Introduction
The VA does not add your disability ratings together. A 50% rating and a 30% rating do not equal 80%. The VA uses "whole person" math instead, and that math confuses a lot of veterans. This VA Math Calculator handles the calculation for you.
Add each of your service-connected conditions and its rating. The calculator combines them the way the VA does, rounds to the nearest 10%, and shows your combined disability rating.2 It also applies the bilateral factor if you have rated conditions in both arms or both legs.3
Next, add your dependents. A spouse, children under 18, children in school ages 18 to 23, and dependent parents can raise your monthly check once your rating hits 30% or more.4 The calculator uses the VA compensation rates effective December 1, 2025.1 They include the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment Social Security set for 2025.5
You also get a full step-by-step breakdown. Every line of math is shown, so you can check the VA's numbers against your own. Charts show how much each condition adds to your rating and what you would earn at each rating level. If your disabilities keep you from working, the tool flags whether TDIU could pay you at the 100% rate.
How to use our VA Math Calculator
Enter each of your service-connected disability ratings, then add your dependents and your work status. The calculator shows your combined VA rating, your VA paid rating after rounding, your estimated monthly VA disability pay, and the step-by-step math behind it.
Condition: Pick the body part or health issue from the drop-down list, like PTSD, back, tinnitus, or right leg. Arm and leg picks may earn a bilateral factor bonus.
Custom condition name: If you choose "Other," type the name of your condition in the box so it shows up in your list.
Disability rating: Tap a percent button from 10% to 100%, or drag the slider, to set the rating VA gave that condition.
Add condition: Click this button to add the condition and rating to your list. Repeat for every rated condition you have.
Your disabilities: Check the list of chips. Click the X on a chip to remove one rating, or use Clear All to start over.
Marital status: Choose Single or Married. This only changes your pay if your combined rating is 30% or more.4
Spouse Aid & Attendance: If you are married, pick Yes when your spouse needs regular help with daily tasks like bathing or dressing. Pick No if not.
Children under 18: Choose how many children under age 18 you claim. Click "More than 5" if you have six or more.
Children ages 18–23 in school: Choose how many of your children ages 18 to 23 are enrolled in school, either full time or part time.4 Click "More than 5" for six or more.
Dependent parents: Pick None, One Parent, or Both Parents, based on how many parents depend on you.
Employability (TDIU): Pick Yes if your service-connected disabilities keep you from holding a steady job. The tool will flag if you may get paid at the 100% rate through TDIU.
Calculate and Reset: Click Calculate to see your combined rating, monthly pay, charts, and full math. Click Reset to clear your answers and start fresh.
What Is VA Math?
VA math is the way the VA adds up more than one disability rating. It does not use simple addition. If you have a 50% rating and a 20% rating, you do not get 70%. Instead, the VA uses the "whole person" rule. It starts with a healthy person at 100% and takes a bite out of what is left after each rating.
How the Whole Person Rule Works
The VA lines up your ratings from highest to lowest.2 The first rating is taken from the full 100%. A 50% rating leaves 50% of the person healthy. The next rating is only applied to that healthy part. So a 20% rating takes 20% of 50%, which is 10 points. That gives 60%.2 Each new rating adds fewer points than the one before it. This is why you can have many conditions and still land below 100%.
Rounding to the Nearest 10
Your combined number is almost never a clean 10. The VA rounds it once, at the end, to the nearest 10%, and a value ending in 5 rounds up.2 So 64% becomes 60%, and 65% becomes 70%.2 The rounded number is your official rating and it sets your monthly pay.
The Bilateral Factor
If you have rated conditions in both arms or both legs, you may get extra credit. This is called the bilateral factor. The VA combines the paired limbs first, then adds 10% of that result.3 That larger number is then combined with the rest of your conditions.3 If leaving one or more of those conditions out of the bilateral group gives a higher combined rating, the VA combines them separately instead.3 Losing use of both sides of your body hurts more than one side alone, so the VA pays more for it.
Dependents and Your Monthly Pay
Your rating sets your base monthly payment. Dependents can raise it, but only when your combined rating is 30% or higher.4 At 10% and 20%, everyone gets the same flat rate.1 Dependents that can add money include:
- A spouse
- A spouse who needs Aid & Attendance (regular help with daily tasks)
- Children under 18
- Children ages 18 to 23 enrolled in school
- Dependent parents
Because VA disability compensation is tax-free, it can go further than the same amount of wage income.
TDIU: Getting Paid at 100%
Some veterans cannot hold a steady job because of their service-connected conditions. If that is true for you, you may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability, or TDIU. TDIU pays at the 100% rate even if your combined rating is lower, such as 70%. You must apply and show the VA that your conditions keep you from steady work.
2026 VA Disability Rates
The pay amounts here use the VA compensation rates effective December 1, 2025.1 They include the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) Social Security set for 2025.5 Rates go up most years to keep pace with prices. Your real payment can differ if the VA has other adjustments on your file, such as special monthly compensation or a debt offset.