The “Whole Person” Theory: The Foundation of VA Math
The most confusing part of a VA disability claim for many veterans is how multiple ratings are combined. The VA doesn’t simply add percentages together. Instead, they use a formula based on the “whole person” theory. Imagine a veteran is 100% “whole” or “efficient.” A 50% disability rating means they are 50% disabled and 50% efficient. The next rating is then calculated against the remaining 50% efficiency, not the original 100%.
The VA Combined Rating Formula, Step-by-Step
The process involves ordering your disability ratings from highest to lowest and applying them sequentially.
- Start with 100 points (representing 100% efficiency).
- Take your highest rating, convert it to a decimal, and multiply it by 100. Subtract this from 100.
- Take your second-highest rating, convert it to a decimal, and multiply it by the result from step 2. Subtract this new number from the result of step 2.
- Repeat for all disabilities.
- Round the final number to the nearest multiple of 10 to get your combined disability rating.
Of course, the easiest way is to use a tool. Our 2025 VA Disability Calculator does all the work for you.
Example 1: Combining Two Disability Ratings (e.g., 50% and 30%)
Let’s use the formula:
- Highest Rating: 50% for PTSD.
- Second Rating: 30% for a back condition.
Step 1: Start with the 50% rating. The veteran is considered 50% disabled, leaving 50% “healthy.”
Step 2: Calculate the second rating against the remaining 50%. Take 30% of 50, which is 15.
Step 3: Add this new value (15) to the original highest rating (50). 50 + 15 = 65.
Step 4: Round to the nearest 10. 65 rounds up to a 70% combined rating.
Example 2: Combining Three or More Ratings
Let’s add a 20% rating for a knee condition to the example above.
- We already know the 50% and 30% ratings combine to 65. This leaves the veteran 35% “healthy” (100 – 65 = 35).
- Now, calculate the 20% rating against the remaining 35%. 20% of 35 is 7.
- Add this new value (7) to the previous combined value (65). 65 + 7 = 72.
- Round to the nearest 10. 72 rounds down to a 70% combined rating.
As you can see, it takes many ratings to reach 100%. To learn more, visit our guide VA Combined Ratings Explained.
Don’t Forget the Bilateral Factor: A Way to Boost Your Rating
If you have disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles, the VA applies a “bilateral factor.” This adds an extra 10% of the combined value of the bilateral disabilities to your overall rating before rounding, which can often push you into the next highest pay grade.
FAQ: VA Combined Ratings
How are secondary VA ratings calculated?
Secondary ratings are treated the same as any other rating in the combined rating formula. They are ordered from highest to lowest along with your other service-connected disabilities.
Does the VA round up or down?
The VA rounds to the nearest 10. A combined value of 64 would round down to 60%, while a value of 65 would round up to 70%.
Where can I find a combined rating table?
While tables exist, they can be cumbersome. The most effective way to see how multiple disabilities combine is to use a digital tool. We encourage you to try our strategies for maximizing your rating and our calculator.