Resource Guide
Understanding VA Disability Ratings
A general overview of how VA disability ratings work, what they mean, and what factors influence the rating assigned to each condition.
What Is a VA Disability Rating?
A VA disability rating is a percentage assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs to a service-connected condition. It reflects how much the condition affects your overall health and ability to function. Ratings range from 0% to 100% in 10% increments for individual conditions. A 0% rating means the condition is service-connected but is not currently severe enough to warrant compensation. A 100% rating reflects total disability. If you have multiple conditions, the VA uses a combined rating formula — not simple addition — to calculate your overall disability percentage.
How Are Ratings Determined?
Ratings are assigned based on the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) — a regulatory document that defines the criteria for each disability category. For each condition, the VASRD lists specific symptoms and severity thresholds that correspond to different rating levels. For example, a condition causing occasional mild symptoms may rate 10%, while the same condition causing frequent severe symptoms with hospitalization may rate 50% or higher. Key factors the VA evaluates: • Frequency of symptoms or episodes • Severity of symptoms at their worst • Duration of episodes • Functional limitation (what you can't do) • Effect on employment and daily activities • Medical treatment required
Approximate Monthly Compensation Rates
| Rating | Approx. Monthly (Veteran Only) | General Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | ~$175 | Mild impairment, condition documented but minimally limiting |
| 30% | ~$524 | Moderate impairment affecting daily functioning |
| 50% | ~$1,075 | Significant impairment, substantial daily limitations |
| 70% | ~$1,716 | Severe impairment, significant functional limitation |
| 100% | ~$3,737 | Total disability — unable to maintain substantially gainful employment |
Rates are approximate for a veteran without dependents as of 2025. Verify current rates at va.gov.
Combined Ratings and the "Whole Person" Formula
When a veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, the VA does not add the percentages together. Instead, it uses a combined ratings formula that calculates each additional condition as a percentage of the remaining "whole person." For example: • 50% condition + 30% condition does not equal 80% • Instead: 50% disables half the person; the 30% applies to the remaining 50%, adding 15%; result = 65%, rounded to 70% This formula means it is possible to have several service-connected conditions and still not reach 100% combined, even with high individual ratings.
Rating Increases and Worsening Conditions
If a service-connected condition worsens over time, you can file a claim for an increased rating. Supporting evidence should show that your current symptoms exceed the criteria for your current rating level. This is where consistent long-term documentation is particularly valuable. If you have months or years of logs showing increasing frequency, severity, or functional impact, that evidence directly supports a rating increase request.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
TDIU allows veterans to receive compensation at the 100% rate even if their combined rating is less than 100%, if their service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Documentation of work impact — missed days, reduced hours, inability to perform job duties, job loss — is critical evidence for TDIU claims. Veteran Honor Log's work impact tracking features are specifically designed to help capture this type of documentation.
Track the evidence that drives your rating
Consistent, detailed documentation of frequency, severity, and work impact is the foundation of a strong disability claim.