The VA Bilateral Factor: How It Can Boost Your Rating

What is the Bilateral Factor?

The Bilateral Factor is a rule in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR § 4.26) that acknowledges a simple truth: having a disability in both arms or both legs is more disabling than the sum of its parts.

If you have a "paired" disability, the VA adds an extra 10% to the combined value of those specific disabilities before adding them to the rest of your claim.

When Does It Apply?

The rule applies whenever you have compensable (rated 10% or higher) disabilities affecting:

• Both upper extremities (arms, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers).
• Both lower extremities (hips, knees, ankles, feet, toes).

It does NOT require matching conditions

You do not need to have the exact same condition on both sides.

• Example: A left knee strain and a right ankle fracture DO count.
• Example: A left shoulder limitation and right carpal tunnel DO count.

What is excluded?

The bilateral factor does not apply to:

• Paired organs (eyes, ears, kidneys, lungs).
• A mix of one arm and one leg (e.g., left arm and left leg).

How the Math Works (The "Bilateral Boost")

Let's look at a real-world example to see the difference.

Scenario: You have a 30% Left Knee rating and a 20% Right Ankle rating.

Without Bilateral Factor:

1. 100 - 30% = 70 remaining.
2. 20% of 70 = 14.
3. 30 + 14 = 44% Combined.

With Bilateral Factor:

1. Combine the two ratings normally: 44%.
2. Calculate the Boost: Take 10% of 44, which is 4.4.
3. Add the Boost: 44 + 4.4 = 48.4%.

The Result: Instead of contributing 44% to your total claim, these two conditions now contribute 48.4%. When combined with other disabilities, that 4.4% difference can easily be the tipping point between rounding up or rounding down.

Common Bilateral Conditions

Veterans often overlook secondary conditions that could trigger this factor. Common pairs include:

• Pes Planus (Flat Feet): Often rated bilaterally (e.g., 30% or 50%).
• Radiculopathy: Sciatica or femoral nerve pain affecting both legs secondary to a back condition.
• Joint Overuse: If you have a bad right knee, you may develop a left knee condition from overcompensating (favoring the good leg). This is a valid secondary claim that triggers the bilateral factor.

The "Bilateral Trap" (Rare)

In very rare mathematical quirks, the bilateral factor can actually lower a rating slightly due to rounding at the wrong time, but this is extremely uncommon. For 99% of veterans, the bilateral factor is a powerful tool to reach 100%.

How to Check Your Status

1. Review your rating decision letters. Look for codes that specify "Left" or "Right."
2. If you have a rated leg condition, ask yourself: "Does my other leg hurt from walking differently?"
3. Use our Calculator and select "Left Leg" or "Right Leg" for your conditions. We handle the complex math automatically.

Check your Bilateral Factor now