Estimate your 2026 VA disability compensation using official rates effective December 1, 2025. This calculator handles combined ratings using the VA “whole-person” formula, bilateral factor per 38 CFR §4.26, dependent add-ons (spouse, children, parents), SMC levels K through R2/T, and a roadmap showing exactly what additional rating gets you to the next tier.
Click a rating percentage below to add each service-connected condition. For an arm or leg condition, click the limb first, then its rating — the bilateral factor is applied automatically when both arms or both legs are rated.
Disabilities
Click a percentage to add each rated condition
Arm or leg condition? Click the limb, then its rating. Same rating on both sides? Click Bilateral Arms or Bilateral Legs, then the rating. Anything else? Just click the rating.
None added yet. Click a percentage above.
⚖️ Bilateral factor: applied automatically when you add ratings for both arms or both legs. The VA adds 10% to the combined value of those paired conditions before combining with the rest (38 CFR §4.26).
Dependents (Optional)
30%+ rating required for dependent pay
Special Monthly Compensation (Optional)
Extra pay for severe disabilities
⚠️ SMC levels L–R2 replace your base rating pay. SMC-K and SMC-S are added to your base pay. Select only one main level (L through R2/T) if applicable.
How VA Combined Rating Math Works
Enter Your Information
Add disabilities, optional dependents and SMC, then click Calculate to see your full pay breakdown and roadmap.
How to use the calculator
- Add each rating. Click a percentage to add a service-connected condition. For an arm or leg condition, click the limb first and then the percentage.
- Add dependents. A spouse, children and dependent parents raise your pay once your combined rating is 30% or more.
- Add Special Monthly Compensation if it applies to you.
- Click Calculate. You get your combined rating, your estimated monthly pay, and a roadmap showing what it would take to reach each higher rating.
How the combined rating is worked out
VA does not add ratings together. It applies each rating to the part of you that is still counted as able, starting with the highest, and then rounds the result to the nearest 10. That is why 50% and 30% combine to 70%, not 80%. The full method, with worked examples, is in VA math explained.
When both arms or both legs have a rated condition, VA combines those ratings first and adds 10% of that value before combining with the rest. The calculator applies this bilateral factor automatically when you add ratings for a left and a right limb.
What the estimate includes
| Included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pay rates | The 2026 VA compensation rates, effective December 1, 2025 |
| Combined rating | VA’s combined ratings method, rounded to the nearest 10 |
| Bilateral factor | Applied when both arms or both legs are rated |
| Dependents | Spouse, children under 18, children 18 to 23 in school, dependent parents, and Aid and Attendance for a spouse |
| Special Monthly Compensation | Levels K through R.2 and T |
Common questions
Why is my combined rating lower than my ratings added together? Each rating after the first is applied to a smaller remainder, so the total grows more slowly than the sum. See VA math explained.
Is this an official VA figure? No. It is an estimate based on VA’s published rates and rules. VA’s own calculation controls, and offsets such as military retired pay or separation pay can change what you receive.
When do the rates change? VA rates rise each December 1 with the cost-of-living adjustment. The current table is in 2026 VA disability pay rates.
What if I am stuck just below the next level? Look at secondary conditions and filing for an increase. If your conditions keep you from working, TDIU pays at the 100% rate, and severe disabilities may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation.
This calculator gives estimates only and is not an official VA determination. This site is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. See our disclaimer.