VA Combined Ratings Chart 2025: How to Read & Use It Correctly

The VA Combined Ratings Table is the official tool the VA uses to calculate your combined disability rating—but most veterans find it confusing and make costly mistakes when trying to use it.

This comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to read the VA combined ratings chart, avoid common errors, and accurately calculate your combined rating using real-world examples.

What is the VA Combined Ratings Chart?

The VA Combined Ratings Table is found in 38 CFR § 4.25 and is the official chart the VA uses to combine multiple disability ratings into a single combined rating.

Why Does This Chart Exist?

The VA doesn't simply add your disability percentages together because:

You can't be more than 100% disabled.

If you have five 30% disabilities, simple addition would give you 150% disabled—which makes no sense. Instead, the VA uses a formula where each disability affects your "remaining efficiency" (your remaining health).

Key Concept: Efficiency vs. Disability

• Disability: How impaired you are
• Efficiency: How functional you remain

Example:

• 50% disabled = 50% efficient
• Each additional disability affects the remaining 50%, not your total health

How to Read the VA Combined Ratings Chart

The chart is a grid where:

• Rows = Your current combined rating
• Columns = The next rating you're adding
• Intersection = Your new combined rating

Basic Chart Layout

Step-by-Step: Using the Chart

Step 1: Sort Your Ratings Highest to Lowest

ALWAYS start with your highest rated condition.

Wrong:

• Tinnitus 10%
• Back pain 40%
• PTSD 70%

Correct:

• PTSD 70%
• Back pain 40%
• Tinnitus 10%

Step 2: Start with Your Highest Rating

Your first (highest) rating becomes your starting point.

Example: PTSD 70%

• Current combined rating: 70%

Step 3: Find Your Current Rating on the Left

Look for your current rating in the left column (rows).

Step 4: Find the Next Rating on Top

Find the rating you're adding across the top (columns).

Step 5: Find the Intersection

Where the row and column meet is your new combined rating.

Complete Example: PTSD 70% + Back Pain 40%

1. Start with: 70%
2. Find 70 in left column (row)
3. Find 40 across top (column)
4. Intersection shows: 82%
5. New combined rating: 82%

Step 6: Repeat for Each Additional Condition

Now your current rating is 82%. Add the next condition (Tinnitus 10%):

1. Current rating: 82%
2. Find 82 in left column
3. Find 10 across top
4. Intersection shows: 84%
5. Final combined rating: 84%

Step 7: Round to Nearest 10%

VA rounds to nearest 10%:

• 84% rounds to 80%

Your final payable rating: 80%

Common VA Combined Ratings Chart Examples

Example 1: Two Equal Ratings

Conditions:

• Left knee: 30%
• Right knee: 30%

Using the chart:

1. Start with: 30%
2. Row: 30, Column: 30
3. Intersection: 51%
4. Rounds to: 50%

Note: This is WITHOUT bilateral factor. With bilateral factor: 56% (rounds to 60%)

Example 2: Three Different Ratings

Conditions:

• Sleep apnea: 50%
• Lumbar strain: 40%
• Tinnitus: 10%

Step-by-step:

Start: 50% (highest)

Add 40%:
Row 50, Column 40 = 70%

Add 10%:
Row 70, Column 10 = 73%

Rounds to: 70%

Final rating: 70%

Example 3: Five Conditions

Conditions:

• PTSD: 70%
• Back: 40%
• Knee: 20%
• Shoulder: 10%
• Tinnitus: 10%

Calculation:

Start: 70%
+ 40% → Row 70, Column 40 = 82%
+ 20% → Row 82, Column 20 = 86%
+ 10% → Row 86, Column 10 = 87%
+ 10% → Row 87, Column 10 = 88%

Final: 88% (rounds to 90%)

Example 4: Multiple Minor Conditions

Conditions:

• Back: 20%
• Knee: 20%
• Shoulder: 10%
• Foot: 10%
• Skin: 10%

Calculation:

Start: 20%
+ 20% → 36%
+ 10% → 42%
+ 10% → 46%
+ 10% → 51%

Rounds to: 50%

Lesson: Even small ratings add up!

The Math Behind the Chart

Understanding the formula helps you calculate without the chart.

The Formula:

New Combined % = Current % + (New % × Remaining Efficiency)

Where:

• Remaining Efficiency = (100 - Current %) / 100

Example: 70% + 40%

Current: 70%
Remaining Efficiency: (100 - 70) / 100 = 0.30 (30%)

New Rating Added: 40%
Value Added: 40% × 0.30 = 12%

New Combined: 70% + 12% = 82%

Why This Makes Sense:

• At 70% disabled, you're only 30% "functional"
• A 40% disability affects your remaining 30% function
• 40% of 30% = 12%
• Total disability: 70% + 12% = 82%

Common Mistakes Using the Chart

Mistake #1: Adding Instead of Using the Chart

Wrong: 50% + 30% + 20% = 100%

Right: 50% + 30% = 65% 65% + 20% = 72% Rounds to 70%

Cost of this mistake: Expecting 100% but only getting 70%

Mistake #2: Not Sorting Highest to Lowest First

Wrong order: 10% + 20% + 70% = ?

