VA Math Isn’t Real Math—Here’s What You Need to Know
Why your ratings don’t add up, and how to fight for the percentage you actually earned.
How the VA’s “combined ratings” system undercounts your disability—and what you can do about it.
They tell you 50% + 50% = 100%. In the real world, that’s true. In the VA system? Not even close.
This is the math they don’t explain when you file a claim. The math that leads veterans to believe they’re more compensated than they are. And the math that can cost you thousands in lost benefits if you don’t know how to check it.
Let’s break it down.
What Is VA Math?
When the VA calculates your combined disability rating, it doesn’t just add percentages together. Instead, it uses a formula based on what the VA calls your “efficiency”—how much of your body is still functioning.
Let’s say you’re rated at 50% for PTSD. That means the VA sees you as 50% disabled, and 50% efficient. Now you get another 50% for your knee. The VA applies that 50% to the remaining 50% of you.
So: 50% + (50% of 50%) = 75%, not 100%. That’s how VA math works.
The final combined rating is rounded to the nearest 10% according to 38 CFR § 4.25 – Combined Ratings Table, so 75% becomes 80%.
Why It Matters
· It affects your monthly compensation
· It affects whether you qualify for TDIU, SMC, or caregiver support
· It can impact your healthcare, retirement decisions, and survivor benefits
Example: You might assume 70% + 40% = 110% = automatic 100%. But the VA only sees it as 82%, which rounds down to 80%.
Real-World Example
· 50% for PTSD
· 30% for migraines
· 20% for a knee condition
· 10% for tinnitus
They assumed they were close to 100%. The VA had them at 80%. They thought it was a mistake. It wasn’t. It was VA math.
Why 90% Is a Cliff, Not a Step
Getting from 90% to 100% is one of the hardest jumps in the VA system. Here’s why:
· 90% + 10% = 91% → still rounds to 90%
· 90% + 30% = 93% → still rounds to 90%
You usually need:
· A new rating of 70% or higher
· A combination of new ratings totaling 50–60%
· Or approval for TDIU (if your disabilities prevent work)
You can try it yourself with these calculators:
· VA.gov Disability Calculator
· Hill & Ponton Calculator (includes bilateral factor)
What You Can Do
1. Use a VA Math Calculator: There are free calculators online:
2. Know the Order of Operations: Higher percentages are calculated first. So 70% before 40%, etc.
3. Check for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): If your disabilities involve loss of use, need for aid and attendance, or affect paired limbs (like both legs), SMC may apply.
4. Understand Bilateral Factor Rules: Two disabilities affecting both arms or both legs often qualify for a slight ratings boost under the bilateral factor.
5. Get Help from Someone Who’s Been There: Forums like HadIt.com Veterans or accredited reps can help you run the numbers.
Final Thought
VA math wasn’t designed to be fair. It was designed to limit payouts.
But when you understand it, you can fight smarter.
So check your numbers. Double-check your ratings. And don’t stop until the system counts every inch of what you’ve given.
Still here. Still fighting.
—Tbird