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Finance Calc Kit
Insurance

VA Disability

Calculate your combined VA disability rating and estimate your monthly compensation pay for 2026.

Disability condition ratings

Dependency details (30%+ ratings)

Combined rating

70%

Raw: 65.0%

Monthly compensation

$1,808.45

Tax-free (2026 rates)

VA math efficiency breakdown

Step 1: Apply 50% to remaining healthy efficiency (100.0%)

Disability contribution: +50.0% | Remaining healthy: 50.0%

Step 2: Apply 30% to remaining healthy efficiency (50.0%)

Disability contribution: +15.0% | Remaining healthy: 35.0%

Total raw disability65.0%
Rounded combined rating70%

Monthly pay breakdown

Base pay (veteran alone)$1,808.45
Total monthly compensation$1,808.45
Compensation Rate Notice (2026): Monthly payment amounts use VA disability compensation rates effective for 2026. The VA updates rates annually, typically with a cost-of-living adjustment. Combined ratings use the VA whole-person efficiency method and round to the nearest 10%. This estimate is for planning only and does not replace an official VA rating decision.
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How VA disability ratings and pay work

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns a disability rating from 0% to 100% for each service-connected condition. When you have more than one rating, the VA does not simply add percentages together. Instead, it uses the whole-person efficiency method (often called VA math) to calculate a combined rating, then rounds to the nearest 10%. Monthly compensation depends on that rounded rating and, for ratings of 30% or higher, on qualifying dependents. This calculator uses 2026 VA compensation rates.

Veterans comparing guaranteed income sources may also want to model retirement annuities with the annuity calculator or evaluate defined-benefit pension payouts with the pension calculator. For broader household budgeting around fixed monthly income, the 50/30/20 budget calculator can help allocate take-home pay across needs, wants, and savings.

VA combined rating math (efficiency method)

Start with 100% healthy efficiency. Sort individual ratings from highest to lowest. For each rating, apply it to the remaining healthy percentage, not the original 100%. Subtract each disability contribution from efficiency until you reach the final healthy remainder. The combined raw rating is 100% minus that remainder.

Contributioni=Remaining Efficiencyi−1×ri100\text{Contribution}_i = \text{Remaining Efficiency}_{i-1} \times \frac{r_i}{100}

After all conditions are applied, the raw combined rating is:

Raw Combined=100%−Final Remaining Efficiency\text{Raw Combined} = 100\% - \text{Final Remaining Efficiency}

The VA rounds the raw combined rating to the nearest 10%. Ratings ending in 5 or higher round up. For example, a 50% and 30% condition produce a 65% raw combined rating, which rounds to 70%.

Worked example: 50% and 30% conditions

  1. Apply 50% to 100% healthy efficiency: 50% disability, 50% healthy remains.
  2. Apply 30% to the remaining 50%: 15% additional disability, 35% healthy remains.
  3. Raw combined rating: 100% - 35% = 65%. Rounded combined rating: 70%.
  4. With no dependents, the 2026 monthly base rate for a 70% rating is $1,808.45 (tax-free).

Dependent additions (30% and above)

Ratings below 30% receive only the veteran-alone base rate. At 30% and above, the VA adds monthly amounts for a qualifying spouse, children under 18, children aged 18 to 23 in school, dependent parents (up to two), and an extra amount if a spouse requires Aid and Attendance. Each addition is a fixed dollar amount that varies by combined rating tier.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my combined rating not the sum of my conditions?
The VA assumes each new disability affects the remaining healthy portion of your body, not the full 100%. That is why two 50% conditions combine to 75%, not 100%.
Which compensation rates does this calculator use?
Monthly pay uses VA disability compensation rates for 2026. Rates are updated annually, often with a COLA adjustment. Verify current rates on VA.gov before filing or planning.
When do dependent pay additions apply?
Spouse, child, and parent additions apply only when your rounded combined rating is 30% or higher. Ratings of 10% or 20% pay the veteran-alone base amount only.
Is VA disability compensation taxable?
VA disability compensation is generally tax-free at the federal level and is not treated as earned income for most purposes. State tax treatment can vary.
Does this replace an official VA rating decision?
No. This tool estimates combined ratings and monthly pay for planning. Only an official VA rating decision letter determines your actual benefit amount.

Resources and references

The formulas and methods in this calculator were checked against these independent sources.