• 10 + 20 = 28
• 28 + 70 = 78
• Rounds to 80%

Correct order: 70% + 20% + 10% = ?

• 70 + 20 = 76
• 76 + 10 = 78
• Rounds to 80%

In this case, same result, but NOT always true!

Actually, let me recalculate more carefully:

Wrong approach would be calculating differently in your head. Always use highest first for accuracy.

Mistake #3: Rounding Too Early

Wrong:

• 42% (rounds to 40%)
• 38% (rounds to 40%)
• 40% + 40% = 64% (thinking they're both 40%)

Right:

• 42% + 38% (use exact chart values)
• 42 row + 38 column = 65%
• Then round: 70%

Mistake #4: Not Using Bilateral Factor When Appropriate

Condition: Left knee 30%, Right knee 30%

Wrong: 30% + 30% = 51% → 50%

Right: 30% + 30% = 51% Bilateral factor: 51% × 1.10 = 56.1% → 56% Rounds to: 60%

Mistake #5: Forgetting to Round at the END

Conditions:

• 70%
• 40%
• 10%

Wrong:

• 70 + 40 = 82 → round to 80%
• 80 + 10 = 82 → round to 80%

Right:

• 70 + 40 = 82 (don't round yet)
• 82 + 10 = 84 (don't round yet)
• Now round: 84% → 80%

Doesn't change result in this case, but can in others.

When You Don't Need the Chart

Situation 1: You Have a Calculator

Modern VA disability calculators:

• Sort ratings automatically
• Apply bilateral factor
• Show step-by-step math
• Include bilateral calculations

Use a calculator if:

• You have 3+ conditions
• You have bilateral conditions
• You want to verify VA's math
• You're planning future claims

Situation 2: You're at 100%

Once at 100%, additional conditions don't increase your rating percentage (but may qualify you for Special Monthly Compensation).

Situation 3: Simple Two-Rating Scenario

For just two ratings, the chart is fast and easy.

How VA Uses the Chart (Internal Process)

What VA Raters Do:

1. Review your service-connected conditions
2. Identify bilateral conditions (group and apply 10% factor first)
3. Sort all ratings highest to lowest
4. Use the Combined Ratings Table to combine sequentially
5. Round the final result to nearest 10%
6. Apply to compensation schedule

What Can Go Wrong:

• ❌ Rater misses bilateral factor
• ❌ Conditions combined in wrong order
• ❌ Math error in reading chart
• ❌ Condition rating entered incorrectly
• ❌ Wrong condition codes used

How to Verify VA's Math

Step 1: Get Your Rating Decision

Request or download your VA rating decision letter.

Step 2: List All Conditions and Ratings

Create a table:

| Condition | Rating | Body Location | |-----------|--------|---------------| | PTSD | 70% | - | | Lumbar strain | 40% | - | | Right knee | 20% | Right lower | | Left knee | 10% | Left lower | | Tinnitus | 10% | - |

Step 3: Identify Bilateral Conditions

Group bilateral pairs:

• Right knee 20% + Left knee 10% = 28%
• Apply bilateral factor: 28% × 1.10 = 30.8% → 31%

Step 4: Sort Highest to Lowest

1. PTSD: 70%
2. Lumbar: 40%
3. Knees (bilateral): 31%
4. Tinnitus: 10%

Step 5: Use Chart to Combine

70% + 40% = 82%
82% + 31% = 90%
90% + 10% = 91%

Rounds to: 90%

Step 6: Compare to VA's Decision

If they match: ✅ VA did it correctly

If they don't match:

• Double-check your math
• Verify bilateral factor was applied
• Look for missing or incorrectly rated conditions
• File for Higher-Level Review if VA made an error

Special Cases and the Chart

Case 1: Temporary vs. Permanent Ratings

Some conditions have temporary ratings:

Example:

• Post-surgery: 100% (temporary)
• After healing: Drops to 30% (permanent)

Using the chart:

• During temporary period: Use 100% in calculations
• After drop: Recalculate using permanent rating

Case 2: Ratings Over 100%

The chart can't show over 100%, but with bilateral factor:

Example:

• Combined bilateral conditions: 94%
• Bilateral factor: 94% × 1.10 = 103.4%

Result: Caps at 100%

Case 3: Ratings Below 10%

Some conditions are rated 0% (service-connected but not compensable).

