Layer hypothetical conditions onto your service-connected ratings. Watch combined rating and 2026 monthly compensation move under 38 CFR § 4.25.
Add a hypothetical condition + rating on top of your existing service-connected set. The simulator returns the new combined rating under 38 CFR § 4.25, the resulting monthly payat 2026 rates, and the benefits that unlock at the new tier. The math is “whole person” combining, not addition — a new 50% on top of an existing 70% nudges the combined value to 85%, not 120%.
Add your existing service-connected conditions first so the simulator can layer hypotheticals on top of your actual rating.
+ Add ConditionsEach disability rating acts only on the “healthy capacity” remaining after the previous ratings. A 30% rating on top of a 50% rating combines to 65%, not 80%.
The combined value is rounded to the nearest 10% only at the final step. A 67% combined value rounds up to 70%; a 64% combined value rounds down to 60%.
Paired-extremity disabilities (both knees, both arms) get an additional 10% multiplier applied to that subset before combining with the rest. Not modeled here — run /tools/va-math for the explicit bilateral path.
Single-veteran base rates effective Dec 1, 2025 after the 2.8% COLA. Dependent additions under § 1115 and SMC under § 1114(k)+ are not layered onto the simulated monthly figure.
The VA uses "whole person" math under 38 CFR § 4.25, not simple addition. Each disability rating is applied to whatever "healthy" capacity remains after the previous ratings. For example, two 50% ratings combine to 75%, not 100% — the second 50% only acts on the 50% remaining after the first. The combined value is then rounded to the nearest 10%.
Two reasons. First, VA math (38 CFR § 4.25) compresses the combined rating — a new 30% on top of an existing 70% only nudges the combined value from 70% to 79%, which rounds to 80%, not 100%. Second, the dollar gap between adjacent rating tiers narrows at the high end. The jump from 50% to 60% is roughly $300/month at 2026 single-vet rates, but 80% to 90% is only about $270.
Several thresholds matter. 50%+ enables free VA health care for all service-connected conditions and CHAMPVA for dependents in survivor cases. 60%+ qualifies for the Concurrent Receipt of Disability Pay (CRDP) when also retired. 70%+ raises priority for community care and Vet Tec. 100% schedular or TDIU unlocks Chapter 35 DEA for dependents, property-tax exemptions in many states, and CHAMPVA for current dependents.
The simulator runs combined-rating math against every common rating tier (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100) on top of your current set and reports the rating that would produce the biggest jump in 2026 monthly pay. The math reflects diminishing returns: when you are already at 70%+ combined, a small new rating may yield less than expected, while at 30% combined a new 50% rating typically produces a larger jump.
The simulator uses the 2026 base single-veteran rates from 38 USC § 1114(a)-(j) effective Dec 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA). Dependent additions under § 1115 and Special Monthly Compensation under § 1114(k)+ are not layered onto the simulated monthly figure. Run /smc and /rates for those.
No. This is an educational simulator using 38 CFR § 4.25 combined-rating math and 2026 published VA rates. Actual decisions depend on VA adjudication of evidence, exam findings, effective dates, and individual circumstances. Discuss with your doctor or an accredited representative.