If you’re at a 70% VA disability rating and wondering how to get to 100%, you’re not alone. The difference in pay between 70% and 100% is nearly $2,000 a month, which can make a huge difference in your life. But getting from 70% to 100% isn’t as simple as adding up the numbers.
There’s a system behind it—what we call VA math.
I’m Robert Hoffman with Veterans Guide, and today we’re going to walk you through the steps to go from 70% to 100%, and get the compensation you deserve.
First, let’s talk about how the VA rating system works. Many veterans think their disability percentage is a simple addition, but VA math doesn’t work that way.
For example, let’s say you’re rated at 70% for PTSD. If you add another 10% for tinnitus, you don’t automatically get 80%. The VA uses combined disability percentages, which means your new disability rating is calculated based on what’s left after each condition is considered. It’s not a straight addition.
Here’s how it works: Think of it like a jar filled with 100 marbles. You start with 100, and if you have a 70% rating, the VA takes 70 marbles out, leaving you with 30. Then, if you add another 10% condition, like tinnitus, the VA takes 10% of the remaining 30 marbles—which is only 3 marbles. So now you’re left with 27 marbles. That rounds up to 30% total, not 80%. This is why understanding VA math is critical to getting the highest possible rating.
Now that you understand the basics of VA math, let’s look at how to raise your rating if you’re already at 70%. The first step is to defend your current rating. You don’t want to risk a decrease when you’re already at 70%. The last thing you want is to increase your rating and have the VA remove or decrease another condition, so it’s important to keep your medical records up to date.
Next, we focus on increasing your existing conditions. If your 70% PTSD rating hasn’t been updated in a while, you may be able to raise it. The VA evaluates your condition based on current symptoms, so if your PTSD has worsened, make sure to update your medical records with recent doctor visits and treatment. For example, if you haven’t seen a specialist or gotten a new diagnosis in a while, now is the time to do it.
Another strategy is to focus on secondary claims. These are conditions that stem from your primary service-connected disabilities. For example, if you have tinnitus and it leads to migraines, you can claim migraines as a secondary condition. The same goes for sleep apnea, which can be linked to PTSD. If your sleep apnea is linked to PTSD, it can result in a 50% rating.
Take migraines for example. You may have a 10% rating for tinnitus and 70% for PTSD, but when you add migraines as a secondary condition, that can push your overall rating closer to 100%. The key here is having the right evidence—medical opinions, diagnostic reports, and updated records from your doctor showing the connection between your conditions.
So, how do you actually get to 100%? It’s all about the strength of your claims. If you have multiple conditions already rated, focus on getting the highest percentage possible for your existing conditions before adding new ones. Sometimes, it’s better to prioritize raising the rating on your most impactful conditions, like PTSD, rather than focusing on secondary claims first.
Once you have your treatment up to date and your symptoms clearly documented, you’ll have a much stronger case for a rating increase. Don’t forget to use our VA disability calculator to check your combined rating and see where you stand.
At Veterans Guide, we specialize in helping veterans navigate this complex process. If you’re stuck at 70%, we can help you maximize your VA benefits by raising your rating, filing secondary claims, and ensuring all your conditions are properly evaluated.
Visit VeteransGuide.org today to learn more about how we can help you go from 70% to 100% and get the compensation you deserve.
