Your VA disability rating determines how much monthly compensation you receive — and it affects your eligibility for healthcare, education benefits, and more. Yet most veterans don't fully understand how the system works, which means they often accept ratings lower than they deserve.
This guide breaks down exactly how VA disability ratings are calculated, why they change, and what you can do to ensure your rating accurately reflects your condition.
What Is a VA Disability Rating?
A VA disability rating is a percentage from 0% to 100% (in increments of 10%) that represents how much your service-connected condition affects your ability to function. The higher the rating, the more compensation you receive.
As of 2026, here's what the monthly compensation looks like for a single veteran with no dependents:
- 10% — $171.23/month
- 30% — $524.31/month
- 50% — $1,075.16/month
- 70% — $1,716.28/month
- 100% — $3,737.85/month
For veterans with dependents, the amounts are higher at 30% and above.
How the VA Calculates Your Rating
The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) — a detailed chart that maps specific symptoms and functional limitations to percentage ratings for each condition.
Single Condition Ratings
Each condition is rated independently based on the specific rating criteria. For example, PTSD is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders:
- 0% — Diagnosed but symptoms are not severe enough to require continuous medication or interfere with work
- 10% — Mild symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress
- 30% — Occasional decrease in work efficiency with periods of inability to perform tasks
- 50% — Reduced reliability and productivity, difficulty maintaining relationships
- 70% — Deficiencies in most areas: work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood
- 100% — Total occupational and social impairment
Combined Ratings (VA Math)
If you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA doesn't simply add them together. Instead, they use "VA math" — a formula that combines ratings using your remaining "whole person" percentage.
Example: If you have a 70% rating for PTSD and a 30% rating for tinnitus:
- Start with the higher rating: 70% disabled = 30% "whole"
- Apply the second rating to the remaining whole: 30% of 30% = 9%
- Combined: 70% + 9% = 79%
- Rounded to nearest 10: 80% combined rating
This is why getting each individual condition rated accurately matters — it affects your entire combined rating.
Why VA Ratings Change
Your VA disability rating isn't necessarily permanent. The VA can schedule re-examinations to check if your condition has improved, worsened, or stabilized. Here are the key scenarios:
- Routine re-exams — The VA may schedule a re-evaluation 2–5 years after your initial rating, especially for conditions expected to improve
- Rating reductions — If a re-exam shows improvement, the VA can propose a rating reduction. You'll receive a letter with 60 days to respond
- Protected ratings — Ratings held for 5+ years can only be reduced with sustained improvement. Ratings held for 20+ years are permanent
- Rating increases — If your condition worsens, you can file a claim for an increased disability rating at any time
How to Protect Your Rating
The best way to protect your VA disability rating is to document your condition consistently. Here's how:
- Continue treatment — Regular medical appointments create a paper trail showing your condition is ongoing
- Keep a symptom log — Daily tracking of pain levels, mental health episodes, and functional limitations provides concrete evidence of severity
- Attend re-exams — Skipping a scheduled re-exam can result in your benefits being suspended. Show up and be honest about your worst days
- File for increases when warranted — If your condition gets worse, don't wait. File a claim for an increased rating with supporting evidence
Common Rating Mistakes Veterans Make
- Underreporting symptoms at C&P exams — Many veterans say "I'm managing" when they're actually struggling significantly. Report your worst days, not your best
- Not claiming secondary conditions — Conditions caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability (like sleep apnea secondary to PTSD) can significantly increase your combined rating
- Accepting the first rating without review — If your rating doesn't match your actual symptom severity, you have the right to appeal
- Not keeping medical records organized — Scattered evidence makes it harder for the VA to rate you accurately
How ValorClaims Helps You Track and Maximize Your Rating
ValorClaims is built to help veterans build the strongest possible case for an accurate disability rating:
- Symptom Tracker — Log symptoms daily, tied to specific conditions, creating an evidence diary that shows severity over time
- Document Organizer — Keep all your medical records, service records, and buddy letters in one searchable, encrypted location
- Claim Timeline — Track every filing date, C&P exam, and decision so you never miss a deadline
- Statement Builder — Write a compelling personal statement that speaks directly to the VA's rating criteria
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Disclaimer: ValorClaims is an evidence organization tool, not legal advice. Compensation rates are approximate and change annually. Verify current rates at va.gov.