About this tool
About VA Math Calculator
Why this exists
Most VA disability calculators are law-firm lead funnels. They want your email, phone number, and claim status before they show you a single number. The results often come with a follow-up call asking if you want representation. The math is secondary to the lead.
This site flips that. The math runs entirely in your browser — no server, no account, no follow-up email. You can verify this yourself: open DevTools → Network tab and watch the requests while you enter ratings. Nothing leaves your device.
We built this because veterans deserve a clean, correct, private answer to a simple question: "Given my ratings, what does VA math say I should be getting?"
Who built this
Built by Nandu, software engineer and veteran advocate.
After helping a family member navigate a VA disability claim — and watching them get confused by incorrect third-party calculators — this tool was built to implement the actual regulations correctly. Every formula comes directly from the Code of Federal Regulations with citations so you can verify the source yourself.
Questions, corrections, or a rate error? Contact us — we respond to every factual correction within 48 hours.
How the numbers are sourced
Every rate, formula, and threshold in this calculator traces directly to an authoritative primary source:
- 2026 base compensation rates — from VA.gov compensation rates page, effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA per SSA announcement October 2025).
- With-dependent rates — from VA.gov tables for veteran with spouse, children under 18, school-age children (18–23), and dependent parents.
- SMC rates — from VA.gov SMC rates page (SMC-K through R2/T).
- Combined rating formula — implements 38 CFR §4.25 (combined ratings table, whole-person formula).
- Bilateral factor — implements 38 CFR §4.26, including the §4.26(d) higher-path rule.
- TDIU eligibility screen — implements schedular thresholds from 38 CFR §4.16(a).
- SMC eligibility flags — based on qualifying conditions listed in 38 CFR §3.350.
How calculations are validated
We validate the calculator against three reference points:
- VA's own Combined Ratings Table — The original two-condition results match the published table in 38 CFR Part 4 appendix exactly.
- Manual calculation cross-checks — Multi-condition scenarios are hand-calculated using the sequential formula and compared to calculator output. Any discrepancy triggers a code review.
- Rate verification — Each December, the new COLA rates are pulled directly from VA.gov and manually entered with source links. The previous year's rates are archived for back-pay calculations.
Found a calculation error? Report it here with the specific input that produces the wrong output and we will investigate and fix within 48 hours.
Our stance
This tool produces estimates, not decisions. VA raters consider evidence your doctor submitted, C&P exam findings, DBQs, buddy statements, and years of VA case law that no web calculator can replicate. Use this tool to understand what the math should produce — then verify with VA.gov and a free Veterans Service Officer (VSO).
VSOs from DAV, VFW, American Legion, and your state's department of veterans affairs provide free assistance filing and appealing claims. We recommend them over paid representatives for straightforward claims.
We have no affiliation with any VA-accredited claims agent, attorney, or law firm. We accept no referral fees. The only monetization is display advertising.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Added condition-specific rating guides (PTSD, tinnitus, sleep apnea, knee, back, migraines, hypertension, diabetes, hearing loss, depression/anxiety, shoulder, neck). |
| Dec 2025 | Updated all rates to 2026 values (2.8% COLA, effective Dec 1, 2025). SMC-K updated to $139.87, SMC-S to $4,408.53, SMC-R2/T to $11,271.67. |
| Oct 2025 | Added TDIU eligibility screen and SMC-K/S flags to calculator output. |
| Jul 2025 | Added bilateral factor (§4.26) with §4.26(d) higher-path logic. |
| Jan 2025 | Initial launch with 38 CFR §4.25 combined rating formula and 2025 rates. |
FAQ
How often are the rates updated?
Every December when the SSA announces the annual COLA. The 2026 rates (2.8% COLA, effective Dec 1, 2025) are current as of June 2026. We update within 24 hours of the official VA publication.
Is the calculator accurate for every veteran?
The calculator implements 38 CFR §4.25 (combined ratings), §4.26 (bilateral factor), and §4.16(a) (TDIU schedular thresholds) exactly as written in regulation. Results are estimates — your actual rating depends on VA raters, C&P exam findings, and case-specific evidence that no online tool can fully account for.
Does the site collect any of my ratings data?
No. The entire calculation runs in JavaScript inside your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. Open DevTools → Network tab while using the calculator and you will see zero requests related to your input. Your data never leaves your device.