VA Disability Rating Decision — What It Means & What to Do

What This Letter Means

The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) has reviewed your service-connected disability and assigned you a disability rating.

This rating is critical because it determines:

Your monthly compensation amount (how much money you get)
Healthcare eligibility (VA medical benefits)
Dependents' benefits (if you have spouse/children, they may get added benefits)
Other benefits (unemployment, education, tax breaks)
Property tax exemptions (in many states)

If you think the rating is too low, you have 1 year from the decision date to appeal.

Understanding Your Rating Percentage

The VA assigns a rating from 0% to 100%, usually in 10% increments (0%, 10%, 20%, etc.).

0% = Diagnosed but not service-connected (not causing disability)

10% = Minimal disability (condition exists but minimal impact on work/life)

20% = Mild disability (some functional loss)

30%–40% = Moderate disability

50%–60% = Substantial disability

70%+ = Severe disability (major impact on work/life)

100% = Total disability (unable to work)

The percentage is not just a percentage of disability. It's based on VA rating schedules that define how much each condition impacts functionality.

2026 VA Monthly Compensation Rates

These are the monthly payments you receive based on your rating and dependents. Rates change annually (January 1).

Rating	Veteran Only	+ Spouse	+ 1 Child	+ 2 Children
10%	$175	$205	$225	$245
20%	$346	$406	$446	$486
30%	$536	$627	$688	$749
40%	$773	$900	$985	$1,070
50%	$1,101	$1,278	$1,397	$1,516
60%	$1,395	$1,621	$1,769	$1,917
70%	$1,757	$2,031	$2,216	$2,401
80%	$2,044	$2,363	$2,576	$2,789
90%	$2,296	$2,655	$2,896	$3,137
100%	$3,737	$4,318	$4,710	$5,102

Important: These rates change every January. Check VA.gov for current rates. Also, you may qualify for additional allowances if you're unemployable (TDIU) or 100% disabled.

Reading Your Rating Decision

Your decision letter should include:

Conditions Rated ▼

A list of each service-connected condition and its rating. Example:

PTSD: 70%
Low Back Strain: 20%
Hearing Loss: 10%

Look at each condition. Does it reflect your current symptoms?

Combined Rating ▼

This is NOT a simple addition of percentages. The VA uses a formula.

Example: You have PTSD (70%) and Back Strain (20%). The combined rating is NOT 90%. It's calculated using the VA Combined Rating Table and works out to about 76%.

This confuses many veterans. The VA explains it on their website, but the math is complex. Just know: individual percentages add up to a COMBINED rating, which determines your total compensation.

Effective Date ▼

The date your compensation begins. Could be:

The date you filed (if you applied long ago)
The date you were medically discharged
A more recent date (if this is a change)

Your back pay (if any) goes back to this date.

Next Review Date (If Applicable) ▼

Some ratings are considered "not static" — meaning the VA thinks your condition might improve or worsen. They schedule a follow-up exam.

Example: You received a rating with a "follow-up exam in 2 years." The VA will contact you to be re-examined.

If they re-examine you and your condition improved, your rating might decrease. If it worsened, it might increase.

What You Should Review Immediately

Is your name and service member number correct? Verify your personal info.
Are all your conditions listed? Did you apply for other conditions they didn't rate?
Do the ratings seem accurate? Based on your current symptoms, are the percentages fair?
Is the combined rating calculation correct? (Usually too complex to verify, but ask for help if unsure)
Do you understand your monthly pay? Match it to the rating on your letter.

If You Disagree With Your Rating

You have 1 year from the decision date to appeal. Here are your options:

Option 1: File a Supplemental Claim (Fastest) ▼

If you have new medical evidence that supports a higher rating, file a Supplemental Claim.

What qualifies as "new evidence":

Recent doctor's notes showing condition worsened
New VA medical exam results
Private medical records you didn't submit before
Hospital records from after your original claim
Letters from treating doctors with updated assessments

Timeline: Usually faster than other appeals (3-6 months)

How to file: VA Form 20-0995 (available at VA.gov or your local VA office)

What to submit: The form + new medical evidence

Option 2: File a Higher-Level Review (No New Evidence) ▼

If you don't have new medical evidence but think the VA made a mistake in evaluating what they already have, request a Higher-Level Review.

Example: The VA has your medical records showing you can't walk more than 100 feet, but they only rated you 20%. You think they misread the evidence.

