Calculation Methodology

VA disability evaluations are not additive. Under Title 38, Section 4.25 of the Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR 4.25), the VA uses the "Whole Person Method" to calculate combined disability ratings. This page explains the math, order of operations, and rounding rules used in our calculator.

1. The Whole Person Method

The underlying philosophy is that a veteran starts with a body that is 100% efficient. Each disability rating consumes a percentage of the remaining efficiency, not the starting 100%. To combine multiple ratings:

1. Sort Ratings: Arrange all individual disability ratings in descending order (highest percentage first).
2. Apply Sequentially: Multiply the highest rating percentage by the remaining body efficiency, deduct that value from the remainder, and repeat the process for all subsequent ratings.

2. The Bilateral Factor Boost

If a veteran has service-connected disabilities affecting paired extremities (both legs, both arms, or joints on opposite sides), they qualify for a Bilateral Factor. This represents a 10% addition:

• Isolate Bilateral Ratings: All ratings qualifying for the bilateral factor are combined first using the Whole Person Method.
• Add 10% Boost: 10% of that combined bilateral rating value is calculated and added directly to the combined bilateral evaluation.
• Combine with Non-Bilateral Ratings: This final bilateral evaluation (before rounding) is then combined with any remaining non-bilateral ratings in descending order.

3. Rounding Rules

The final combined percentage is rounded to the nearest 10% increment:

• Percentages ending in **5.00% or greater** are rounded UP to the next 10% (e.g., 65% rounds to 70%, 95% rounds to 100%).
• Percentages ending in **4.99% or lower** are rounded DOWN to the next 10% (e.g., 64.9% rounds to 60%).