VA Disability Compensation Estimator
Calculate your combined VA disability rating using real VA math, estimate monthly compensation with dependents, and understand how bilateral factor and special monthly compensation work.
Your Service-Connected Conditions
Check “Bilateral” for conditions affecting both sides of the body (e.g., both knees, both ears). The VA adds a 10% bonus to bilateral conditions before combining with other ratings.
Dependent Status
Veterans rated 30% or higher receive additional compensation for dependents.
Combined VA Disability Rating
10%
Exact combined: 10.00% (rounded to nearest 10%)
Monthly (tax-free)
$180.42
Annual (tax-free)
$2,165
Dependent Additions
N/A (under 30%)
How VA Math Works: Step-by-Step Breakdown
The VA does not simply add ratings together. Instead, each rating is applied to the remaining healthy percentage. The highest rating is applied first, then each subsequent rating reduces what remains.
| Step | Condition | Rating | Remaining Healthy | Combined So Far |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Full health | — | 100% | 0% |
| 1 | Tinnitus | 10.0% | 90.0% | 10.0% |
| Final Combined Rating | 10.00% | 10% | ||
Example of VA Math:
If you have a 70% and a 30% rating, the VA does not add them to get 100%. Instead: start at 100% healthy. Apply 70% = 30% remaining. Apply 30% of that 30% remaining = 9%. So combined = 79%, which rounds to 80%.
Important Things to Know
Tax-Free Benefit
VA disability compensation is 100% tax-free at both the federal and state level. It does not count as income for tax purposes and does not need to be reported on your tax return.
10-Year Protection Rule
Once a disability rating has been in effect for 10 or more years, the VA cannot reduce it unless there is evidence of fraud. After 20 years, the rating becomes permanent and cannot be reduced at all. This is known as the “protected rating” rule under 38 CFR 3.951.
100% Schedular vs. TDIU
If your combined rating does not reach 100% but your disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which pays at the 100% rate.
Additional Benefits at Key Ratings
- 30%+: Dependent pay, VA healthcare priority group 1-3
- 50%+: CRDP eligibility (concurrent retired pay + VA comp)
- 70%+: Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) eligibility priority
- 100%: CHAMPVA for dependents, property tax exemptions in many states, DEA (Chapter 35) for dependents
Compare your estimate with the official VA calculator:
VA Disability Compensation Rates