VA Math · 38 CFR 4.25–4.26

VA Math: It calculates the percentage of you that is still able.

The laws for your disability rating are dense and confusing. We built this guide to make the math simple so you can clearly see what percent of you is still able.

ELI5 VA Math

VA Math tool

Type your ratings into the boxes below to see them appear on the body picture. The tool shows your ABLED and DISABLED percentages, with the exact math written out underneath.

ABLED100%
DISABLED0%
FINAL RATING0%
    Add rating 1

    Right*Left*Select a body areaHead / TBIEyesHearing (both ears together)NeckChest / breathing (respiratory)HeartAbdomen / digestionRight shoulder & armLeft shoulder & armRight elbow & forearmLeft elbow & forearmRight hand & wristLeft hand & wristRight hip & thighLeft hip & thighRight kneeLeft kneeRight ankle & footLeft ankle & footMental healthMentalhealthTinnitusTinnitusBack / spineBackSkinSkinOtherOther

    *This figure faces forward — right and left look flipped, like a mirror. Labels show the figure's own right and left: a doctor's view (anatomical position).

    Current Combined Rating: 0% · ABLED: 100%

    Raw Score: 0
    Rounds To:
    FINAL RATING: 0%

    Ratings entered

      This tool is an educational estimator that follows the VA's math rules under 38 CFR 4.25 and 4.26. It is not an official VA calculation, not a determination, and not a promise of any outcome.

      View the official VA compensation rate tables here

      Phase 1 — Simple combining

      VA math does not just add your ratings together.

      Phase 2 — Bilaterals

      Having disabilities in paired limbs, like both arms or both legs, makes things harder because you cannot rely on a healthy side.

      Phase 3 — SMC

      Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an extra level of help for when standard percentages are not enough.

      Phase 4 — P&T vs TDIU

      Reaching 100 on the table is not the only road to Permanent and Total (P&T) status.

      Protection timelines

      To help ease the worry of losing benefits, the system uses protection milestones.

      Re-rating triggers

      While protections help, certain events can put a rating back in play.

      The rules behind this page

      Read the specific laws driving these math rules below.

      Disclaimer

      DBQprep is an educational tool.