Rating Your VA Disability

A lot of confusion arises from the VA’s ratings process that is hardly a simple and uniform system. The general idea behind the system is that its designed to be a monthly compensation designed to offset the degree to which the disability would impair the average civilian to earn a living, and no consideration is given to the Vet’s earning capacity. The ratings are to be based upon the average impairments of earning capacity resulting from such injuries in civil occupations. Under the system disability ratings are assigned at 10% increments. If a disability increases in severity then the vet should apply for an increase in evaluation of the service connected condition. One source of confusion is that, for example, three separate ratings are possible one service related injury that can lead to three separate ratings. So if you were to suffer from a shrapnel injury in service it could cause injuries to your eyes, a PTSD claim, and a hand injury, which could lead to three different ratings for one injury. This is certainly a confusing area even for lawyers, but the ratings for each type of impairment is explained in Code of Federal Regulations at 38 C.F.R. 4.25.