Timeline: Usually 4-6 months

How to file: VA Form 20-0996 (available at VA.gov)

Important: A senior rater reviews your case. NO new evidence accepted, but they re-examine existing evidence.

Option 3: Board Appeal (Longest Wait) ▼

If Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review are denied, you can appeal to the VA Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Timeline: Long (often 12-24 months)

How to file: VA Form 10182 (Notice of Appeal) or online through VA.gov

What to expect: VA may request oral hearing, written briefs, additional evidence

File for Additional Conditions (Separate from Rating Appeal) ▼

If you have conditions that weren't rated in the decision, you can file for them separately.

Example: You have knee pain that you mentioned in your original claim, but they didn't give it a rating. File VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) to preserve your date, then submit VA Form 21-0960 (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits).

These are separate claims from your original. They don't affect your current rating.

Getting Help With Your Appeal

Free help available:

Veterans Service Officer (VSO): Free representatives from American Legion, DAV, VFW, etc. They help file appeals.
VA Regional Office: Call 1-800-827-1000 or visit your local VA office
VA.gov: Guides, forms, decision timelines
Veterans Law Judge: If it goes to Board of Appeals, you can request oral hearing

Paid legal help: If needed, VA-accredited attorneys can represent you (for a fee, usually contingent on winning).

What About Conditions That Got Worse Since The Rating?

Important rule: If a condition you already have rated got significantly worse, you can file for an increase in rating at ANY time (not limited to 1 year).

Example: You were rated 20% for back pain 3 years ago. Your back got much worse. You can file for an increase NOW.

You'll need current medical evidence showing the worsening. Get new doctor's notes, VA exam results, or private medical records documenting the change.

💡 Dr. Ed's Insider Tip

VA rating math is confusing — they don't just add percentages. Two 50% ratings don't equal 100%. They use a 'combined rating' formula. And here's what most veterans miss: if you have conditions that weren't rated, you can file for them separately. Also, if your condition got worse since the rating, you can file for an increase at any time.

Here's what I see most: A veteran gets a rating (say 40%) and thinks, "That's it. I'm stuck." But they're not. If they have evidence their condition worsened, they can appeal. If they have conditions they didn't mention before (or that weren't rated), they can file separately.

Second: Many veterans don't gather strong medical evidence before appealing. The VA needs current doctor's notes, medical records, VA exam results. If your rating says 30% but you're truly disabled (can't work), get a doctor to document that. Then appeal with that evidence.

Third: Use a VSO (Veterans Service Officer). They're free. American Legion, DAV, VFW all have VSOs who help with appeals. They know the system better than anyone.

Fourth: If your rating is truly wrong (they misread your medical records), file a Higher-Level Review. If you have new medical evidence, file a Supplemental Claim. If neither of those works, appeal to the Board.

Last: The VA increases ratings all the time on appeal. If you have strong evidence, you have a decent chance. Don't give up.

Timeline: What to Do Now

TODAY: Read your rating decision carefully. Make sure all information is correct.

This week: If you disagree with the rating, gather any medical evidence you have (doctor's notes, medical records, VA exam results).

If appealing: Contact a Veterans Service Officer (free). They can help you file the right form.

Within 1 year: File your appeal (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal).

Remember: Conditions that worsened can be appealed at ANY time (no 1-year limit).

FAQ

Can I get TDIU (Total Disability Individual Unemployability)? ▼

Yes, if you're rated 60%+ for a single condition OR 40%+ for one condition AND other rated conditions total 70%+. TDIU means you get paid as if you're 100% disabled, even if your combined rating is lower.

You must be unable to work due to your service-connected conditions. File VA Form 21-8940 to apply.

What about dependents benefits? ▼

If you're rated 30%+, your spouse and children get additional monthly payments. The amounts are in the rate table above.

If you have dependents, make sure VA knows about them. Report births, marriages, divorces. VA.gov has forms for adding/removing dependents.

Does my rating affect my job or security clearance? ▼

Generally no. Your VA disability rating is separate from employment. However, if a specific condition (like a mental health condition) might affect a security clearance, it could be reviewed. But simply having a VA rating shouldn't disqualify you from most jobs.

Are VA benefits taxable? ▼

No. VA disability compensation is not taxable income. You don't report it on your taxes.

What if the VA scheduled me for a future exam? ▼

Attend the exam. The VA uses it to monitor your condition. Your rating could increase, stay the same, or decrease. Bring medical records and a list of your current symptoms. Be honest about how your condition affects you.