0% ratings:

• Don't affect your combined rating
• DO count for VA healthcare eligibility
• DO establish service-connection for secondary conditions

Not shown on chart because they add 0%.

Case 4: Rounded Ratings

VA sometimes shows ratings like "40% schedular, 50% with bilateral."

In chart: Always use the actual percentage (40%), then apply bilateral factor separately.

Alternative to the Chart: Using the Formula

For those who prefer math over charts:

The Formula:

Combined Rating = 100 - [(100 - R1) × (100 - R2) × (100 - R3) ÷ 1,000,000] ×...

Where:

• R1, R2, R3 = Individual ratings
• Result in decimal form

Example: 70% + 40% + 10%

Remaining efficiency after each:
- After 70%: (100 - 70) = 30% efficient
- After 40%: (100 - 40) = 60% efficient  
- After 10%: (100 - 10) = 90% efficient

Combined efficiency:
30% × 60% × 90% = 0.30 × 0.60 × 0.90 = 0.162 = 16.2% efficient

Combined disability:
100% - 16.2% = 83.8% disabled
Rounds to: 84% → 80%

Most people find the chart easier!

Quick Reference: Common Combined Ratings

Two Equal Ratings:

| Each Rating | Combined | Rounds To | |-------------|----------|-----------| | 10% + 10% | 19% | 20% | | 20% + 20% | 36% | 40% | | 30% + 30% | 51% | 50% | | 40% + 40% | 64% | 60% | | 50% + 50% | 75% | 80% | | 60% + 60% | 84% | 80% | | 70% + 70% | 91% | 90% |

Three Equal Ratings:

| Each Rating | Combined | Rounds To | |-------------|----------|-----------| | 10% × 3 | 27% | 30% | | 20% × 3 | 49% | 50% | | 30% × 3 | 66% | 70% | | 40% × 3 | 78% | 80% | | 50% × 3 | 88% | 90% |

Common Combinations:

| Ratings | Combined | Rounds To | |---------|----------|-----------| | 70% + 50% | 85% | 90% | | 70% + 30% | 79% | 80% | | 50% + 30% | 65% | 70% | | 50% + 20% | 60% | 60% | | 40% + 30% | 58% | 60% | | 40% + 20% | 52% | 50% | | 30% + 20% | 44% | 40% |

Using the Chart for Strategic Planning

Question: What rating do I need to reach 100%?

Current: 90%

Look at Row 90 in the chart:

• 90 + 10 = 91% (rounds to 90%)
• 90 + 20 = 92% (rounds to 90%)
• 90 + 30 = 93% (rounds to 90%)
• 90 + 40 = 94% (rounds to 90%)
• 90 + 50 = 95% (rounds to 100%)

Answer: You need at least a 50% additional rating to reach 100%.

Question: Will adding this condition push me to next tier?

Current: 78% (pays at 80%) Considering: Tinnitus at 10%

Row 78, Column 10 = 80% Rounds to: 80%

Answer: No, you'll still be at 80%. No increase in pay.

But if you were at 77%: Row 77, Column 10 = 79% Rounds to: 80%

Might not seem different, but if you later get increases, that extra 1% could matter.

Pro Tips for Using the Chart

Tip #1: Download or Screenshot the Chart

Keep a copy on your phone for quick reference.

Official source: VA.gov → Combined Ratings Table

Tip #2: Use a Calculator for 3+ Conditions

Chart is great for 1-2 ratings, but calculator is faster for multiple conditions.

Tip #3: Create Your Own Tracking Sheet

Template:

| Condition | Current % | Requested % | Impact on Combined | |-----------|-----------|-------------|-------------------| | PTSD | 50% | 70% | 70% → 80% (with others) | | Back | 20% | 40% | 70% → 82% (with others) |

Tip #4: Round Only at the Very End

Keep exact numbers throughout your calculation.

Tip #5: Double-Check for Bilateral

Before using the chart, always check if bilateral factor applies.

Conclusion: Master the Chart, Maximize Your Rating

The VA Combined Ratings Chart is the foundation of every disability rating calculation. Understanding how to use it correctly ensures:

✅ You can verify VA's math ✅ You know your true combined rating
✅ You can plan strategic claim timing ✅ You catch VA errors immediately ✅ You maximize your compensation

Key Takeaways:

1. Sort highest to lowest before using the chart
2. Start with Row (current), find Column (adding) for intersection
3. Apply bilateral factor FIRST if applicable
4. Round only at the end to nearest 10%
5. Use a calculator for 3+ conditions or bilateral cases

Next Steps:

1. Get your current VA ratings list
2. Practice using the chart with your conditions
3. Verify VA calculated your rating correctly
4. Use strategic planning for future claims
5. File for Higher-Level Review if you find errors

Last updated: December 6, 2025 Chart based on 38 CFR § 4.25