By Exit Desk
Every year, millions of veterans receive VA disability ratings, but few truly understand how the percentages are chosen, how they’re combined, or what they mean for monthly compensation. These ratings affect income, healthcare access, family benefits, and long-term financial stability.
This guide breaks down the most common VA ratings in 2026, why veterans receive them, and how the VA determines each percentage.
Why VA Ratings Matter So Much
Your disability rating affects:
• Monthly tax-free compensation
• Eligibility for healthcare priority groups
• Education and home loan benefits
• Commissary and exchange access
• Travel compensation for appointments
• Whether dependents qualify for additional benefits
A small increase can add thousands of dollars per year.
The Most Common VA Ratings
Across all branches and eras of service, these are the most frequently assigned VA ratings:
10 Percent Rating
Often given for mild conditions with clear diagnoses but limited impact on daily function. Common examples include:
• Tinnitus
• Scars
• Mild back strain
• Limited joint pain
• Allergic rhinitis
20 Percent Rating
Assigned when symptoms are more persistent or affect mobility. Examples:
• Lumbar or cervical spine issues
• Certain knee or shoulder conditions
• Nerve impairments affecting one limb
30 Percent Rating
This level often applies when symptoms cause noticeable disruption to work or daily activities. Common examples:
• Migraines with monthly prostrating attacks
• Moderate mental health symptoms
• Asthma requiring inhaler use
50 Percent Rating
Assigned when a condition significantly impacts daily functioning. Examples:
• Sleep apnea requiring a CPAP
• Migraines with very frequent prostrating attacks
• Chronic mental health disorders with reduced reliability
70 Percent Rating
A major threshold that often opens the door to Individual Unemployability (TDIU). Examples:
• PTSD with occupational and social impairment
• Severe depression or anxiety
• Chronic back conditions with multiple nerve branches affected
100 Percent Rating
Given when a veteran’s symptoms prevent almost all forms of work or major life functions. Examples:
• Certain cancers
• Severe TBI
• Total mental health impairment
• Advanced neurological conditions
Each percentage carries different monthly compensation levels, which increase annually with COLA adjustments.
Why the VA Assigns These Ratings
The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), which measures:
• Frequency of symptoms
• Severity of impairment
• Loss of function
• Impact on mobility, work, and daily life
• Required medical treatments
Two veterans with similar diagnoses may receive different ratings based on how their symptoms affect them individually.
Understanding Combined Ratings
The VA does not simply add percentages together. Instead, it uses a calculation that measures remaining “healthy” efficiency after each rating is applied.
For example:
• A 50 percent rating leaves 50 percent “healthy”
• Adding a 30 percent rating applies 30 percent to the remaining 50
• The result becomes 65 percent, rounded to 70 percent
This is why many veterans end up at numbers like 70, 80, or 90 percent instead of 100.
When Veterans Should Consider Requesting an Increase
A higher rating may be justified if:
• Symptoms have worsened
• A doctor adjusted your treatment
• You developed a secondary condition
• You were previously underrrated
• Your condition impacts work more than before
Updated medical records often make the biggest difference.
Final Word
Understanding VA disability ratings empowers veterans to advocate for themselves. Whether you’re at 10 percent or 90 percent, knowing how ratings are assigned can help you prepare stronger claims, track worsening symptoms, and make informed decisions about your health and benefits.
