VA Disability Rating & Compensation Calculator
Built strictly on 38 CFR § 4.25 and § 4.26 ("VA Math"). Fully audited to ensure 100% mathematical defensibility: includes exact Table I sequential compounding, single-pool 4-extremity bilateral factor boost, the 2023 Bilateral Trap exception (88 FR 22917), and official 2026 tax-free monthly compensation rates.
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Top Service-Connected Conditions➕ Add Disability Condition
*Paired extremities (both arms or both legs) automatically trigger the 38 CFR § 4.26 Bilateral Factor (+10% boost). Tinnitus, spine, and eyes are non-bilateral by statute.
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👨👩👧👦 Family & Dependent Status (2026 Compensation)
By law (38 U.S.C. § 1115), additional compensation for dependents is paid only to veterans rated at 30% or higher. Ratings of 10% and 20% are fixed veteran-alone rates.
Statutory Rounding: 0.5 and higher rounds up to nearest 10% (38 CFR § 4.25)
📐 "Show Your Math" Audit Trail (38 CFR Proof) Line-by-Line
How "VA Math" Actually Works
Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs all combined disability evaluations. Understanding the statutory mechanics protects you from common misconceptions and errors.
1. The Whole Person Concept
Under 38 CFR § 4.25, every human begins with 100% whole-person efficiency. Disabilities are not added arithmetically ($50\% + 30\% \ne 80\%$). Each disability operates only on the remaining unimpaired efficiency. A 50% rating leaves 50% efficiency. A subsequent 30% rating takes 30% of the remaining 50% (15%), resulting in 65% total impairment.
2. The 38 CFR § 4.26 Bilateral Factor
When conditions affect paired extremities (both arms or both legs), the individual conditions are combined first under § 4.25. An additional 10% of that sub-total is added, rounded to the nearest integer, and then combined with non-bilateral conditions. All 4 extremities combine into a single bilateral pool under § 4.26(b).
3. The 2023 "Bilateral Trap" Rule
Under a historic VA rule amendment enacted April 14, 2023 (88 FR 22917, 38 CFR § 4.26(d)), if adding the bilateral factor results in a lower final rating than omitting it, the VA must omit the bilateral factor to award the veteran the highest favorable rating. Our calculator automatically applies this protection.
Why Most Free Online Calculators Underpay Veterans
Federal law (38 CFR § 4.25) explicitly mandates that disability evaluations be combined sequentially using the discrete integers found in Table I (Combined Ratings Table).
Amateur calculators often rely on a naive continuous floating-point formula ($\prod(1 - r_i/100)$). Across hundreds of combinations, continuous float math fails to round intermediate steps, deflating numbers right at the 0.5 boundary and shortchanging veterans by a full 10% monthly compensation (e.g. Right Knee 10% + Left Knee 10% + Migraines 30% awards 50% under statutory law, but only 40% under continuous float!).
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