VA disability benefits are available to veterans who sustained serious injuries or permanent disabilities during their military service. When a veteran has multiple service-related disabilities, their VA disability ratings and benefits are determined with the use of a VA combined ratings chart. As of 2022, approximately 5.2 million U.S. veterans receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Understanding how the VA combined ratings chart works can help you ensure that your VA disability benefits are properly calculated. Read the article below to learn more about the VA combined ratings chart.
What Is A Combined Ratings Chart?
It is crucial to determine a veteran's disability rating in order to specify the amount of compensation they are entitled to. A combined ratings chart is a table constructed for this purpose.
The VA Combined Ratings Chart is based on a system of percentages, with each disability rated on a scale of 0-100%. The values in the left and top columns indicate the percentage of each of your disabilities. When combined, you will see the equivalent percentages in the mid-section of the chart.
Purpose Of The Combined Ratings Chart
The VA Combined Ratings Chart assigns a combined rating based on the highest single rating, plus any additional ratings, with a maximum combined rating of 100%. This helps determine the VA disability rating and the appropriate benefits a veteran may receive.
Overview Of The VA Disability Rating System
Veterans Affairs uses the VA Disability Rating System to assign service-related injuries numerical disability ratings, often expressed as percentages
Understanding The VA Disability Rating System
A disability rating is assigned based on the severity of your service-related injury. Ratings range from 0% to 100%, indicating the extent to which they impact your overall health and ability to function.
Categories Of Disabilities Covered By The VA And How They Are Rated
You can receive VA disability benefits if you suffered physical injuries or mental conditions as a result of military duty. The service-connected disabilities covered by the VA include:
- Diagnosed back impairments due to persistent, long-lasting back pain
- Breathing problems associated with lung diseases
- Severe loss of hearing
- Tinnitus
- Scars
- Limb or joint conditions that restrict range of motion
- Ulcers
- Cancers resulting from exposure to hazardous materials and toxic substances
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
The VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) categorizes disabilities based on the 15 human body systems (Musculoskeletal, Digestive, Cardiovascular, etc.). The complete Schedule for Rating Disability can be found in 38 CFR Part 4. Additionally, disabilities and medical conditions listed are rated based on severity: Moderate (10%), Moderately Severe (30%), Severe (60%), and Pronounced (100%).
Explaining Disability Percentages And How They Relate To Benefits
The disability percentage assigned to your medical condition or injury is considered proportionate to the benefits and compensation you may receive. Moreover, some veterans may be eligible for additional special monthly compensation (SMC) if they suffer from certain serious impairments or were given 70% to 100% VA disability ratings.
Understanding Service-Connected Disabilities And Their Impact On Benefits Eligibility
A disability is considered service-related if it was incurred or aggravated prior to, during, or after military service. To be eligible for VA disability benefits, the veteran must have a current service-connected disability or illness and have been discharged under honorable conditions.
Additional Considerations For Veterans With Dependent Children Or Hearing Loss
Veterans with a disability rating of at least 30% may receive additional compensation and supplemental health care benefits for eligible dependents, such as spouses, minor children, and children between 18 and 23 who are in school. Dependents of veterans who passed away due to their service-related disabilities are provided with Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Calculating Your Combined Rating Using A Ratings Table
Make sure your combined VA disability rating is correct before submitting a VA disability claim. Your combined rating affects the amount of compensation and benefits you receive.
Factors Used To Determine Your Combined Rating Score
Your combined rating score is calculated by combining the disability ratings of your service-related injuries and then subtracting them from your body’s 100% efficiency rate using the VA Math formula.
In some instances, the bilateral factor may also affect your combined rating score. For bilateral injuries, the VA combines the individual rates and adds 10% of the resulting amount to your total combined rate.
How To Find Your Combined Rating Score On The Ratings Table
Finding your combined rating score on the VA combined rating chart is similar to using a multiplication table.
The left column represents the percentage of your disability with the highest rating, while the top column indicates the rate of your other disability. The value where the left column rate intersects with the top column rate is your combined rating score.
For example, you had 2 service-related disabilities rated as 60% and 30%, respectively. Based on the table, your combined rating score is 70%, since the initial 72% would be rounded off to the nearest 10%
| 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | |
| 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 |
Conclusion
The VA Combined Ratings Chart is used to determine the combined disability rating for veterans with multiple service-connected disabilities. Being able to calculate your combined rating using the VA combined rating chart is essential to receiving the compensation you deserve.
If you require legal assistance with the filing of VA disability claims, read this article from Disability Help on the 6 best VA disability lawyers online. Do you need help in understanding VA Unemployability? Visit our page to learn more.
