Receiving a VA disability rating can feel like an important step forward, but it can also bring new questions. What does the percentage actually mean? How does the VA decide your rating? And what happens if you believe your rating does not fully reflect the impact of your condition?
A VA disability rating is more than just a number. It affects your monthly compensation, your access to certain benefits, and how the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the severity of your service-connected condition.
What Is a VA Disability Rating?
A VA disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA to show how severe a service-connected condition is.
Ratings are usually assigned in 10% increments, from 0% to 100%. The higher the rating, the more the VA has recognized that your condition affects your health, daily life, and ability to function.
A 0% rating means the VA agrees your condition is service connected, but does not currently find it severe enough to qualify for monthly compensation. A rating of 10% or higher may qualify a Veteran for monthly tax-free disability compensation.
How Does the VA Decide a Disability Rating?
The VA reviews medical evidence, service records, claim forms, and exam results to decide how severe a condition is.
This may include:
- VA medical records
- Private medical records
- Compensation and Pension exam results
- Service treatment records
- Statements from the Veteran
- Statements from family members, coworkers, or others who understand the impact of the condition
The VA compares this evidence to its rating criteria for that specific condition. For example, a knee condition, PTSD, migraines, hearing loss, or back injury may each be evaluated differently.
What Does a Combined VA Rating Mean?
If you have more than one service-connected condition, the VA does not simply add the percentages together.
Instead, the VA uses a combined ratings formula. This means a Veteran with a 50% rating and a 30% rating will not automatically receive an 80% combined rating. The VA calculates how each condition affects the remaining level of functioning.
This can be confusing for many Veterans, especially when the final combined rating is lower than expected.
Why Your Rating Matters
Your VA disability rating can affect more than your monthly compensation.
Depending on your rating, you may become eligible for additional benefits, such as:
- Higher monthly compensation
- Additional compensation for dependents
- Access to VA health care
- Certain state or local benefits
- Possible eligibility for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability
- Other VA-related benefits depending on your circumstances
Because the rating can affect both your financial stability and access to support, it is important to make sure the VA has evaluated your condition accurately.
What If You Believe Your VA Rating Is Too Low?
If you believe your rating does not reflect the severity of your condition, you may have options.
This may happen when:
- The VA did not consider all relevant medical evidence
- Your Compensation and Pension exam did not fully capture your symptoms
- Your condition has worsened over time
- The VA overlooked secondary conditions
- Your symptoms cause more functional limitations than the rating suggests
In some cases, you may be able to appeal the decision. In other cases, you may need to file for an increased rating with updated medical evidence showing that your condition has gotten worse.
Understanding Your Rating Can Help You Protect Your Benefits
VA disability ratings can be difficult to understand, especially when you are dealing with multiple conditions, combined ratings, or a decision that does not feel accurate. If you have questions about your rating, your compensation, or whether the VA fully considered the impact of your condition, Disability Law Group can help you review your options and understand the next step. Call (800) 838-1100 or contact us online through our contact page at https://disabilitylawgroup.com/contact/ for a free consultation.
