The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to help former military members receive medical care, supplement their income, receive educational training, and more. Its disability benefits program provides compensation for veterans who suffered a military-related or service-connected disability.
When you apply for disability benefits with the VA and the VA verifies that your disability is related to your service, the department will assign a rating to your disability. This number reflects your ability to work as a result of your condition and will impact the value of your monthly benefits payment. Generally, less severe disabilities receive a lower rating while more severe cases receive a higher rating.
VA Disability Rating Resources
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What is a Disability Rating?
Understanding the Schedule of Rating Disabilities
How Does the VA Determine Disability Ratings
How Do Disability Ratings Impact Benefits?
What Happens if You Have Multiple Disabilities
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What Is a Disability Rating?
A disability rating is a percentage assigned to you by the VA based on the severity of your service-connected health condition. This number represents how much your disability impacts your overall health and your ability to work, function, and live independently.
After the VA determines this percentage, they will use it to calculate how much money you will receive every month. Your rating will also determine whether you are eligible for any other benefits.
Understanding the Schedule of Rating Disabilities
The VA has developed a Schedule of Rating Disabilities (VASRD) to help assign ratings to each veteran who applies for benefits. This schedule divides different health conditions into distinct diagnostic categories based on what part of the body they affect. For example, if you develop stomach ulcers, your condition will fall under the Digestive System category.
In each category, there are certain groups of medical issues each with its own diagnoses. Each diagnosis has a diagnostic code, which identifies certain symptoms that are required for different disability ratings. For example, under the Skin Conditions category, burn scars of the head, face, or neck are given diagnostic code 7800.
These scars are given the following ratings based on the following criteria:
- 80%: The burn scars left visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features, with six or more characteristics of disfigurement.
- 50%: The burn scars left visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets of features, with four or five characteristics of disfigurement.
- 30%: The burn scars left visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features, with two or three characteristics of disfigurement.
- 10%: The burn scars left one characteristic of disfigurement.
How Does the VA Determine Disability Ratings?
The VA bases disability ratings on the medical evidence that you provide, the results of your VA claim exam if necessary, and information from other sources, like government documents. After the department verifies that your disability is related to your medical service, it will then begin to determine your rating by:
- Identifying the body system category
- Locating your diagnosis
- Finding the diagnostic code that matches your symptoms
A single disability can only connect to one diagnostic code, even if it could fall under two or more categories. In this situation, the VA must choose the diagnostic code with the highest rating so that you can receive the maximum amount of benefits. However, the VA does not always identify the correct rating, which is why it is important to consult with a lawyer who can evaluate the department’s decision.
If your disability is not listed in the VASRD, the VA will look for a disability that is the closest to the condition that you have. Then, it will evaluate the disability based on the diagnostic codes listed under that condition.
How Do Disability Ratings Impact Benefits?
The value of your disability benefits will depend on a number of factors, including your disability rating, whether you have any dependents, and the current year. As of 2022, the compensation rates for VA disability benefits are as follows:
- If you have a 10% disability rating, your monthly payment is $152.64.
- If you have a 20% disability rating, your monthly payment is $301.74.
- If you have a 30% disability rating and have no dependents, you would receive $467.39 if you have no dependents and up to $610.39 if you have a spouse and two parents.
- If you have a 40% disability rating, you could receive between $673.28 to $865.28 depending on your number of dependents.
- If you have a 50% disability rating, you could receive between $958.44 to $1,198.44 depending on your number of dependents.
- If you have a 60% disability rating, you could receive between $1,214.03 to $1,503.03 depending on your number of dependents.
- If you have a 70% disability rating, you could receive between $1,529.95 to $1,867.95 depending on your number of dependents.
- If you have an 80% disability rating, you could receive between $1,778.43 to $2,164.43 depending on your number of dependents.
- If you have a 90% disability rating, you could receive between $1,998.52 to $2,433.52 depending on your number of dependents.
- If you have a 100% disability rating, you could receive between $3,332.06 to $3,816.04 depending on your number of dependents.
What Happens If You Have More Than One Disability?
If you have multiple disabilities related to your military service, the VA will use another schedule called the Combined Ratings Table. After applying this formula, the VA will determine your combined disability rating and round it to the nearest whole number. Your rating will not exceed 100%.
For example, say that you have one condition that is rated at 30% and one that is rated at 70%. On the Combined Ratings Table, you will first look at columns and find the 30%, then find the row that says 70%. Your disability rating would be 79%, or 80% after it is rounded up.
Speak to an Attorney About VA Disability Benefits
If you believe that you qualify for VA disability benefits, it is important to be prepared and be informed. A Camp Lejeune toxic water attorney who specializes in helping veterans apply for disability and navigate the complex application can support you during the process.
A lawyer can evaluate the VA’s decision, represent you during an appeal, and help you gather evidence to prove the extent of your benefits. As soon as you realize that you are eligible for benefits, contact an attorney to discuss your case and plan your next steps.