Suppose you’re a Veteran pursuing VA disability compensation. In that case, you’ve likely encountered a number that can shape everything from your monthly payments to your access to vital healthcare services: your VA disability rating. But what exactly determines that rating, and what does it unlock for you?
At REE Medical, we help Veterans understand the often confusing formulas the VA uses to assign disability ratings. Knowing how the system works doesn’t just clarify where you stand — it can also show you how to move forward if your current rating doesn’t reflect the actual impact of your conditions.
How the VA Determines Your Disability Rating
VA disability ratings are expressed as a percentage, from 0% to 100%, in 10% increments. This percentage represents the VA’s estimate of how much a service-connected condition affects your daily ability to work and function.
Several key factors influence your rating:
1. Severity of Your Condition
The VA evaluates how much a service-connected disability impairs your physical or mental health and daily activities.
- A mild knee strain might receive a 10% rating
- A severe spinal injury affecting mobility could be rated at 60% or higher
Ratings are based on functional impact, not just diagnosis. Two veterans might have the same condition but receive different ratings depending on how the condition limits each person.
2. VA Diagnostic Codes
Every condition the VA evaluates is assigned a diagnostic code within the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). These codes describe how the VA calculates ratings for specific conditions.
For example:
- Diagnostic Code 5237 covers lumbar strain (lower back pain)
- Diagnostic Code 9411 refers to PTSD
Each code includes criteria that spell out what symptoms or limitations must be present for specific rating levels. A claim is rated higher when it matches more severe criteria within the diagnostic code.
3. Medical Evidence
The VA relies heavily on medical documentation to assign ratings. This includes:
- Treatment records
- Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
- VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam results
- Statements from treating physicians
The more comprehensive and specific your evidence, especially regarding functional impact, the more likely you are to receive an accurate rating.
What Happens When You Have More Than One Disability?
Many Veterans have multiple service-connected conditions. This introduces the VA Combined Ratings Table, which does not simply add percentages together.
Understanding the Combined Ratings Formula
The VA uses a process that calculates the efficiency of the whole person.
Here’s how it works:
- The VA considers the highest-rated disability first.
- Then it applies additional disabilities sequentially by reducing the efficiency of what remains.
For example:
- You have a 50% rating for PTSD.
- Then, you’re awarded a 30% rating for a knee condition.
The second condition applies to the remaining 50% of your overall capacity (100% – 50%).
- 30% of 50% = 15%
- 50% + 15% = 65% → Rounded to 70%
This is why even small increases in individual ratings can significantly impact your combined total.
Additional Factors That Can Boost Your Rating
1. Secondary Service-Connected Conditions
These are conditions that develop as a result of a primary service-connected disability.
Example:
- Chronic pain (primary) leads to depression (secondary)
- A back injury causes nerve damage in the leg
Secondary conditions are eligible for their own diagnostic codes and ratings, which can boost your overall rating.
2. Unemployability – TDIU
If your service-connected conditions prevent you from working, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), even if your combined rating is less than 100%.
TDIU allows the VA to pay you at the 100% disability rate if:
- You have one disability rated at 60%, or
- Multiple disabilities with a combined rating of 70%, including one rated at 40%, and
- You are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment
What Benefits Come With Higher VA Ratings?
Your VA rating isn’t just a number — it determines access to essential resources. Here’s a breakdown of common benefits at various rating thresholds:
At 0% (Non-compensable)
- Acknowledgment of service connection
- Access to some VA healthcare and priority group enrollment
- Potential eligibility for future increases if the condition worsens
At 10–20%
- Monthly compensation (starting at ~$171.23 for 10% in 2025)
- Access to VA healthcare and some ancillary benefits
At 30–60%
- Increased monthly compensation for dependents (spouse, children)
- Eligibility for more robust healthcare services and programs
- Priority access to VA medical facilities
- Possible tax exemptions on property (varies by state)
At 70% and above
- Qualification for TDIU if unemployable
- Eligibility for the VA Caregiver Program
- Access to mental health residential treatment programs
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services
At 100%
- Full monthly compensation (over $3,700 for a single veteran in 2025)
- CHAMPVA health benefits for dependents
- Commissary and exchange privileges
- Dental care coverage
- Access to VA housing grants and home adaptation assistance
- Enhanced educational benefits for dependents (e.g., Chapter 35)
What If Your Rating Seems Too Low?
If your current rating doesn’t reflect the full extent of your disability, you have options:
- File for an increase if your condition has worsened
- File a secondary claim for related conditions
- Appeal the decision within the required time frame
- Get a DBQ completed by a private medical provider who understands VA rating criteria
Many Veterans don’t realize that documentation quality can make all the difference. This is where working with experienced professionals, like those at REE Medical, can give your claim the clarity and evidence it needs to succeed.
Final Thoughts: Know the Math, Know Your Options
The VA rating system is complicated, but it’s not random. Your rating is based on measurable evidence, structured formulas, and defined criteria. Understanding how diagnostic codes, combined ratings, and secondary conditions work empowers you to take control of your benefits.
If you believe your current rating doesn’t reflect the reality of your health — or if you’re unsure where to start—REE Medical can help. In your free consultation, we’ll break down how the VA determines ratings and provide real answers about where you stand and what next steps you can take.
What to Do Next:
- Review your current rating and conditions
- Gather any recent medical records or diagnoses
- Learn how secondary conditions may apply to you
- Consider whether your symptoms have worsened
- Request professional help with DBQs or evidence prep
Understanding the math behind your rating can help you decide your next move — start here. Contact REE Medical today to learn how we can support your claim and help you get the benefits you’ve earned.
