The bilateral factor (extra 10% added to combined disability rating)
applies when a veteran has disabilities on paired limbs and/or paired
skeletal muscles.
The disability ratings for paired legs, arms, and skeletal muscles
get calculated in their order of severity, resulting in one combined
disability rating.
Ten percent (10%) is added to the combined disability rating, then
rounded to the nearest integer (bilateral factor).
The bilateral factor is then combined in order of severity with the
individual factors.
STEP 1: Disability Rating
Enter disabilities that qualify for the bilateral factor (even 0%)
into the Bilateral Factors section. Condition names are optional.
Enter remaining disabilities into the Individual Factors section
(even 0%). The calculator will automatically enter the value of the
bilateral factor. Condition names are optional.
Receive Estimated Disability Rating value.
Note: For each section, the web app sorts the
disabilities in order of severity prior to calculating the Estimated
Disability Rating, so the order of input does not matter.
STEP 2: Disability Compensation
The calculator will automatically enter the Disability Rating value.
Answer dependent questions.
Receive Estimated Compensation value.
STEP 3: Print Results
To print only the results of the Rating section, click the "Print"
button located on the bottom of the Individual Factors section, near
the result.
If there are Bilateral Factors and Individual Factors, then make
sure both sections are open prior to printing.
If there are no Bilateral Factors, then click on the Bilateral
Factors tab to close that section prior to printing.
If there are no Individual Factors, then click on the Individual
Factors tab to close that section prior to printing.
To print only the results of the Compensation section, click the
"Print" button located on the bottom of the section, near the
result.
To print all results, make sure the tabs on both Rating sections are
open, then click the "Print All" button located on the bottom of the
Compensation section, near the result.
NOTE: When you leave this page or click refresh, all the values
you entered will be cleared.
Combined Bilaterals
Combined +10%
Rounded Bilateral %
Rounded Bilateral %
Cumulative Disability
Estimated Disability Rating
STEP 2: Determine Your Estimated Compensation
Estimated Compensation
Rates effective: 12/1/2025
Estimate Your Potential Back Pay
If the VA grants an increase effective retroactively, you may be owed a
lump-sum retroactive payment. Enter your current and proposed ratings
below to estimate what you could receive.
Dependency Status (use same status for the full period)
Questions about your back pay or effective dates?
Contact Bross & Frankel for a free consultation with a VA disability attorney.