Calculating your VA disability rating using the VA Combined Rating Table (also known as CFR 4.25) involves several steps. The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), specifically Title 38, Part 4, contains the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. It outlines the criteria used by the VA to evaluate the severity of various disabilities and assign disability ratings.The VA uses a complex formula to combine individual disability ratings into a single, overall rating. Here's a general overview of the process: 

Assess Individual Disabilities: The first step is to determine the severity of each service-connected disability you have. Each disability is assigned a rating percentage ranging from 0 to 100, in increments of 10. This percentage reflects the severity of the disability as determined by the VA's Schedule of Rating Disabilities.

Combine Ratings: Once you have individual ratings for each disability, you'll use the VA Combined Rating Table to calculate your overall disability rating. This table takes into account the combined effect of multiple disabilities on your overall functioning. To do this, the VA uses a special formula that takes into account diminishing returns as disabilities accumulate. 

Consult the VA Combined Rating Table: The VA Combined Rating Table is a grid that allows you to cross-reference the ratings of your disabilities to find your combined disability rating. It's important to note that the combined rating is not simply the sum of the individual ratings; rather, it's calculated based on the overall impact of multiple disabilities.

Apply Special Rules: In some cases, the VA may apply special rules when combining ratings, particularly for certain types of disabilities or combinations of disabilities. These rules are outlined in the VA's regulations and may affect how your ratings are combined.

Round to Nearest Whole Number: Once you've calculated your combined disability rating, it's rounded to the nearest whole number. This is your final VA disability rating, expressed as a percentage.

It's important to note that calculating VA disability ratings can be complex, especially if you have multiple service-connected disabilities. If I asked you the answer to 30 + 20, you would quickly tell me 50. And you would be right in just about every instance. But for veterans with service-connected disability ratings, the math doesn’t always work out quite so easily. In fact, 30 + 20 might only equal 44, which rounds down to 40. Or it might equal 48.4, which rounds up to 50. This is the world of VA Math. Due to the complexity of this process it is highly advisable  to consult with a knowledgeable VA legal representative for assistance with the process. 

Veterans with a combined disability compensation rating of at least 30% are eligible for additional allowances for dependents, including:

• A spouse, including an additional benefit if the spouse is disabled and in need of Aid and Attendance

• Dependent parents

• Minor children

• Children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school

• Children who are permanently incapable of self-support because of a disability arising before age 18

• Unemployability: Veterans with severe disabilities preventing gainful employment might qualify for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits, receiving compensation equivalent to a 100% rating even if their official rating is lower.

Depending on these factors and your disability rating, you could expect to receive up to several thousand dollars in monthly disability compensation benefits.

Each condition is a percentage of the disability of a veteran. When they are combined together, each percentage is NOT the percentage of the entire veteran, but what is left after the percentages have been subtracted.

Your entire body is equal to 100%

You have three rated conditions:

• The first is a back injury rated at 30%

• The second is a knee injury rated at 20%

• The third is tinnitus rated at 10%

You would think that the combined rating would be 60%, right? 30+20+10%? That is not the case when using VA math.

First, start with the largest rating, the back injury rated at 30%. That rating is subtracted from 100%. Now, of your total body, 70% remains. So, now instead of subtracting 20 for the knee injury at 20%, you can only subtract 20% from the 70 that is remaining, which is 14 (0.2 x 70 = 14). Then subtract 70 – 14 = 56. Now, for the last 10% tinnitus related, disability you again only subtract 10% of what is left of the total body. At this point it is 56 (from the last step), so (0.1 x 56 = 5.6) 56 – 5.6 = 50.4. Therefore, the combined rating is 30% + 14% + 5.6% = 49.6% (which you would round to the nearest 10). So, 50% total disability.

Example #1: A veteran receives a 50% disability rating for their service-connected condition. They are married and have 2 dependent children under 18. As established earlier, the base monthly compensation for a 50% disability rating in 2024 is $1,051.40. According to the VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Rates chart, the additional monthly amount for a spouse with children at a 50% disability rating is $698.41. Each dependent child under 18 adds $72.00 to the monthly compensation. In this case, with 2 children, the additional amount is $72.00 x 2 = $144.00. Summing up the base compensation and additional amounts: $1,051.40 (base) + $698.41 (spouse) + $144.00 (children) = $1,893.81

Example #2: A veteran with a 60% disability rating is married and has 2 dependent children under 18. As mentioned earlier, the base monthly compensation for a 60% disability rating in 2024 is $1,347.52. Referring to the VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Rates chart, we find that the additional monthly amount for a spouse with children for a 60% disability rating is $824.16. Each dependent child under 18 adds $72.00 to the monthly compensation. In this case, with 2 children, the additional amount is $72.00 x 2 = $144.00. Summing up the base compensation and additional amounts: $1,347.52 (base) + $824.16 (spouse) + $144.00 (children) = $2,315.68

Example #3: Here's another example for a 70% disability rating with a spouse and two dependent children under 18. Based on 2024 rates, the base monthly compensation for a 70% disability rating is $1,643.64. Referring to the VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Rates chart, the additional amount for a spouse with children for a 70% disability rating is $824.16. Each dependent child under 18 adds $72.00 to the monthly compensation. With 2 children, the additional amount is $72.00 x 2 = $144.00. Summing up the base compensation and additional amounts: $1,643.64 (base) + $824.16 (spouse) + $144.00 (children) = $2,611.80