VA Combined Rating Calculator
Enter each service-connected condition’s individual rating. The calculator combines them with the VA “efficiency” formula and applies the bilateral factor automatically where paired body parts are involved.
Enter each service-connected condition's individual rating. Mark the box if it affects a paired body part (both arms, both legs, or paired muscles) — that triggers the 38 CFR § 4.26 bilateral factor. Mental health, spine and internal-organ conditions are not bilateral.
Estimated combined rating
How the math works
The VA does not add your ratings. It starts at 100% “efficiency” and subtracts each disability’s remaining efficiency, highest first (38 CFR § 4.25). Two 50% ratings combine to 75%, not 100%. A 70% + 50% + 30% + 10% only reaches about 90%. That is why most veterans never hit a schedular 100% from adding ratings alone.
The bilateral factor (§ 4.26) applies when compensable ratings affect both sides of paired body parts (both knees, both shoulders, etc.). Those bilateral ratings are combined, then 10% of that combined value is added before combining with everything else. Mental health, spine, and internal-organ conditions are not bilateral.
Only the final number is rounded to the nearest 10% (with .5 and above rounding up). A 74% combined value still pays at 70%; 75% rounds to 80% — which is why each point near a bracket edge matters.
Estimate your compensation
Take your combined rating and see the 2026 tax-free monthly payment.
Open →Full worked examples
The bilateral-factor step, rounding traps, and TDIU.
Read →Source & verification
- 38 CFR § 4.25 (combined ratings) and § 4.26 (bilateral factor).
- Retrieved and verified: 2026-08-23. The official combined rating is on your VA decision letter.