Combined ratings / 70% and 10%
38 CFR 4.25 Table I · checked 2026-10-20
70% and 10% VA rating combined
A 70% and a 10% rating combine to 73, which VA rounds down to 70%. The 10% is not added to the 70%: it takes 10% of the 30% efficiency the first rating leaves, which is 3 points. At 70% a veteran alone receives $1,808.45 a month and a veteran with a spouse $1,961.45.
- 1First rating 70 squares
- 210% of what is left 3 squares
- 3Efficiency left 27%
- 4Combined rating 70%
The arithmetic, step by step
- Order by severity: 70% first, then 10%.
- After the 70% rating, 30% efficiency is left. The 10% rating takes 10% of that: 10 × 30 ÷ 100 = 3.
- 70 + 3 = 73. That is the figure printed in Table I at row 70, column 10.
- Round once to the nearest 10, values ending in 5 going up: 73 becomes 70%.
Because 73 ends in 3, it rounds down. The result is the same 70% the first rating gave alone, so on its own the 10% rating changes neither the rating nor the $1,808.45 monthly payment. It still counts: it stays in the ledger, and the next rating combines with 73, not with 70. One more 10% rating would lift it to 76, rated 80%.
Added together, the two ratings would make 80. VA's method gives 70, 10 points less. The gap grows with the size of the ratings, because each later rating works on a smaller remainder.
What 70% pays
At 70%, VA's table effective December 1, 2025 pays $1,808.45 a month to a veteran alone, $1,961.45 with a spouse, and $2,074.45 with a spouse and one child under 18. That is the same payment as 70% alone. The 70% pay page lists every dependent row.
If a third rating is added
A third 10% rating would combine with 73, not with 70: 73 and 10 give 76, rated 80%, one step up. The smallest single rating that moves this pair up a step is 10%, reaching 76 and 80% ($2,102.15 a month alone).
On the numbers alone this pair meets the schedular threshold for a total rating based on unemployability in 38 CFR 4.16(a): one disability rated at least 60%. Meeting the percentages is only the start; VA must also find that service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful work. See the TDIU guide.
If the two ratings are on paired limbs
When the 70% and the 10% are on the left and right leg (or both arms), 38 CFR 4.26 adds a bilateral factor: 70 and 10 combine to 73, plus 10% of that gives 80, rated 80%. Here the factor moves the rating from 70% to 80%, worth $2,102.15 a month alone instead of $1,808.45. The bilateral factor guide has the full rule.
Conditions that are rated at 70% and 10%
Diagnostic codes on this site with a 70% level include PTSD (DC 9411), Hip replacement (DC 5054), Carpal tunnel (median nerve) (DC 8515), Upper radicular group (C5-C6 nerves) (DC 8510). A 10% level appears in Tinnitus, Vertigo (peripheral vestibular disorder), PTSD, Degenerative arthritis, 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, Flat feet (pes planus), Plantar fasciitis, Foot injury (other), Hip (thigh) limitation of flexion, Migraines, Sciatic nerve (radiculopathy), Carpal tunnel (median nerve), Common peroneal nerve (foot drop), Epilepsy (seizures), Asthma, COPD, Allergic rhinitis, Chronic sinusitis, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Supraventricular arrhythmia (incl. AFib), Varicose veins, GERD (acid reflux), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Hemorrhoids, Hernia (inguinal, ventral, umbilical), Scars of the head, face or neck, Deep scars (not head, face or neck), Painful or unstable scars, Eczema (dermatitis), Diabetes mellitus (type 2), Prostate conditions (voiding dysfunction), TMJ (temporomandibular disorder).
38 CFR 4.130, diagnostic code 9411, PTSD, 70%: “Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood, due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.”
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5257, Knee instability, 10%: “Sprain, incomplete or complete ligament tear (repaired, unrepaired or failed repair) causing persistent instability, without a prescribed assistive device or bracing. For patellar instability: recurrent instability, with or without surgery, without a prescribed brace, cane or walker.”
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5261, Knee limitation of extension, 10%: “Extension limited to 10 degrees.”
38 CFR 4.124a, diagnostic code 8510, Upper radicular group (C5-C6 nerves), 70%: “Complete paralysis: all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected.”
Criteria summarized from the rating schedule; each condition page links to the regulation.
Other pairs
- 70% and 20%: 76, rated 80%
- 80% and 10%: 82, rated 80%
- 60% and 10%: 64, rated 60%
- 80% and 20%: 84, rated 80%
4 other pairs also round to 70%: 60+30, 60+20, 50+40, 50+30.
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.