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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) calculates the bilateral factor by combining the ratings for your paired limbs and adding 10% of that combined value. At Rank and Pay, we built this VA bilateral factor calculator to run those steps, show your result with and without the factor, and keep the higher one. The bilateral total counts as one rating, which VA combines with your other ratings in order of severity and rounds to the nearest 10.
How the Bilateral Factor Is Calculated
The bilateral factor adds 10% to the combined value of your paired-limb ratings before any other combining happens, under Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 4.26. VA arranges ratings in order of severity. It combines them with Table I, the Combined Ratings Table in 38 CFR 4.25.
Table I works on remaining efficiency. A person with a 60% disability is treated as 40% efficient. A further 30% disability leaves 70% of that 40%, which is 28% efficiency, so the combined value is 72.
The full calculation runs in five steps:
- Combine the bilateral ratings with each other using Table I.
- Add 10% of that combined value to it. This step is plain addition, and Table I is not used for it.
- Round the result to a whole number and treat it as one rating.
- Arrange that rating with your other ratings in order of severity and combine them with Table I, highest first.
- Round the final combined value to the nearest 10. A value ending in 5 rounds up, so 65 becomes 70, while 52 becomes 50.
VA uses the "whole person theory," so your total rating cannot go above 100%, as its About disability ratings page explains.
The regulation's own example uses ratings of 60%, 20%, 10% and 10%, with the two 10% ratings bilateral. The two 10% ratings combine to 19. Ten percent of 19 is 1.9, so the bilateral value is 20.9, used as 21.
That puts the order of severity at 60, 21 and 20. Sixty and 21 combine to 68. Then 68 and 20 combine to 74, which converts to a 70% rating.
The calculator opens with a second example: two 40% knee ratings, both marked bilateral. They combine to 64. Ten percent of 64 is 6.4, so the value is 70.4, used as 70, which is a 70% rating.
| With bilateral factor | Without bilateral factor | |
|---|---|---|
| Combined value | 70 | 64 |
| Final rating | 70% | 60% |
| 2026 monthly pay, veteran alone | $1,808.45 | $1,435.02 |
Without the factor, 64 rounds down to a 60% rating. The bilateral factor is worth $373.43 a month in this example, or $4,481.16 over 12 months at the 2026 rates.
What Counts as Bilateral
The bilateral factor applies when you have a partial disability of compensable degree on both sides of a pair: both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. Under 38 CFR 4.26(a), "arms" and "legs" mean the whole upper or lower extremity. The rule does not split the arm, forearm and hand into separate pairs, and it treats the thigh, leg and foot the same way.
A compensable disability of the right thigh and one of the left foot qualifies as bilateral. When both arms and both legs are affected, 4.26(b) has VA combine the ratings for all four extremities in order of severity and add 10% of that combined value.
Rule 4.26(c) requires compensable partial disability in each of the two paired extremities or muscles. The calculator ignores 0% ratings. It applies the factor only when at least two ratings are marked bilateral.
Sometimes the bilateral factor produces a lower combined evaluation than leaving one or more bilateral disabilities out of it. Rule 4.26(d) says those disabilities come out of the factor and are combined separately, so the veteran gets the most favorable result. The calculator tests leaving some bilateral ratings out and keeps whichever result is higher.
If none of your ratings sit on paired limbs or muscles, the factor does not apply. Use the VA disability rating calculator instead, since it handles combined ratings and dependents without the bilateral step. For the full rule text in plain language, read our bilateral factor explainer. If your ratings are for both knees, our bilateral knee guide covers those conditions.
How to Use the Calculator
Each condition gets its own row with a rating dropdown from 0% to 100% in steps of 10. Each row also has a checkbox labelled "Bilateral (arm, leg or paired muscle)". Click "+ Add Condition" for another row, or "Remove" to delete one.
The VA bilateral factor calculator opens with two 40% ratings, both marked bilateral, so the first result you see is the knee example above. The "Your dependents" box has five fields:
- Spouse (checkbox)
- Spouse receives Aid and Attendance (checkbox)
- Children under 18 (number)
- Children 18 to 23 in school (number)
- Dependent parents (None, 1 parent or 2 parents)
The results show "VA Rating With Bilateral Factor" and "Without Bilateral Factor," each with its combined value. "Est. Monthly Pay (2026)" lists your rate with the dependent lines. A step-by-step list shows each combination in order, and the "Copy result" button copies the result so you can save it.
VA pays more for a spouse, children and dependent parents only at a 30% rating or higher. At 10% and 20%, entering dependents does not change the pay.
VA starts from the basic rate for your rating and dependent status, which covers one child. It then adds an amount for each additional child and for a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance.
Take a 70% rating with a spouse and two children under 18. The 2026 rate for a spouse and one child is $2,074.45, and the second child adds $76.00, for $2,150.45 a month. At 70%, each additional child over 18 in a qualifying school program adds $246.00, and a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance adds $141.00.
When the Result Can Differ from Your VA Letter
VA decides your rating, and the calculator gives an estimate. The figure can differ from your decision letter in these situations:
- One side of a pair is not rated at a compensable degree, so 4.26(c) keeps the bilateral factor from applying.
- You receive special monthly compensation (SMC), which the calculator does not cover.
- You are paid under total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), which the calculator also does not cover.
If your letter shows a lower combined rating than the calculator, an accredited representative can review it with you. VA lists Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives, claims agents and attorneys in its accreditation search. For back pay, use the VA back pay calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does VA calculate bilateral compensation rate?
VA pays the bilateral factor through your combined rating. It combines your paired-limb ratings, adds 10% of that value, combines the result with your other ratings, and rounds to the nearest 10. VA then pays the rate for that rating and your dependent status from its compensation rates page.
What counts as bilateral for the VA bilateral factor?
Compensable partial disabilities on both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles count as bilateral. An arm or leg means the whole extremity, so a right thigh and a left foot qualify together. Both sides need a compensable rating under 38 CFR 4.26(c).
Does the VA apply the bilateral factor automatically?
Under 38 CFR 4.26, the bilateral factor is a required step in combining ratings whenever both sides of a pair carry compensable disabilities. If your letter's combined rating is lower than the calculator's, ask an accredited representative from the VA accreditation search to compare the two.
Can the bilateral factor change my rating?
Yes, the bilateral factor can raise your final rating, as in the two 40% knee ratings that move from 60% to 70%. It does not always change the result. In the regulation's 60, 20, 10 and 10 example, combining without the factor gives 68, then 71, then 74, which is still 70%.
Does this calculator include dependents?
Yes, it includes a spouse, a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance, children under 18, children 18 to 23 in school, and dependent parents. Dependents raise the pay only at a 30% rating or higher. Enter your family in the "Your dependents" box, then click "Copy result" to save your 2026 estimate.