One of the most common questions veterans ask before filing a disability claim is: "What rating will I actually get?" The honest answer is that VA ratings depend heavily on the severity of your specific symptoms — but there are typical ranges for most conditions that can help you set realistic expectations. This guide breaks down the VA's rating schedule by condition, explains how ratings are assigned, and shows you how multiple conditions interact to create your combined rating.
The VA assigns disability ratings using the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), codified at 38 CFR Part 4. Each condition has a diagnostic code with specific criteria for each rating level. The rating you receive is supposed to reflect the average impairment in earning capacity caused by your condition — not necessarily how bad it feels on your worst days, though symptom severity is heavily weighted.
Ratings are assigned in increments: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. A 0% rating means service connection is established but the condition isn't currently disabling enough to warrant compensation. It still matters — it establishes the service connection foundation you can build on later.
Two veterans with the same diagnosis can receive very different ratings based on their symptom severity. A veteran with PTSD who can function at work with medication might receive a 50% rating. A veteran with PTSD who cannot maintain employment and has severe social isolation might receive 70% or 100%. The diagnosis opens the door; the symptoms determine the rating.
Under VA regulations, raters are supposed to consider the full picture of your condition — including how it affects you during flare-ups, not just your average day. This is especially important for conditions with intermittent symptoms like PTSD, migraines, IBS, and back pain. Document your worst episodes in detail.
The ranges in this guide represent what veterans commonly receive for each condition. They are not guarantees. The actual rating depends on your specific symptom severity as documented in your medical records and C&P exam. Use this table as a starting point for research, not a definitive prediction.
Mental health conditions are rated under a General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130). All mental health diagnoses — PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder — are rated on the same scale based on occupational and social impairment.
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health | ||
| PTSD | 0% – 100% | Occupational/social impairment, frequency of symptoms, ability to work |
| Major Depressive Disorder | 0% – 100% | Same general formula as PTSD; severity of depressive episodes |
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder | 0% – 70% | Panic attacks, social functioning, work performance |
| Bipolar Disorder | 10% – 100% | Frequency of manic/depressive episodes, hospitalization history |
| Schizophrenia | 30% – 100% | Psychotic symptoms, ability to care for self, hospitalization |
| MST-related PTSD | 30% – 100% | Same formula; service connection via MST does not require documented in-service report |
| TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) | 0% – 100% | Cognitive deficits, behavioral changes, memory loss, headaches, residuals |
Musculoskeletal conditions are the most commonly claimed VA disabilities. Ratings are typically based on range of motion measurements, pain on use, and functional loss. The VA uses a specific measurement system — degrees of motion — to determine ratings for joints and spine.
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Spine & Back | ||
| Lumbar spine (lower back) | 10% – 100% | Range of motion degrees, pain, muscle spasm, incapacitating episodes per year |
| Cervical spine (neck) | 10% – 100% | Range of motion, radiculopathy, neurological symptoms |
| Thoracic spine (mid-back) | 10% – 50% | Motion limitation, pain, vertebral fracture history |
| Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) | 10% – 60% | Based on incapacitating episodes per year requiring bed rest |
| Knees | ||
| Knee — limitation of flexion | 10% – 30% | Degrees of flexion available; less than 30° = 30% |
| Knee — instability (ligament damage) | 10% – 30% | Mild/moderate/severe instability on exam |
| Patellofemoral syndrome | 10% – 20% | Pain, functional impairment, range of motion |
| Knee replacement (TKA) | 100% initially, then 30%+ | 100% for one year post-surgery, then based on residual range of motion |
