What Are The VA Disability Ratings and Rules?

Department of Veterans Affairs controls the rules regarding disability ratings. One thing you’ll learn is the math and methods the VA uses can be a little confusing. The following content will look at VA rules and policies surrounding VA disability pay.

VA Disability Ratings Rules

The VA issues VA disability ratings for Veterans who live with medical issues in the form injuries or illnesses connected to their military service. When you file a VA disability claim, the process includes listing all injuries or illnesses you believe are linked to your service. From there, the VA reviews each claim and decides if they qualify as service-related, or not. If the VA finds they are service-connected, it will rate each qualifying condition. Those ratings will be in the form of a percentage, rating from 0% (no disability), up to 100% (permanent total disability rating) in increments of 10.

If you have a single disability that receives a rating, or multiple disabilities that receive ratings and add up to a combined VA disability rating, the highest rating you can ever receive is 100%. The VA disability claim process includes a review on how these conditions affect the quality of your life. They also involve a review of your military medical records, any supporting evidence or documentation provided, the results of a VA claim examination (if the VA decides you need one), and other information about you that may be available from government agencies.

The VASRD outlines the rules and criteria the VA follows to assess disability claims and assign ratings based on how service-connected conditions impact your daily life and ability to work.

VA Determines Disability Ratings Based on Severity of Your Medical Conditions

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns disability ratings “based on the severity” of the individual condition. This is why the claim process involves asking for testimonies and other evidence that highlights how the conditions affect your everyday life. The higher the impact on your daily life could likely mean a higher disability rating, which means more money in monthly VA disability pay. The higher a rating also means eligibility to more benefits.

As mentioned above, if a you file a claim and list multiple conditions, the VA will review each of them and assign a rating for each. Despite receiving a rating for each condition, the VA uses a specific formula to calculate your combined VA disability rating. The VA math for figuring the combined VA disability rating may be difficult to understand, so we’ve helped by creating our own VA disability calculator that allows you the option to figure your combined VA disability rating.

Rounding the VA Disability Ratings Up or Down

The final determination for any VA disability rating may not result in a round number in an increment of 10, but VA policy is to round the number to the nearest 10% —down for 1, 2, 3 and 4 and up for numbers ending in 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

So if your VA rating for an individual condition came in at 15%, it would be rounded up to 20%. If it came to 14%, it would be rounded down to 10%.

Service-Connected Medical Issues Versus Preexisting Conditions

VA compensation may be available for those who entered military service with a preexisting condition, but the VA must calculate the “level of aggravation” of the condition due to service. That level is what determines the VA percentage.

Example: If you had a 10% condition before joining the military and the VA later rates it at 20%, you’ll only receive compensation for the 10% increase. The VA sees this as your service aggravating the condition by 10 percentage points, not as a brand-new 20% disability.

The VA 20-Year Rule

The VA 20-Year Rule protects your disability rating from being reduced if you’ve received VA compensation at the same level for 20 years or more, even if your condition improves. It is known as a protected rating.

The 10-Year Rule means the VA generally can’t take away your service connection after 10 years unless there’s proof you either committed fraud, or there is medical evidence of lasting improvement of your condition. Veterans over age 55 and those rated at 100% also get extra protection against reductions.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for VA Disability Compensation

The amount of VA disability you draw is subject to revision and increase due to cost of living allowance adjustments. Also known as COLA, these adjustments are tied directly to adjustments made for Social Security payments.

Other Considerations

Sometimes the VA misdiagnoses your condition by combining separate medical issues into one rating. If this happens, and your combined rating for the separate conditions equals or exceeds the original rating (and they share the same effective date) you may qualify for a review and re-rating.

Medical conditions can change over time. Some get better, others worsen, and some show new symptoms. When this happens, the VA might need to use different criteria or diagnostic codes to re-evaluate your condition.

If the VA assigns a new diagnosis or rating, the protection timeline resets. This new rating won’t have protections like the 5-, 10-, or 20-year rules until it meets those time requirements. However, symptoms covered under your original rating stay protected under the original timeline.

Appeal Processes for a VA Disability Rating

If you disagree with your VA disability rating decision, you have several options to appeal through the VA’s modernized appeals process. The three main review lanes include:

• Supplemental Claim: This process allows you to submit new and relevant evidence for the VA to review again.
• Higher-Level Review: This process involves a senior reviewer re-examining your case without new evidence.
• Board Appeal: This approach allows you to take your case to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, where you can choose a direct review, submit additional evidence, or request a hearing.

You must typically file your appeal within one year of the VA’s decision. Depending on the lane you choose, the process and timeline may vary. For example, a Supplemental Claim may take a few months, while a Board Appeal with a hearing could take a year or more. Veterans can switch appeal lanes if needed and may use a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or accredited representative to assist with the process. This system is designed to give you multiple chances to present your case and ensure your disability rating is accurate and fair.