VA disability calculator · Rates effective Dec 1, 2025
See what your VA rating is worth each month
Tap each rating from your VA decision letter. We combine them the way VA does and show your monthly payment.
- Takes about a minute
- Includes the bilateral factor
- No sign-up to see results
Step 1 of 2
Add your ratings
Add each rating one at a time. If a rating is for an arm or a leg, pick which one first.
Tap the rating to add it
Your ratings (0)
No ratings yet. Tap a percentage above to add your first one.
Step 2 of 2
Your dependents
Dependents add to your payment once your combined rating is 30% or higher.
Are you married?
Children under 18
Biological, adopted or stepchildren
Children 18–23 in school
In a VA-approved school program
Dependent parents
Parents who rely on you financially (up to 2)
Why 50% + 30% isn't 80%
How VA math works
VA starts by treating you as 100% able. Each rating, from highest to lowest, applies only to the ability that remains. The result is rounded to the nearest 10, and a combined value ending in 5 rounds up.
When both arms or both legs are rated, VA combines those ratings first and adds 10% of that value. This is the bilateral factor, and it's one of the most commonly missed parts of the math.
The bilateral factor, rule by rule
VA's rule (38 C.F.R. § 4.26) has four parts. Here's how each one affects your numbers.
(a)A whole arm or a whole leg
No limb ratings"Arms" means the whole arm, including the forearm and hand. "Legs" means the whole leg, including the thigh and foot.
(b)Both arms and both legs
Not neededIf both arms and both legs are rated, VA combines all four limbs together and adds a single 10% factor.
(c)Both sides must be rated
Not neededThe factor only applies when each side of a pair, left and right, has a rating of 10% or more.
(d)The most favorable result
Not neededIf leaving a limb rating out of the bilateral group gives a higher result, VA must use that result.
Your numbers, step by step
| Rating | Ability remaining |
|---|---|
| Start | 100 able |
Combined value 0 rounds to VA rating
0%
Next step
Does your rating tell the whole story?
A low rating often comes down to paperwork: a secondary condition that was never claimed, an exam that missed your worst days, or a medical link to service that was never documented.
- We go through each of your ratings with you and talk through whether secondary conditions may be worth exploring.
- We explain your options in plain language: a claim for increase, a Supplemental Claim or a Higher-Level Review.
- Your first call is free. Our fees are explained on that call, before any paid work begins. No obligation.