Question 1

What is 50 and 20% VA disability combined?

Accepted Answer

50 and 20% combines to a 60% VA disability rating (60% before rounding to the nearest 10%), not 70%. The VA uses whole-person math: each rating only applies to the portion still healthy after the previous one. A 60% rating pays $1,435/month in 2026 for a veteran alone.

Question 2

Why isn't 50 and 20 equal to 70%?

Accepted Answer

Because the VA never adds ratings. After a 50% rating, only 50% of the "whole person" is left, so the next rating applies to that smaller amount. This always yields less than the simple sum, capped at 100%.

50 and 20% VA Disability = 60%

Other common combinations

Get the 60% VA rate when it changes

Rating	Healthy before	Adds	Running total
50%	100%	+50	50%
20%	50%	+10	60%
Combined (60%, rounded to nearest 10%)			60%