Combined ratings / 30% and 20%
38 CFR 4.25 Table I · checked 2026-10-20
30% and 20% VA rating combined
A 30% and a 20% rating combine to 44, which VA rounds down to 40%. The 20% is not added to the 30%: it takes 20% of the 70% efficiency the first rating leaves, which is 14 points. At 40% a veteran alone receives $795.84 a month and a veteran with a spouse $882.84.
- 1First rating 30 squares
- 220% of what is left 14 squares
- 3Efficiency left 56%
- 4Combined rating 40%
The arithmetic, step by step
- Order by severity: 30% first, then 20%.
- After the 30% rating, 70% efficiency is left. The 20% rating takes 20% of that: 20 × 70 ÷ 100 = 14.
- 30 + 14 = 44. That is the figure printed in Table I at row 30, column 20.
- Round once to the nearest 10, values ending in 5 going up: 44 becomes 40%.
Because 44 ends in 4, it rounds down. The 20% still lifts the rating 10 points above the 30% alone. One more 10% rating would lift it to 50, rated 50%.
Added together, the two ratings would make 50. VA's method gives 40, 10 points less. The gap grows with the size of the ratings, because each later rating works on a smaller remainder.
What 40% pays
At 40%, VA's table effective December 1, 2025 pays $795.84 a month to a veteran alone, $882.84 with a spouse, and $947.84 with a spouse and one child under 18. Compared with 30% alone ($552.47), the pair adds $243.37 a month for a veteran with no dependents. The 40% pay page lists every dependent row.
If a third rating is added
A third 10% rating would combine with 44, not with 40: 44 and 10 give 50, rated 50%, one step up. The smallest single rating that moves this pair up a step is 10%, reaching 50 and 50% ($1,132.90 a month alone).
If the two ratings are on paired limbs
When the 30% and the 20% are on the left and right leg (or both arms), 38 CFR 4.26 adds a bilateral factor: 30 and 20 combine to 44, plus 10% of that gives 48, rated 50%. Here the factor moves the rating from 40% to 50%, worth $1,132.90 a month alone instead of $795.84. The bilateral factor guide has the full rule.
Conditions that are rated at 30% and 20%
Diagnostic codes on this site with a 30% level include Vertigo (peripheral vestibular disorder) (DC 6204), Meniere's disease (DC 6205), PTSD (DC 9411), Shoulder replacement (DC 5051), Hip replacement (DC 5054), Knee replacement (DC 5055), Shoulder (arm) limitation of motion (DC 5201), Elbow (forearm) limitation of flexion (DC 5206), Back strain (lumbosacral or cervical strain) (DC 5237), Knee instability (DC 5257), Knee limitation of flexion (DC 5260), Knee limitation of extension (DC 5261), Flat feet (pes planus) (DC 5276), Plantar fasciitis (DC 5269), Foot injury (other) (DC 5284), Hip (thigh) limitation of flexion (DC 5252), Migraines (DC 8100), Carpal tunnel (median nerve) (DC 8515), Common peroneal nerve (foot drop) (DC 8521), Sleep apnea (DC 6847), Asthma (DC 6602), COPD (DC 6604), Allergic rhinitis (DC 6522), Chronic sinusitis (DC 6510-6514), Supraventricular arrhythmia (incl. AFib) (DC 7010), GERD (acid reflux) (DC 7206), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (DC 7319), Hernia (inguinal, ventral, umbilical) (DC 7338), Scars of the head, face or neck (DC 7800), Deep scars (not head, face or neck) (DC 7801), Painful or unstable scars (DC 7804), Eczema (dermatitis) (DC 7806), Prostate conditions (voiding dysfunction) (DC 7527), TMJ (temporomandibular disorder) (DC 9905). A 20% level appears in Degenerative arthritis, Shoulder (arm) limitation of motion, Elbow (forearm) limitation of flexion, Back strain (lumbosacral or cervical strain), Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Knee instability, Knee limitation of flexion, Knee limitation of extension, Ankle limited motion, Plantar fasciitis, Foot injury (other), Hip (thigh) limitation of flexion, Sciatic nerve (radiculopathy), Common peroneal nerve (foot drop), Upper radicular group (C5-C6 nerves), Epilepsy (seizures), Hypertension (high blood pressure), Varicose veins, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Hemorrhoids, Hernia (inguinal, ventral, umbilical), Deep scars (not head, face or neck), Painful or unstable scars, Diabetes mellitus (type 2), Prostate conditions (voiding dysfunction), TMJ (temporomandibular disorder).
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5055, Knee replacement, 30%: “Minimum evaluation for total knee replacement only.”
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5237, Back strain (lumbosacral or cervical strain), 20%: “Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis or abnormal kyphosis.”
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5257, Knee instability, 20%: “Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or repaired complete tear causing persistent instability, with a prescribed brace and/or assistive device; or an unrepaired or failed-repair complete tear with a prescribed assistive device or bracing. For patellar instability: after surgical repair, requiring one of a brace, cane or walker.”
Criteria summarized from the rating schedule; each condition page links to the regulation.
Other pairs
- 30% and 30%: 51, rated 50%
- 30% and 10%: 37, rated 40%
- 40% and 20%: 52, rated 50%
- 20% and 20%: 36, rated 40%
2 other pairs also round to 40%: 30+10, 20+20.
For three or more ratings, or to add dependents, use the calculator. Background: why 50 and 50 is not 100.
Rating Ledger is not part of VA and does not file or decide claims. Amounts are VA's published monthly rates effective December 1, 2025 for a veteran, before any deduction or special monthly compensation; ratings follow 38 CFR 4.25 and 38 CFR 4.26. Last checked 2026-10-20. Only a VA rating decision sets a rating or a payment. See the methodology.