The VA employs a specific method to produce a combined disability rating for veterans with multiple service-connected conditions.
Summary
- The VA assigns disability ratings from 0 to 100% in 10% increments, which dictates benefits.
- The Whole Person Theory ensures a veteran’s total condition doesn’t exceed the 100% disability threshold.
- The Decreasing Efficiency Method used in calculating combined disability rating starts at 100% efficiency, reducing it based on each condition’s severity.
- The Combined Rating Table helps simplify the calculation of combined disability ratings.
- Schedular ratings or Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) can help veterans achieve 100% disability.
- TDIU grants 100% benefits if disabilities hinder substantial employment, even if individual ratings don’t total 100%.
- Veterans can appeal VA decisions within a year if they believe their disability rating is inaccurate.
Veterans who endure service-related injuries or illnesses deserve recognition and support through VA disability benefits. However, navigating this process demands a clear understanding of how to effectively file a VA claim accompanied by robust evidence.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates all submitted documentation to establish a service connection and assigns a disability rating, ranging from 0 to 100% in 10% increments. This rating determines the extent of benefits a veteran receives.
One particularly confusing aspect of the VA rating system for many veterans is deciphering the VA’s method of combining and calculating these ratings. The process can often lead to confusion and uncertainty.
However, our veteran disability appeals attorneys can provide you with essential insights and guidance. By understanding the VA’s approach to calculating combined disability ratings, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions regarding your disability claims, ensuring you receive the benefits you rightly deserve.
Call (850) 332-6434 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
Understanding the VA Disability Rating System
A VA disability rating is typically a percentage that represents how a service-related condition impacts a veteran’s ability to function in daily life. This rating serves as a key determinant for the level of VA benefits a veteran can receive.
The VA’s evaluation process examines how each disability affects a veteran’s capacity to perform everyday tasks. For those with multiple service-connected conditions, the VA calculates a combined disability rating.
This combined rating is not merely the sum of individual disability ratings; instead, it incorporates both primary and secondary conditions to offer a comprehensive assessment. This nuanced calculation influences the monthly compensation a veteran is eligible for and their access to additional VA disability benefits.
What is VA Math?
When the VA assigns a rating for a single physical or mental health condition, it reflects only that specific impairment. However, most veterans face multiple service-related conditions, leading to what’s known as a “combined” rating.
A common misunderstanding is that these VA disability ratings are simply added together to reach a total, but the VA employs a more complex approach using a combined ratings table. This system first considers the most debilitating condition—the one with the highest individual rating—and then factors in additional, less severe conditions in descending order of their impact.
For instance, suppose a veteran receives notice of two service-connected disabilities, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a back injury, each rated at 50%. Instead of adding up to a simple 100%, the combined rating is calculated as 80%.
To understand how the VA works out combined ratings, there are two concepts you need to understand. These concepts are the “whole person theory” and the “decreasing efficiency method.”
The Whole Person Theory in VA Disability Rating
In VA disability ratings, the highest possible percentage a veteran can receive is 100%. This is determined using the “Whole Person Theory,” a method designed to ensure that a VA disability rating accurately reflects a veteran’s overall condition without exceeding the maximum threshold.
The premise is straightforward: no individual can be more than 100% able-bodied or disabled. While this concept seems simple, it introduces complexity, particularly when a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities.
The Whole Person Theory guarantees that combined ratings remain within the 100% limit by evaluating each condition’s impact on a veteran’s overall functionality. This meticulous calculation ensures that veterans receive a fair assessment of their mental and physical disabilities while respecting the natural limitations of total bodily function.
Decreasing Efficiency Method
The VA employs the Whole Person Theory alongside the decreasing efficiency method to determine combined VA disability ratings. This approach begins with a 100% efficiency rate, systematically reducing it based on the severity of each condition. Disabilities are ranked from highest to lowest percentage.
To calculate the combined disability rating, start with the most severe rating, multiplying it by the original efficiency. For example, a 30% disability rating for PTSD reduces efficiency to 70% (100 – 30% of 100). The next disability, say 20%, is calculated from this new rate: 20% of 70 is 14, lowering efficiency to 56% and setting a combined rating of 44%.
How the VA Rounds the Combined Value of a Veteran’s Ratings
The VA rounds this final figure to the nearest 10%, making 56% round up to 60%. The Combined Ratings Table simplifies these calculations. For bilateral disabilities affecting both body sides, an additional 10% is applied. Online tools such as combined disability calculators can also provide precise estimates, aiding veterans in understanding their ratings.
