What is VA Math?
VA math is the key to Veterans Disability Compensation ratings. Unlike the type of math that you and I are familiar with – VA math isn’t very straightforward.
Here’s a question: What is 50 + 30? If you guessed 80, like any person with a basic understanding of math, you’d be wrong. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 50 + 30 is actually 65!
I’m sorry, but I’ve tricked you again. The answer is actually 70. Anyone without any experience with the VA is likely very confused. How can something that equals 80 actually equal 65 70? Here’s how:
50 + 30 ≠ 80; 50 + 30 = 65
65 ≈ 70
Determining a Rating
First, you need to understand how to determines disability ratings. The VA rates injuries and illnesses on a scale of 0 to 100. If a veteran has a disability rating of 0%, you consider the veteran’s condition as 100% efficient. Likewise, if a veteran has a disability rating of 100%, you consider the veteran’s condition as 0% efficient – completely disabled. An injury receiving a rating of 47 out of 100 gives a veteran a 47% disability, meaning they are 53% efficient. But here’s the catch: the VA rounds disability ratings to the nearest 10% for compensation payments. By rounding 47% to the nearest 10%, the final disability rating is 50%. However, the same applies to smaller numbers, meaning a disability rating of 44 would be rounded down to 40.
We will use the made up example of Joe Schmo to demonstrate the process.
Joe Schmo’s Example, Part I:
Joe Schmo served in the U.S. Army as a Airborne Infantryman, completed his service honorably, and returned state-side. Before his military service, Joe Schmo had no injuries or illnesses, so his efficiency is 100% and his disability is 0%. After parachuting out of planes for years, Joe Schmo has received injuries from his many jumps. Joe Schmo decides its time to go to file his VA Disability Compensation application. After reviewing his records, the VA gives a disability rating of 47 to Joe Schmo’s legs and knees. 47 rounded to the nearest 10 is 50. Joe Schmo has a total disability rating of 50%.
47 ≈ 50
50% Disability Rating
50% Efficiency Rating
Two Disabilities
The next thing to know is that disabilities are rated separately by body part or function. For example, an injury to an arm will be rated separately from an illness affecting the lungs, and both will be rated separately from mental or psychological injuries. A veteran’s injury to their lungs may be rated at 51, and an injury to an arm may be rated at 29. Following the rules of rounding, our two ratings are 50 and 30 which put us at 65, right? Yes and no. This is because there are extra rules when combining disability ratings.
The Combined Ratings Table and Efficiency
The VA uses a Combined Ratings Table that works as a cheat sheet to quickly find how severe the combined disabilities are to the veteran. You use the first column for the first disability rating and the top row for the second disability rating. This is where “efficiency” matters. Instead of combining the two ratings together, the VA uses the largest disability rating as the baseline and deducts the other disability ratings from the remaining efficiency. We’ll use Joe Schmo again to help us understand.
Joe Schmo’s Example, Part II:
After receiving his first rating, Joe Schmo makes a second claim for his shoulder and rotator cuff which he injured from “improvised landings.” The VA rates Joe Schmo’s injury as 27, rounding it to 30. Since Joe Schmo is 50% efficient due to his 50% disability, you apply the new 30% disability to his 50% efficiency. Thirty percent of 50 is 15. Therefore, Joe Schmo’s 30% disability increases his total disability by 15%. Adding 50 and 15 equals 65, which you then round to the nearest 10, resulting in Joe Schmo’s total disability rating of 70%.
30% of 50 = 15
50 + 15 = 65
65 ≈ 70
70% Disability Rating
30% Efficiency Rating
We can use the Combined Ratings Table to find the same number by finding where 50 and 30 intersect. By the way: this symbol (⋂) means intersection!
50 ⋂ 30 = 65
65 ≈ 70
70% Disability Rating
30% Efficiency Rating
Three or More Disabilities
If a veteran has more than two ratings, you first combine the largest two using the table without rounding. Then, find the first combined rating in the first column and the remaining rating in the top row; subsequently, locate the intersection. Since you add each additional disability as a percentage of the veteran’s remaining efficiency rather than in its entirety, consequently, some odd results can occur. Let’s look at Joe Schmo one more time.
Joe Schmo’s Example, Part III:
After Joe Schmo’s wife scolded him for purchasing a “colony of bees” instead of buying some “flavored teas,” Joe began to think that his time in the service may have impacted his hearing. The VA gave Joe Schmo’s hearing a disability rating of 22, which rounded down is 20%. Joe Schmo’s three ratings are 50, 30, and 20. The intersection of the first two ratings show a disability rating of 65%. In the first column of the Combined Ratings Table, you use the 65, and in the top row, you use the 20, which intersect for a total disability rating of 72%. 72 rounded to the nearest 10 is 70, so Joe Schmo’s disability rating is 70%.
50 ⋂ 30 = 65
65 ⋂ 20 = 72
72 ≈ 70
70% Disability Rating
30% Efficiency Rating
That can’t possibly be right! How can three injuries or illnesses still receive the same rating as two? Using the efficiency rating gives the same result. You apply the 20% disability to the remaining efficiency rating of 35%. Twenty percent of 35 is 7. You add 7 to the combined disability rating of 65, which totals 72. You then round 72 down to 70, granting a 70% disability rating.
30% of 50 = 15
50 + 15 = 65
100 – 65 = 35% Efficiency Rating
20% of 35 = 7
65 + 7 = 72% Disability Rating
72 ≈ 70
70% Disability Rating
30% Efficiency Rating
Strange Math
Because the VA applies each additional disability rating as a percent of a veteran’s remaining efficiency, every new disability rating is not worth as much as prior disabilities. Increasing the disability rating for lower rated injuries may not be enough for an increase in compensation benefits. Knowing how the VA determines disability ratings is an important step in understanding the VA claims process. We hope that this quick guide helped you better understand VA Math!
If you’d like to learn more about VA Math and the VA Disability Compensation Process, you can reach out to us to schedule your free consultation with our Attorneys!
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