The VA disability cheat sheet is a quick-reference guide to the rules, ratings, and dollar amounts that matter most for veterans in 2026. Bookmark this page or share it with a buddy starting a claim.
2026 VA disability pay rates (quick view)
| Rating | Monthly (alone) | Monthly (with spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $175.51 |
| 30% | $537.42 | $601.42 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,208.04 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,908.19 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $4,044.91 |
VA combined rating math (cheat formula)
- Sort your ratings from highest to lowest.
- Start with 100% efficiency.
- Subtract the highest rating from 100. Take that percent of what's left for the next rating.
- Round the final number to the nearest 10.
Example: 50 + 30 + 20.
- 100 − 50 = 50 left.
- 30% of 50 = 15. 50 + 15 = 65.
- 100 − 65 = 35 left. 20% of 35 = 7. 65 + 7 = 72.
- Round 72 → 70%.
Top 10 claimed VA conditions
- Tinnitus — flat 10%
- Hearing loss — 0–100%
- Lumbar strain — 10–50%
- PTSD — 0–100%
- Knee limitation — 0–30%
- Sleep apnea — 0/30/50/100%
- Migraines — 0/10/30/50%
- Painful scars — 10/20/30%
- Hypertension — 10/20/40/60%
- Sciatica/radiculopathy — 10–80%
Important VA forms cheat list
- 21-526EZ — main disability claim.
- 21-4138 — buddy and lay statements.
- 21-0781 — PTSD stressor statement.
- 21-8940 — TDIU application.
- 21-0966 — Intent to File.
Key deadlines
- Intent to File — 12 months to file the formal claim.
- BDD claim — file 180 to 90 days before separation.
- Higher-Level Review / Supplemental claim — 1 year from VA decision letter.
- Board appeal — 1 year from decision letter.
Where to get help
- VSO — free. Use VFW, DAV, American Legion, or state-level service officers.
- Accredited VA attorney — usually for appeals.
- VA.gov — file online, track status, upload evidence.
- VA hotline — 1-800-827-1000.
VA Combined Ratings Math: A Worked Example
The VA does not add your ratings together; it combines them using a descending-efficiency method in 38 CFR 4.25. This is why 50 percent plus 30 percent does not equal 80 percent. Each new disability only affects the ability you have left after the prior one.
Step-by-Step: 50% and 30%
- Start with your most disabling condition first: 50 percent. That leaves you 50 percent efficient.
- Apply the 30 percent disability to the 50 percent that remains. 30 percent of 50 is 15.
- Add that 15 to the first 50. You now reach 65 percent combined.
- Round to the nearest 10. 65 rounds up to 70 percent.
So 50 percent and 30 percent combine to 70 percent, not 80 percent. You can check any combination with our VA disability rating calculator.
Rounding and the Bilateral Factor
The VA rounds your final combined value to the nearest number divisible by 10. Values ending in 5 round upward, so 75 becomes 80. The bilateral factor in 38 CFR 4.26 applies when paired limbs are affected, such as both legs or both arms.
A Quick Word on SMC
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is extra pay beyond the rating schedule for severe losses. It can apply to things like loss of use of a limb or the need for daily aid and attendance. SMC is paid on top of, not instead of, your combined rating pay.
Combined Ratings FAQ
Why isn't my pay based on a simple sum? Because 38 CFR 4.25 uses efficiency math, not addition. No single set of disabilities can exceed 100 percent.
Does order matter? Yes. The VA always combines from the highest rating down to the lowest. Verify current pay amounts on VA.gov.