The Whole Person Method
| Disability | Rating | Whole Person Remaining | Combined So Far |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (PTSD) | 70% | 30 remaining | 70% |
| 2nd (Back) | 30% of 30 | 21 remaining | 79% |
| 3rd (Knee) | 10% of 21 | 18.9 remaining | 81.1% → 80% |
| Final Combined Rating (rounded to nearest 10) | 80% | ||
VA Rounding Rules
Round to Nearest 10%
After calculating the combined rating, the VA rounds to the nearest 10%. Values ending in 5–9 round up; 1–4 round down. So 81.1% rounds to 80%; 85% rounds to 90%.
The "Rounding Up" Exception
There is an important exception: if you are a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities, the combined evaluation will always be rounded up if the resulting fraction is 0.5 or higher. This applies to the final step only.
Why You May Never Reach 100% Schedular
Because each additional rating only applies to the remaining "whole person," ratings mathematically converge toward 100% but never reach it purely through combination. Getting to 100% schedular typically requires one condition rated very high (90%+) or TDIU.
When the Math Matters Most
Close to 70% with TDIU Opportunity
If your combined rating is 60%–69% with one disability at 40%+, you may qualify for TDIU ($3,938.58/month) — which pays the same as a 100% schedular rating. The jump from 60% pay to 100% pay is worth $2,863/month.
TDIU Eligibility →Strategic Filing Order
The order disabilities are listed does not change the final combined rating — the VA always applies the highest rating first regardless of listing order. However, having individual ratings spread out (e.g., 60% + 30% + 20% + 10%) often produces a better combined outcome than having one large rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my combined rating ever reach 100% from combination alone?
Mathematically, the whole person method approaches but never reaches 100% through pure combination. In practice, a very high first disability (e.g., 90%) combined with others can produce a combined result that rounds to 100%. Most veterans who reach 100% schedular do so by having one condition rated at 100% individually, or through TDIU.
Does the order I list my disabilities matter?
No — the VA always applies the highest-rated disability first in the calculation, regardless of the order you list them. The final combined rating is identical regardless of listing order.
How does bilateral factor work?
If you have disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles, the VA applies a 10% "bilateral factor" to those paired disabilities before combining them into the overall rating. This provides a slightly better combined rating for symmetrical disabilities.