2026 VA Disability Calculator

  1. Select Disability & use slider for % and click 'Add'. Repeat as needed
  2. Select applicable options
    for family status
  3. View Your Results
    (Combined % & Monthly Pay)

Disabilities

0%

What percentage is your disability rated at now, or what level would you like to achieve?

    Family

    *in a qualifying school program

    How This VA Disability Calculator Works

    This calculator estimates your combined VA disability rating using the same rules the VA applies for multiple service-connected conditions.

    • VA Combined Ratings (“VA math”): Ratings aren’t added normally. Each condition is applied to the remaining “healthy” percentage, which is why 50% + 50% ≠ 100%.
    • Rounding Rules: Final combined VA ratings are rounded to the nearest 10% (84% → 80%, 85% → 90%).
    • Bilateral Factor: Conditions affecting both sides of the body (arms, legs, etc.) may receive a small additional boost.
    • Dependents: Dependents don’t change your VA rating percentage, but they can increase monthly pay at certain levels.
    • VA Disability Rates: Compensation estimates are based on current VA disability rates.

    Understanding Your Combined VA Rating

    Your combined VA disability rating determines your monthly compensation and eligibility for many additional VA benefits. If your result feels lower than expected, that’s common—and it doesn’t necessarily mean the VA made a mistake.

    VA disability ratings are designed to measure the overall impact of multiple service-connected conditions on your ability to function, not to add percentages together using normal math. Because of this, combined VA ratings often look different than veterans initially expect.

    You’ll notice that VA disability ratings are assigned in fixed 10% increments, from 0% to 100%. As your VA rating increases, your monthly compensation and eligibility for additional benefits increase as well.

    For example, a 10% VA rating provides a relatively small monthly payment, while a 100% VA rating qualifies for significantly higher tax-free compensation, along with expanded benefits.

    Why VA Ratings Often Surprise Veterans

    Many veterans are surprised by their combined VA rating for reasons such as:

    • VA percentages don’t add together using normal math
    • The VA applies diminishing impact as ratings increase
    • Bilateral conditions can affect results in specific situations
    • Lower-rated conditions contribute less to the final combined VA rating
    • Final VA ratings are rounded to the nearest 10%

    These rules are part of how the VA standardizes disability compensation across millions of claims.

    Want to See How Your VA Rating Translates to Pay?

    Your combined VA rating directly corresponds to a monthly, tax-free VA disability compensation amount set by law.

    Click HERE to see the 2026 VA Disability Pay Rates.

    How Veterans Reach a 100% VA Disability Rating

    There are three primary ways veterans may qualify for 100% VA disability benefits:

    • Your Combined VA rating rounds to 100%: If your combined VA rating reaches 95% or higher, the VA rounds it up to 100%.
    • A single condition is rated at 100%: Some service-connected conditions qualify for a 100% VA rating on their own, regardless of other disabilities.
    • Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): Veterans whose service-connected conditions prevent substantially gainful employment may receive the pay and benefits of a 100% VA rating—even if their combined VA rating is lower.

    Each path depends on medical evidence, severity, and how your conditions affect daily life and work.

    Learn more about 100% VA disability benefits

    Many Veterans Are Underrated by the VA

    Many veterans have a VA rating that doesn’t fully reflect the severity of their service-connected conditions. This often happens due to missing evidence, overlooked secondary conditions, conditions worsening over time, or how VA rating rules are applied.

    If you believe your VA rating may be too low, speaking with an expert can help you understand your options and next steps.

    Book a VA Claim Discovery Call

    Want to know more about how your rate is calculated?

    Check out these great resources

    VA Disability Payment Schedule 2026

    2026 VA Disability Payment Schedule

    July 9, 2025

    Wondering when your 2026 VA disability payment will hit your bank account? Here’s the deal fellow veterans: VA disability compensation for a given month is paid on the first business day of the... continue reading

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    None of our employees are accredited agents, VSOs, attorneys, or entities recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any state's Department of Veterans Affairs, and none of our employees will assist you with the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for VA disability benefits. Before engaging with us, we strongly encourage you to discuss your disability claims matter with an accredited VSO, accredited attorney, or accredited claims agent, at www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp, all of whom are free to use. You are not required to use our website or services to submit a claim for VA disability benefits. You may receive a positive VA disability claim outcome without using our paid services. Furthermore, your use of our paid services does not and cannot affect the speed at which the VA processes your disability claims, as processing times are determined solely by the VA. VA CLAIMS INSIDER, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES DO NOT GUARANTEE ANY SPECIFIC OUTCOMES OR RESULTS BY YOUR USE OF ITS WEBSITE OR SERVICES AND YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY FROM THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN OUR ADVERTISEMENTS AND, ON THIS WEBSITE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUCCESS PERCENTAGES, DISABILITY RATING INCREASES, AND PROCESSING TIMELINES ARE HISTORICAL AVERAGES ONLY, ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE RESULTS, AND ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY ONE CLAIM. SUCH INFORMATION VARIES OVER TIME, AND WE MAKE NO OBLIGATION TO KEEP SUCH INFORMATION CURRENT. The VA Claims Insider® name and logo are registered trademarks of VA Claims Insider, LLC.