| Shoulders | ||
| Shoulder — limitation of motion | 10% – 40% | Degrees of flexion/abduction; dominant vs. non-dominant arm matters |
| Rotator cuff tear | 20% – 40% | Severity of tear, surgical repair status, residual range of motion |
| Shoulder replacement | 30% – 60% | Based on residual symptoms and range of motion post-surgery |
| Hips, Ankles & Feet | ||
| Hip — limitation of motion | 10% – 40% | Degrees of flexion; bilateral involvement increases rating |
| Hip replacement | 100% initially, then 30%+ | 100% for one year post-surgery |
| Ankle — limitation of motion | 10% – 20% | Plantar flexion range, pain, instability |
| Flat feet (pes planus) | 0% – 50% | Bilateral vs. unilateral, pain, use of orthopedic devices, weight-bearing capacity |
| Upper Extremities | ||
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | 10% – 30% | Dominant vs. non-dominant hand, grip strength, numbness, surgical status |
| Epicondylitis (tennis/golfer's elbow) | 0% – 20% | Pain, range of motion limitation, grip strength |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Heart & Vascular | ||
| Ischemic heart disease (IHD) | 10% – 100% | METs on stress test, EF%, chest pain frequency, workload tolerance |
| Hypertension (high blood pressure) | 0% – 60% | Diastolic/systolic readings on multiple exams; 0% common if controlled by meds |
| Heart failure / cardiomyopathy | 30% – 100% | Ejection fraction, exercise tolerance, hospitalization frequency |
| Arrhythmia / atrial fibrillation | 10% – 30% | Frequency of episodes, cardiac workup results |
| Metabolic & Endocrine | ||
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 10% – 100% | Insulin dependence, regulation difficulty, episodes of hypoglycemia, complications |
| Hypothyroidism | 0% – 30% | Controlled by meds vs. myxedema symptoms |
| Obesity-related conditions | N/A (secondary only) | Rated through secondary conditions; obesity itself is not directly ratable |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Peripheral neuropathy | 10% – 100% | Mild (10%) to complete paralysis (100%); which nerves involved |
| Migraines | 0% – 50% | Frequency of prostrating attacks; 0%=infrequent, 50%=very frequent with economic inadaptability |
| Seizure disorder (epilepsy) | 10% – 100% | Frequency of major/minor seizures per year |
| Multiple sclerosis | 30% – 100% | Exacerbation frequency, level of neurological deficit |
| Parkinson's disease | 30% – 100% | Motor function, tremor severity, ability to perform daily activities |
| Vertigo / Meniere's disease | 30% – 100% | Frequency of prostrating attacks, hearing loss involvement |
| Fibromyalgia | 10% – 40% | Pain on all-over exam, fatigue, sleep disturbance, daily functioning |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) | 10% – 100% | Exercise capacity, work capacity, frequency of debilitating fatigue episodes |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep apnea (OSA) | 0% – 100% | 0% if asymptomatic; 30% requiring CPAP; 50% with chronic respiratory failure; 100% with cor pulmonale |
| Asthma | 10% – 100% | FEV1%, DLCO%, frequency of attacks, hospitalization, steroid use |
| COPD / Emphysema | 10% – 100% | FEV1%, FVC%, exercise tolerance (METs) |
| Sinusitis (chronic) | 0% – 50% | Pansinusitis vs. unilateral; surgical history; frequency of incapacitating episodes |
| Rhinitis / allergic rhinitis | 0% – 30% | Olfactory disturbance, polyp involvement, nasal obstruction |
| Burn pit / toxic exposure lung conditions | 10% – 100% | Covered under PACT Act (2022) as presumptives for post-9/11 veterans |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| GERD / acid reflux | 10% – 60% | Symptoms with medications, hiatal hernia, erosive esophagitis |
| Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | 0% – 30% | Diarrhea frequency, constipation, pain frequency, weight loss |
| Crohn's disease / ulcerative colitis | 10% – 100% | Flare frequency, hospitalizations, surgical history, nutrition status |
| Hemorrhoids | 0% – 20% | Internal/external, bleeding frequency, surgical history |
| Peptic ulcer disease | 10% – 60% | Symptoms, hospitalization frequency, surgical history |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Tinnitus | 10% (bilateral) / 10% (unilateral) | Maximum 10% regardless of number of ears; one of the most commonly claimed VA conditions |
| Hearing loss (sensorineural) | 0% – 100% | Based on pure-tone average and speech discrimination scores on audiology exam |
