Military Disability Rating
Topics:
Military Disability Rating
Military Disability Ratings Given to Individual Conditions
The Total Combined Military Disability Rating
DoD Ratings vs VA Ratings
Military Disability Rating
A “Military Disability Rating” refers to the percentage assigned to a medical condition by the Rating Authorities. Both the VA and the DoD use Military Disability Ratings to determine the amount of Military Disability Benefits a Disabled Veteran should receive for their conditions.
The percentage of the Military Disability Rating is intended to reflect the degree to which the condition impairs the veteran’s ability to work, or, in the case of mental health conditions, the degree to which the condition impairs a service member’s ability to interact with others in a social setting. All Military Disability Ratings range from 0% to 100%, rounding off to the nearest 10 (you can’t get a 33% Military Disability Rating—it would be rounded down to 30%). The higher the percentage, the worse the disability.
Basically, if a condition is extremely serious and the veteran is unable to perform at all in an occupational or social setting, they will receive a 100% Military Disability Rating. If the condition is not serious and the veteran is able to work and perform the required tasks of daily life with no real problems, they will receive a 0% Military Disability Rating.
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Military Disability Ratings Given to Individual Conditions
Each condition that qualifies is given its own Military Disability Rating. All conditions must be service-connected to qualify, although conditions must also make the service member Unfit for Duty to qualify to receive a Military Disability Rating through the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for DoD Disability.
There are also a number of laws in place to determine whether or not a specific condition qualifies to receive a Military Disability Rating. These laws are discussed throughout this website, and as you research your conditions, you should be able to figure out which qualify and which don’t. To give you a head start, though, check out the VASRD Principles and the Conditions That Are Not Ratable pages.
The Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) is the law that determines exactly what percentage (or “rating”) a particular condition of a certain seriousness is given. We discuss each condition in detail. Find Your Condition on our site to determine what Military Disability Rating it should receive.
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The Total Combined Military Disability Rating
Once all the conditions a veteran has that qualify are assigned their Military Disability Ratings, then all the Military Disability Ratings are combined using VA Math to give the veteran a single overall Military Disability Rating. Thistotal combined Military Disability Rating is then used to determine the exact type and monetary amount of Military Disability Benefits the veteran receives.
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DoD Ratings vs VA Ratings
The DoD gives Military Disability Ratings only once: at the time a service member is separated from the military. These ratings are based on the severity of the service member’s conditions at the time of separation. If the veteran does not agree with the Military Disability Ratings for DoD Disability, they can submit an appeal to have their ratings changed, but they will only be judged based on their severity at the time of separation.
The VA first gives Military Disability Ratings after a service member is separated from the military, but these ratings can continually be updated to reflect any changes to the conditions over time. If a condition is expected to worsen or improve, the VA may schedule periodic re-evaluations in order to update the rating. If they’d like, the veteran can also contact the VA at any time to have their conditions re-evaluated and the ratings updated.
If a veteran does not agree with their Military Disability Ratings from the VA, they can submit an appeal to have their ratings changed.
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FAQs
What is a Military Disability Rating?
Military Disability Ratings are percentages assigned to a veteran's medical conditions to determine their VA Disability and DoD Disability benefits. The ratings are meant to reflect the severity of the conditions. The higher the rating percentage, the more compensation the veteran receives for the condition.
Are my conditions eligible for a rating?
The VA will rate every condition you have as long as you can prove service-connection. For the DoD, the condition must also make you unfit for duty.
How do I apply to receive my ratings?
If you have not yet been discharged, you can apply for both DoD and VA ratings at the same time through the IDES system. To start the process, you must be referred to the MEB by your military physician. If you are already a veteran, you can apply for ratings from the VA by submitting a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim.
If my claim is approved, what benefits will I receive?
From the VA, you will receive a monthly payment as well as full medical care from the VA for the qualifying conditions. From the DoD, you will receive a single separation payment if your rating is 20% or less. For ratings 30% and above, you'll receive full retirement benefits.
How long does it take to receive my disability benefits?
The IDES process takes about 6 months to complete. If you are only applying to the VA, brand new claims usually take 3-6 months to process. Once processed, you will start receiving payments in 1-3 months.
How are rating percentages assigned?
All ratings are assigned to conditions using the rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The VASRD gives rating rules for conditions based on their symptoms, treatment options, and the resulting level of disability they cause.
How much money will my rating get me monthly?
For VA disability, the exact amount you receive monthly will depend on your total combined rating and if you have any dependents. You can find the VA's current rates on our VA Disability Chart page for all percentage levels and options. For DoD Disability, the exact amount of your payment(s) can be figured using a different equation for medical separations and medical retirements. See our DoD Disability page for full details.
How do I increase my rating percentages?
If an incorrect rating was assigned, you can appeal the rating decision, providing proof that you qualify for a higher rating. For VA-only, if your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim, checking the box for an increased evaluation.
