All disabled veterans do not get the same compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Even veterans who served in the same unit and who suffer the same type of disability may recover different amounts of veterans’ disability benefits.
The specific amount of compensation that you receive from the VA for your service related disabilities partially depends on your disability rating—a number that ranges from zero percent to one hundred percent. Disability ratings are made in 10% increments. Thus, you may be considered 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% disabled. Those with a 0% disability rating are not considered disabled, while those with a 100% disability rating are considered the most disabled.
How Is the Disability Percentage Determined?
Your disability rating is usually determined through a medical examination conducted through the VA. During this exam, a medical professional associated with the VA will evaluate your mental and physical health while following a number of specific guidelines to determine your disability rating.
If you have more than one disability connected with your military service, those disabilities will be rated individually and then combined using a chart (not just added together). If you have a disability that seems to fall between two different disability ratings, the VA will choose the higher disability rating. As is the case with a single disability, your disability rating for multiple disabilities must be an increment of 10.
Make Sure Your Disability Rating Is Right
It is vital that your disabilities are rated correctly if you would like to receive fair compensation for your sacrifices. If you believe that you did not receive a fair disability rating or that you deserve more VA disability compensation, speak to our Texas disability attorneys today about your case. We will review your case with you and, if appropriate, advocate for your right to recover additional benefits. To learn more, please contact us any time—via this website or by phone—to schedule a confidential consultation.
by Paul B. Burkhalter Managing Partner of Morgan Weisbrod , Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.