| Vision loss / visual impairment | 0% – 100% | Visual acuity in each eye; field of vision; light sensitivity |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Eczema / atopic dermatitis | 0% – 60% | Body surface area affected; systemic therapy requirements; constant refractory skin disease |
| Psoriasis | 0% – 60% | Same as eczema scale; extent and chronicity of flares |
| Burn scars | 10% – 80% | Area affected, whether scars are unstable, pain, functional limitation |
| Skin cancer (non-melanoma) | 0% – 100% | Rated on surgical scars or underlying organ involvement after treatment |
| Condition | Typical Rating Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Erectile dysfunction (ED) | 0% (SMC eligible) | ED itself rates 0%, but qualifies for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) — a separate monthly add-on payment |
| Kidney disease / nephropathy | 30% – 100% | Creatinine levels, BUN, dialysis requirement |
| Urinary incontinence | 20% – 60% | Frequency of involuntary episodes, need for pads/devices |
| Prostate conditions (benign) | 0% – 40% | Voiding difficulty, retention, obstruction |
Active cancers are typically rated at 100% while in active treatment. Once in remission, the VA rates on the residual effects. Many cancers are presumptive conditions for specific groups of veterans (Agent Orange, burn pit, radiation exposure, etc.).
| Condition | Rating During Treatment | Rating After Remission |
|---|---|---|
| Prostate cancer | 100% | Based on residuals (ED, incontinence, fatigue); minimum 10% for 6 months post-treatment |
| Bladder cancer | 100% | Based on urinary residuals; cystectomy may qualify for SMC |
| Lung cancer | 100% | Based on pulmonary residuals |
| Colon / rectal cancer | 100% | Colostomy rates separately; residual GI symptoms |
| Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | 100% | Residuals; presumptive for Agent Orange veterans |
| Leukemia / blood cancers | 100% | Residuals; multiple presumptive pathways available |
| Melanoma / skin cancers | 100% during active treatment | Based on surgical scars and residuals |
Here is the critical concept most veterans misunderstand: VA ratings don't add up like regular math. If you have a 40% rating and a 30% rating, your combined rating is NOT 70%. The VA uses the "whole person" method, also called the combined ratings table.
The idea is that you only have 100% of your body to be disabled. Each rating reduces the remaining healthy percentage. Here's how it works:
This is why veterans with four or five conditions in the 30%–50% range often end up with a combined rating significantly lower than the simple sum. Getting your most severe condition rated as high as possible is critical, because it creates the largest reduction in the base.
If you have the same condition on both sides of the body (both knees, both ankles, both shoulders), VA regulations require adding a 10% bilateral factor bonus before combining those ratings with your other conditions. This is a meaningful boost — make sure it's applied to your claim.
A veteran with 50% PTSD, 20% lower back, 10% right knee, and 10% tinnitus does NOT have a 90% combined rating. Using the whole person formula, the actual combined rating is approximately 68%, which rounds to 70%. Every individual percentage point matters — especially at the top.
Understanding the ratings table is only the beginning. Getting the rating you actually deserve requires aggressive documentation and preparation:
Use claim.vet's free disability calculator to see what your conditions should be worth — and get personalized guidance on filing or appealing your claim.
Get Free Claim Help → Estimate Your Rating →Tinnitus (10%) is the most commonly claimed individual VA disability condition, followed by hearing loss, limited knee flexion, and PTSD. However, most veterans with service-connected conditions have multiple ratings that combine to a higher number.
Yes. PTSD, TBI, cancer during treatment, ischemic heart disease, diabetes with complications, and several other conditions can individually qualify for a 100% rating based on symptom severity.
A 0% rating pays no monthly compensation but does important things: it establishes service connection, making future rating increases possible; it may qualify you for free VA healthcare for that condition; and it strengthens claims for secondary conditions caused by the service-connected problem.
They are separate programs. VA ratings do not automatically qualify you for SSDI or SSI, and vice versa. However, evidence of severe conditions used in a 100% VA rating may support a Social Security claim.