The Foundation: The “Whole Person” Theory
If you have ever tried adding up your VA disability ratings only to find the total percentage doesn’t match what the VA awarded you, you’ve encountered “VA Math.” This isn’t arbitrary; it’s a specific legal calculation.
The VA’s combined rating system is based on one core principle, known as the Whole Person Theory: a person is considered 100% efficient, and every disability rating is applied to the efficiency remaining after the most severe disabilities have been factored in.
Instead of adding disabilities directly (e.g., 60%+40%=100%), each new rating is applied to the remaining healthy portion of your “whole person.” This is why your combined total often appears lower than a simple addition.
The calculations are governed by the Combined Ratings Table (38 C.F.R. §4.25) in the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD).
How the VA Combines Ratings: Step-by-Step
The VA combines ratings sequentially, always starting with the highest individual rating:
- Start with the Highest Rating: Always begin with your single highest individual rating.
- Find the Remaining Portion: Subtract that rating from 100% to determine your non-disabled portion (your remaining efficiency).
- Apply the Next Rating: Multiply the next-highest rating by the remaining portion.
- Combine and Repeat: Add the result to the first rating, then repeat for additional disabilities, always working with the remaining percentage.
- Final Rounding: Round the final calculated result to the nearest 10%.
Individual Ratings Calculation Remaining Portion Combined Total
| Individual Ratings | Calculation | Remaining Portion | Combined Total |
| 1. 60% | (Start with 60%) | 100%−60%=40% | 60% |
| 2. 40% | 40% of 40% = 16% | 40%−16%=24% | 60%+16%=76% |
| 3. 20% | 20% of 24% = 4.8% | 24%−4.8%=19.2% | 76%+4.8%=80.8% |
| Final Result: | 80% (After rounding 80.8% to the nearest 10%) | ||
Strategy Insight: Because the highest ratings have the largest compounding effect, our primary focus is always on securing the highest possible individual rating for your most disabling condition. The difference between a 50% and a 70% individual rating can dramatically alter your final compensation.
Ready to ensure your sacrifice is correctly compensated?
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
The Crucial Rounding Rule
The rounding rule is one of the most critical legal thresholds in VA compensation, as it dictates the final payment level.
- Per VA regulation, any calculated percentage that is five or more (e.g., 85%, 86%, 89%) is rounded up to the next multiple of ten.
- Any percentage below five (e.g., 81%, 84%) is rounded down.
Final Rounding Strategy Insight: The rounding rule can mean the difference between getting paid at the 90% rate or the 100% rate. For example, if your calculated score is 94%, it rounds down to 90%. Adding just one 10% secondary claim might raise the calculated total to 95%, which is always rounded up to 100%.
Four Key Legal Strategies to Maximize Your Rating
While the math itself is fixed, four strategic factors can shift the compensation landscape in your favor.
- Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
What it is: TDIU allows veterans to receive 100% pay even if their schedular combined rating is below 100%, provided their service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment (38 C.F.R. §4.16).
Eligibility (Schedular): You must generally meet one of the following thresholds (or qualify via extra-schedular review):
- One disability rated at 60% or greater; OR
- Multiple disabilities that combine to at least 70% overall, with at least one condition rated at 40% or greater.
Impact: Reaches the maximum VA pay rate without a 100% schedular rating.
- Bilateral Factor
What it is: The VA legally acknowledges the increased functional difficulty when a condition affects both paired extremities (arms or legs). This is addressed under 38 C.F.R. §4.26.
Rule: If a veteran has compensable disabilities affecting both arms (upper extremities) or both legs (lower extremities), the ratings for those bilateral conditions are first combined using the regular VA math. Then, 10% of that combined value is ADDED (not combined) to create a single bilateral rating. This enhanced bilateral rating is then used in the overall combination process.
Bilateral Factor = Combined Bilateral Rating X 0.10
Example: Bilateral Factor Impact
- Right Knee (R-Knee) rated at 30%
- Left Knee (L-Knee) rated at 20%
- Combined Bilateral Rating: 30% + (20% of 70% remaining) = 44%
- Bilateral Factor Added: 44% times 0.10 = 4.4%
- New Bilateral Rating (48.4%): 44% + 4.4% = 48.4%, which rounds to 50% for the final calculation.
- Secondary Conditions
What it is: A secondary disability is a new or aggravated condition caused by an existing service-connected disability.
Example Strategy: A veteran with service-connected back pain develops an altered gait (limp), leading to chronic knee instability in the opposite leg. We establish the medical nexus between the back injury and the knee instability, making the knee condition compensable. Common successful secondary claims include migraines secondary to Tinnitus or GERD secondary to medications for pain.
- Temporary 100% Ratings
What it is: The VA grants temporary 100% ratings during specific periods of convalescence (recovery after major surgery) or following an extended hospital stay for a service-connected condition (38 C.F.R. §4.30).
Impact: This ensures veterans receive maximum compensation during periods of severe incapacitation.
Don’t Let VA Math Underrate Your Sacrifice
Understanding how the VA calculates your total rating is only half the battle. The key to maximizing compensation is rooted in legal strategy and comprehensive evidence:
- Securing the highest individual ratings first (which benefits most from the compounding effect).
- Documenting the medical nexus to file for all eligible secondary conditions.
- Leveraging the Bilateral Factor and TDIU provisions when applicable.
- Challenging inaccurate C&P exams with medically grounded private evidence.
At Outreach Legal, we ensure every disability is accurately presented to the VA to maximize your benefits.
Request a free, no-obligation VA case evaluation today. Our attorneys review evidence, challenge incorrect ratings, and ensure every factor (including TDIU, the Bilateral Factor, and secondary conditions) is applied correctly to maximize your compensation.
Contact us today for a FREE CASE EVALUATION!
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a VA-accredited attorney or representative for personalized advice tailored to your specific situation and claim.
