFR 4.25 Whole person method
38 CFR 4.26 Bilateral factor support
2026 Dependent pay tables
Calculator settings
Build your VA rating profile
1
Choose condition area
Select the body area or condition family before adding a rating.
2
Add rating percentage
Click a percentage to add it to your rating stack.
3
Dependent and work details
Used only for monthly payment estimates, not the combined rating.
How many dependent children do you have who are under the age of 18?
0
How many dependent children do you have who are between the ages of 18 and 24 and are in a qualifying school program?
0
What is your marital status?
How many dependent parents do you have?
0
Are your service-connected disabilities affecting your ability to work full time?
VA Disability Topics: Key Guides for Veterans
VA Math Explained
Learn how multiple individual ratings are calculated together.
How Combined Ratings Work
Follow the VA combined rating formula step by step.
Whole Person Concept
Understand why each VA rating applies only to the healthy portion that remains.
Diminishing Returns
Learn why new low-rated conditions barely move a high combined rating.
VA Bilateral Factor
See how paired arms, legs, and muscle groups can add a 10% boost to VA math.
VA Rounding Rules
Understand when combined ratings round down, round up, or reach 100%.
VA Pay Rates 2026
Check the comprehensive pay tables for 2026 disability compensation.
Ratings by Condition
View criteria and typical disability ratings for common conditions.
Secondary Conditions
Connect secondary claims directly to your primary service-connected issues.
Increase Your Rating
Step-by-step guidance on gathering evidence to request a higher rating.
State VA Benefits
Explore state-specific benefits and property tax waivers for veterans.
VA Disability Ratings by Condition: 2026 Guide
Select a condition below to view typical VA ratings, criteria, and claims requirements.
Sleep Apnea
Typical Rating: 30% - 50%Sleep Apnea is rated 30% or 50% depending on the requirement of a CPAP machine or other breathing assistance device.
Tinnitus
Typical Rating: 10% (Max)Tinnitus is rated at a maximum of 10% for persistent ringing in the ears, regardless of whether it affects one or both ears.
Back Pain
Typical Rating: 10% - 20%Back pain ratings range from 10% to 20% for mechanical issues, primarily evaluated by range of motion limitations.
Knee Pain
Typical Rating: 10% - 30%Knee pain is commonly rated between 10% and 30% based on flexion/extension limitations, instability, or joint resurfacing.
Depression
Typical Rating: 10% - 100%Depression is evaluated under the general mental health criteria from 10% to 100% depending on social and occupational impairment.
Anxiety
Typical Rating: 10% - 100%Anxiety is rated under mental health criteria from 10% to 100%, focusing on cognitive and behavioral impacts on daily functioning.
Hearing Loss
Typical Rating: 0% - 100%Hearing loss can range from 0% to 100% based on speech discrimination scores and puretone decibel thresholds.
VA Combined Rating Scenarios: Common Calculations
Click a scenario to instantly load these ratings into the calculator above.
Secondary VA Disability Conditions: What You Can Claim
Many conditions are compensable as secondary to existing primary service-connected disabilities.
2026 COLA pay table
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates by Rating
The VA increased compensation rates by 2.8% effective December 1, 2025 (2026 COLA). Rates below are for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% or higher. Dependents increase pay at 30% rating and above.
2026 VA disability compensation rates. Effective December 1, 2025.
Source: VA.gov.
| Rating Tier | Veteran Alone (Single) | Veteran with Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 |
Common questions
VA Combined Rating FAQ
Why don't my VA ratings add up to 100%? +
The VA does not use standard addition. Instead, ratings are combined using the whole person method. This means each rating reduces the remaining "healthy percentage" of your body. For example, if you have a 50% rating, you are considered 50% disabled and 50% healthy. A subsequent 30% rating is applied to the remaining 50% healthy portion (30% of 50 = 15%), bringing your combined total to 65%, which rounds to 70%.
What is VA math? +
VA Math is the system outlined in 38 CFR 4.25 to calculate combined disability ratings. The formula orders all ratings from highest to lowest, applying each rating percentage sequentially to what remains of the veteran's efficiency. The final calculated total is then rounded to the nearest 10% increment.
How is the VA combined rating calculated? +
To calculate the VA combined rating, sort all individual ratings from highest to lowest. Combine each rating with the current combined value using the VA combined ratings table method. The resulting combined value is then converted to the nearest 10% increment, and combined values ending in 5 round upward.
What is the bilateral factor? +
The bilateral factor is an additional 10% boost added when a veteran has compensable service-connected conditions affecting paired extremities or paired skeletal muscles. Qualifying bilateral ratings are combined first, then 10% of that combined value is added, and this adjusted bilateral value is then factored into the final calculation alongside non-bilateral ratings.
How much does 100% VA disability pay in 2026? +
Under the updated 2026 rates incorporating the 2.8% COLA adjustment, a veteran rated 100% disabled receives a base rate of $3,938.58 per month. If the veteran has a spouse and no dependent parents or children, the payment is $4,158.17 per month. Additional pay is available for children, dependent parents, and Aid & Attendance needs.