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 is a 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 and function in daily life.
Military Disability Ratings range from 0% to 100%, and are always rounded off to the nearest 10 (20%, 30%, etc). The higher the percentage, the worse the disability.
Basically, if a condition is so severe that the veteran is unable to work or perform the Activities of Daily Living, they will receive a 100% Military Disability Rating. If the veteran is able to work and perform the Activities of Daily Living satisfactorily, 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. To qualify for VA Disability, a condition must be service-connected. For DoD Disability, the condition must be service-connected and must also make the service member Unfit for Duty. There are, however, some Conditions That Are Not Ratable even if they meet these requirements.
Once a condition qualifies, it can then be given a Military Disability Rating based on the rules of the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The VASRD is the law that determines exactly what percentage (or “rating”) a particular condition of a certain severity is given.
We discuss how to rate each condition in detail on our site. Find Your Condition to determine what Military Disability Rating it should receive. Make sure you understand the VASRD Principles in order to ensure that your conditions are rated correctly.
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The Total Combined Military Disability Rating
Once all of a veteran’s qualifying conditions are assigned a Military Disability Rating, then the Military Disability Ratings are combined using VA Math to give the veteran a single overall Military Disability Rating. This total 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 their Military Disability Ratings given by the DoD, they can submit an appeal to have their ratings reviewed by a second authority.
The VA gives Military Disability Ratings once a veteran applies for disability benefits. 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 apply to 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 reviewed.
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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.
