Understanding VA Disability Ratings: A Comprehensive Overview
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) entitles Veterans to tax-free disability compensation, as well as healthcare services, for service-connected injuries or illnesses. The VA calculates the appropriate compensation using the VA disability rating system, which rates the severity of the Veteran’s conditions.
By familiarizing themselves with the intricacies of the rating system and its criteria, Veterans can navigate the claims process more adeptly, ensuring they receive the rightful benefits owed to them for their service.
What is a VA Disability Rating?
A VA disability rating reflects the severity of a Veteran's service-connected disability and is expressed as a percentage.[1] This rating represents how much the disability affects the Veteran's overall health and ability to function. The higher the rating, the more compensation the Veteran may receive.
Factors Considered in Determining Disability Ratings:
The VA considers various factors when assigning disability ratings:
Evidence Provided: This includes medical reports, test results, and documentation submitted by the Veteran.
VA Claim Exam: If deemed necessary, the VA conducts a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate the Veteran's condition.
Other Information: The VA may gather additional information from various sources, including federal agencies.
Calculating Combined Disability Ratings
When a Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA calculates a combined disability rating. This involves more than simply adding individual ratings, as the total rating cannot exceed 100%. Here's how it's done:
Ordering Disabilities: The VA ranks disabilities from highest to lowest percentage.
Using the Combined Ratings Table: A table is used to calculate the combined rating based on the highest and next highest ratings.
Rounding: The combined value is rounded to the nearest 10% to determine the combined disability rating.
Handling Additional Disabilities: If the Veteran has more than two disabilities, the process is repeated for each additional disability until all ratings are considered.
Impact of Disability Ratings
Disability ratings not only determine the amount of monthly compensation a Veteran receives, but also affect eligibility for other benefits, such as VA healthcare. Additionally, ratings for pre-existing conditions aggravated by military service are adjusted based on the level of aggravation caused by service.
VA Accredited Guidance
Understanding VA disability ratings is essential for Veterans seeking compensation for service-connected disabilities, and their eligibility for VA benefits, including healthcare. For assistance, contact our VA Accredited Attorney to schedule an appointment.
[1] About VA Disability Ratings, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (October 20, 2022), https://www.va.gov/disability/about-disability-ratings/