Using the VA Combined Ratings Table to Calculate Your Combined Disability Rating
While VA math can seem daunting, utilizing the Combined Rating Table, outlined in CFR 4.25, is quite straightforward. For your convenience, the VA has included the complete table to help you calculate your combined disability rating.
The process begins by listing your disability percentages in descending order, starting with the highest. To use the table, locate your highest disability percentage in the left column, then find your next highest percentage in the top row. The intersection of these two values reveals the combined rating for both disabilities.
For example, let’s consider a case where a veteran has a 60% rating for PTSD and a 30% rating for a back injury. By locating 60% in the left column and 30% in the top row, the intersection shows a combined rating of 72%.
This practical method simplifies the calculation of your overall disability rating, providing a clearer understanding of your benefits.
What It Means to be 100% Disabled According to the VA
Achieving a 100% VA disability rating represents the pinnacle of recognition for severe service-connected disabilities, whether stemming from a single condition or an accumulation of multiple conditions. This VA disability rating underscores a veteran’s substantial impairment in daily functioning due to their service.
There are two primary pathways to this rating: schedular and Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). A 100% schedular rating is awarded when either a single condition meets the stringent criteria outlined in the VA’s official charts or when the combined effect of multiple conditions results in a 100% rating.
Securing 100% Disability Without a 100% Rating
On the other hand, TDIU, while not officially labeled as a “100% disability rating,” is treated as such. It allows veterans to receive benefits at the 100% level if their disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantial gainful employment, regardless of the percentage calculated by individual ratings.
For veterans facing challenges in sustaining employment due to their disabilities, seeking a TDIU benefits determination via a VA disability claim could provide essential financial support and recognition of their impairments.
How to Increase Your VA Combined Disability Rating
If you feel the VA has underrated your disability in their initial decision, you have one year to appeal. However, if your condition deteriorates after this appeal window, you can request a re-evaluation to potentially increase your disability rating.
This process involves submitting new evidence from your medical provider or other sources like employers, family, or friends. The goal is to have their statements demonstrate the worsening of your condition. The VA, already recognizing your disability, will reassess the severity to determine if a higher rating is justified.
Veterans Should Be Cautious When Seeking to Increase Their Current Disability Rating
Typically, this involves scheduling a new Compensation & Pension Exam (C&P) to evaluate your current condition. When considering a request for an increased disability rating, timing and potential outcomes are crucial. A minor increase might not impact your overall rating or monthly VA disability benefits.
Moreover, with a new C&P Exam, there’s a risk the VA might determine your service-connected condition has improved, leading to a reduced individual or combined rating. Therefore, it’s important to prepare thoroughly and consider the implications before proceeding with a re-evaluation request.
How Can a VA Disability Benefits Attorney Help?
Navigating the VA claims process for a combined disability rating can be complex and overwhelming, making the guidance of an experienced veteran disability lawyer invaluable.
The Services and Skills of a Veteran Disability Benefits Appeals Lawyer
With their legal expertise, an attorney can simplify the intricacies of VA claims, such as effectively utilizing the Combined Rating Table and ensuring that all pertinent evidence is meticulously presented.
The role of your VA attorney extends beyond mere paperwork. They also help in crafting a compelling case, managing documentation, and adhering to strict deadlines. These actions are all crucial for a successful VA disability claim.
A seasoned attorney provides a significant advantage during VA appeals or re-evaluation processes. They are adept at advocating for your best interests, striving to maximize the benefits to which you are entitled.
By having professional representation, you can feel assured that your case is handled with precision and care, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
Talk to a VA Disability Claim Lawyer at Bartlett Legal Group
If you’re seeking clarity on your combined disability rating or considering an appeal against a VA decision, our experienced VA-accredited attorneys are ready to assist you. At Bartlett Legal Group, we offer personalized support tailored to your unique situation, ensuring you understand every aspect of your disability claim or appeal.
Don’t navigate this complex process alone—let our professional guidance lead you towards the VA disability benefits you deserve.
Call us today at (850) 332-6434 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can work together towards a successful outcome. Take action now and secure your peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the VA combined disability rating calculated?
The VA uses the Combined Rating Table to calculate your overall rating. It starts with the highest individual disability percentage and then combines additional disabilities in descending order.
What should I do if I disagree with my VA disability rating?
If you believe your rating is inaccurate, you have one year to appeal the decision. The VA will likely ask you to provide any new and relevant evidence you may have to support your case during this process.
How often are VA disability ratings reviewed?
Ratings are typically reviewed periodically, especially if a veteran files for an increase due to worsening service-connected conditions. The VA may schedule re-evaluations based on individual circumstances.
