When veterans become injured or disabled while serving their country, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers them various benefits, including disability compensation. VA disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled by injuries or diseases that were incurred or aggravated during active military service. This article will provide an overview of how veterans can calculate their VA disability compensation.

Overview of VA Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation is based on the severity of a veteran’s disability and how much the disability affects their ability to work and perform daily activities. The VA uses a rating system to determine the percentage of disability and the corresponding amount of compensation a veteran is entitled to receive. The rating system ranges from 0 to 100 percent, with increases in increments of 10 percent. The higher the rating, the more severe the disability, and the higher the monthly compensation payment.

Calculating VA Disability Compensation

To calculate VA disability compensation, veterans need to determine their combined disability rating (CDR). The CDR is the sum of all their individual disability ratings, rounded to the nearest 10 percent. The VA uses a complex formula to calculate the CDR, taking into account the severity of each disability and whether they affect different parts of the body.

For example, if a veteran has three service-connected disabilities with individual disability ratings of 30%, 20%, and 10%, the VA would calculate their CDR as follows:

• First, the VA would combine the two highest ratings, which in this case would be 30% and 20%. The VA would then take 10% of the combined rating, which is 5%, and add it to the lower rating of 10%.
• Next, the VA would round the sum to the nearest 10%. In this case, the sum is 35%, and when rounded to the nearest 10%, it becomes 40%. Therefore, the veteran’s CDR would be 40%.

Once the veteran has determined their CDR, they can use the VA’s compensation rate table to determine their monthly compensation payment. The table lists the monthly compensation rates based on the veteran’s CDR and the number of dependents they have. Dependents include a spouse, children, and dependent parents.

For example, as of 2021, if a veteran has a CDR of 40% and no dependents, they would receive a monthly compensation payment of $627.61. However, if the same veteran had one dependent, their monthly compensation payment would be $747.61. Using a VA disability calculator can help veterans understand their potential compensation benefits.

Special Considerations

There are some special considerations that veterans should keep in mind when calculating their VA disability compensation.

First, veterans who have multiple disabilities should ensure that all their disabilities are service-connected. Service connection means that the VA has determined that the disability is related to the veteran’s military service. If a disability is not service-connected, the veteran will not receive compensation for that disability.

Second, veterans should be aware that some disabilities may be considered “presumptive” for certain groups of veterans. Presumptive disabilities are those that are presumed to be related to a veteran’s military service, even if there is no specific evidence linking the disability to the service. For example, veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War may be presumptively eligible for disability compensation for certain conditions such as diabetes or cancer.

Third, veterans who have received a dishonorable discharge are generally not eligible for VA disability compensation. However, veterans who received a discharge under other than honorable conditions may be eligible if they can show that their disability was caused or aggravated by their military service.

Disability Ratings May Change

Veterans should regularly review their disability rating to ensure it accurately reflects their current level of disability. If a veteran’s condition worsens, they may be eligible for an increased disability rating, which would result in a higher compensation payment.

By understanding how to calculate their combined disability rating and compensation payment, veterans can ensure they receive the correct amount of compensation for their disabilities. It is important for veterans to work with a VA-accredited representative and regularly review their disability rating to ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Right to Appeal

Veterans have the right to appeal if they disagree with the VA’s disability rating or compensation payment. The appeal process can be lengthy, but veterans have the right to have their case reviewed by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and, if necessary, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).

In terms of appealing a disability rating or compensation payment, veterans have the right to request a review of their case by a Decision Review Officer (DRO) or to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to initiate the appeals process. The NOD must be filed within one year of the date the VA issues the decision regarding the veteran’s disability rating or compensation payment.

Additional Benefits May Apply

It is also worth noting that veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of at least 30% may be eligible for additional benefits, such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for their surviving spouse and/or children if the veteran passes away due to their service-connected disability. Additionally, veterans with a disability rating of 100% may be eligible for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which provides compensation at the 100% rate to veterans who are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their service-connected disabilities.

In terms of calculating the combined disability rating, veterans should keep in mind that the VA uses a complex formula that takes into account the severity of each disability, as well as how each disability affects the veteran’s ability to work and perform activities of daily living. Veterans should provide the VA with all necessary medical evidence, including medical records and opinions from treating physicians, to support their claim for disability compensation.

Veterans may be eligible for secondary service connection, which means that a disability that is not directly related to their military service may be connected to their service-connected disability. For example, if a veteran’s service-connected back injury leads to the development of depression, the veteran may be eligible for disability compensation for the depression as a secondary condition.

Consider Working With a Lawyer

The VA disability compensation process can be complex and time-consuming. It is recommended that veterans work with a VA-accredited representative, such as a Veterans Service Officer or a VA-accredited attorney, to help them navigate the process and ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Veterans should take the time to understand how their disability rating is calculated and how their compensation payment is determined. Working with a VA-accredited representative can help veterans navigate the process and ensure they receive the benefits they deserve. By regularly reviewing their disability rating and being aware of their right to appeal, veterans can ensure they receive the correct amount of compensation for their disabilities.

Irma C. Dengler

With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma C. Dengler decided to make the best of her writing skills. She decided to turn complicated legal matters into something more palatable for the masses. Therefore, Irma became a law communicator who writes about everyday problems so everyone can understand them and take the appropriate action. She specialized in personal injury cases, as they are more common than anyone thinks, but her areas of expertise also include civil law, criminal law, insurance-related issues, and more.