Compensation percentages

NODManager
Registered: 11/22/08
Posts: 654

09/17/10

I overheard several Vets talking down at my local VAMC the other day about percentages and how they add up for a total rating. Unfortunately these fellows were under the misguided assumption that the VA is very generous. Not. The only ones who benefit from their largesse are the upper echelon employees who get WAY more than you or I do and get bonuses for all that hard work. Good suits, ties and dress shirts are expensive. So are fine meals at restaurants around the DVA in D.C. With that said, let us bow our heads for a moment of silence so we can commiserate with the poor souls and feel their pain.Now, let’s get to comp. percentages. Some of you are aware of how this works, but many aren’t. Collecting a lot of 10% disabilities will not get you to 100% disability. That can only be attained by either a total scheduler rating on one disease/injury or by TDIU. Hearing is a classic example. Total hearing loss in one ear will get you 0%. If the other ear declines it will take extensive loss to attain 10-20%. Hemorrhoids are another classic example. PN is another. DM2 will get you 20% unless your symptoms are really severe and then it starts to go up. Tinnitus? Again, 10% max for both ears. The list of little things like jungle rot, PCT, and ingrown toenails is endless and the percentage of comp. is miniscule.

Take this little example I’ve assembled for examination. Assume Hep C at 20%, DM2 at 20%, PN in all 4 extremities @ 10% each, Tinnitus @10% and PCT @ 10%. At first glance it would appear to be 100% by adding up all the individual percentages. According to 38 CFR 4.25 Combined rating schedule, the Vet will be appalled to discover the “new math” employed. The bilateral factor requires all 4 10%s to be rated first which equals 34%. Next, 10% of 34%= 3.4% which is now added for 37.4%. So, 37.4%+ 20%=50.4%. 50.4% +20%= 60.4%. 60.4%+10%= 64% and lastly 64.4%+10%= 68.4% which rounds up to 70%. Oddly enough this would not entitle a Vet to TDIU because none of the above mentioned ratings, by itself, is greater than 40%. Incidentally, the Vet would need another 90% to reach 100% from the aforementioned 70%. Is that insane or what? Keep in mind that VA’s stated mission is to make sure we get all that we are entitled to. What they give with the right hand, they surreptitiously remove with with the left- as amply demonstrated here.

This concludes our class on new math today. VA hopes you have found it informative and entertaining.