Course Catalog / BMU 106 / Lesson 3 of 5

BMU 106

Halfway review

1. Name three of the six VA programs.

See the answer

Any three: health care, disability compensation, education, careers, home loans, life insurance.

2. Name two ways to apply for VA health care.

See the answer

Any two: online, phone, mail, in person.

3. Who gives free help with VA claims?

See the answer

An accredited VSO.

Why this matters

VA disability compensation is a tax free monthly payment for a condition linked to your service. VA calls this a service connected condition.

This lesson gives you the plain version: who may qualify, how ratings work, and where to get free help. To build and file a strong claim, take BMU 301 From Denied to Rated.

Start with what you already do

You already know that a doctor's note helps prove you were sick. VA claims work in a similar way: evidence matters.

Common belief: VA adds your ratings together. 30% plus 20% equals 50%.

What is actually true: VA does not simply add ratings. It combines them with the whole person method, then rounds. 30% and 20% combine to 40%, not 50%. VA says a total rating cannot go over 100%.

Key words

service connected

An illness or injury caused, or made worse, by your active military service.

disability rating

A percent that shows how much a condition affects your health and ability to function.

presumptive condition

A condition VA assumes was caused by service, so you do not have to prove the link.

Who may qualify

VA says both of these must be true:

1. You have a current illness or injury that affects your mind or body.
2. You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

And at least one of these: you got sick or hurt in service, service made an earlier condition worse, or a condition linked to service showed up after you left.

For presumptive conditions, VA assumes service caused it. Examples include some long lasting illnesses that appear within 1 year after discharge, and illnesses from toxic exposure. The PACT Act added more than 20 presumptive conditions.

How the rating works

VA bases your rating on three things. First, the evidence you give. Second, the results of a claim exam, called a C and P exam, if VA needs one. Third, records from places like other federal agencies. The rating sets your monthly payment and can affect other benefits, like VA health care and VALife.

Text version of this figure

How a rating is set. Evidence in, rating out.

1. Step 1, Current condition: A diagnosis that affects mind or body.
2. Step 2, Link to service: In service event, made worse by service, or presumptive.
3. Step 3, Evidence and exam: Records, your statements, and a C and P exam if VA asks.
4. Rating: A percent for each condition, then one combined rating.
5. Red flag: A company that charges to file your first claim. VSO help is free.

Source: VA.gov disability eligibility and ratings pages (Oct 29, 2026).

How VA combines two ratings

VA uses what it calls the whole person method. Think of a healthy person as 100%. Each rating takes a share of what is left, not of the full 100.

1. Put the ratings in order, highest first. Example from VA.gov: 50% and 30%.
2. The first rating counts in full: 50. That leaves 50% of the person.
3. Take the second rating as a share of what is left: 30% of 50 is 15.
4. Add them: 50 plus 15 is 65. VA calls this the combined value.
5. Round to the nearest 10. VA rounds 1 to 4 down and 5 to 9 up. 65 becomes 70%.

With a third rating, VA starts from the combined value before rounding. In VA's example, a third rating of 10% takes 10% of the 35 left, about 4. 65 plus 4 is 69, which rounds to 70%. VA.gov has the full combined ratings table if you want to check your math. Your monthly payment comes from the combined rating, and the rates change each year on December 1.

Free help and fees

VA says help from an accredited VSO representative on your claim is always free. An accredited attorney or claims agent can charge a fee only after VA has decided your first claim. They also need a signed fee agreement filed with VA. Check anyone with VA's accreditation search before you share records.

Protect your start date: intent to file

Before you have all your papers, you can tell VA you plan to file. This is called an intent to file. It sets a possible start date for your benefits. You then have 1 year to file the full claim. If VA approves it, you may get back pay from the intent to file date. VA gives this example: intent to file on April 2, claim filed July 15, start date April 2.

You can file an intent to file online, by phone, by mail with VA Form 21-0966, or in person. If you start a disability claim online with a verified VA.gov account, VA records it for you.

Worked example: Andre checks his knee

Andre from Lesson 1 hurt his knee in a training fall. It still hurts.

• Current condition? He needs a diagnosis. He books a doctor visit.
• Link to service? His service treatment record shows the fall.
• Help? He looks up an accredited VSO and books a free visit.
• Start date: he files an intent to file today, so he has 1 year to finish the claim and keeps the earlier start date.
• Next course: he enrolls in BMU 301 to learn how to build the claim.

Andre is a made up example.

Practice: Combine two ratings

A made up Veteran, Luis, has two ratings: 40% for his back and 20% for his knee. Use the five steps. What is his combined rating?

Check your practice: feedback

50%. The 40 counts in full, which leaves 60. 20% of 60 is 12. 40 plus 12 is 52. 52 rounds down to 50%. VA's table shows 52 where the 40 row meets the 20 column.

If you got 60%, you added the ratings. If you got 52%, you forgot to round.

Common mistakes

• Adding ratings to guess your total. VA uses a combined rating table.
• Paying a company that is not accredited. Check VA's accreditation search.
• Waiting because you think you need combat. Training injuries and presumptive conditions can count.

Check your understanding

Take it as many times as you like. Pick an answer, then open the feedback.

1. Two ratings are 30% and 20%. What is the combined rating?

1. 50%
2. 30%
3. 40%

See the answer and feedback

C is correct. Yes. 30 plus 20% of 70 is 44, which rounds to 40%.

A: That adds the ratings. VA does not. Review How VA combines two ratings.

B: The second rating still counts. Review How VA combines two ratings.

2. What is a presumptive condition?

1. One VA assumes was caused by service
2. One that is never covered
3. One only for combat Veterans

See the answer and feedback

A is correct. Yes. You do not have to prove the link.

B: Presumptive conditions are covered if you meet the service rules. Review Who may qualify.

C: Combat is not required. Review Who may qualify.

3. A company asks for a fee to file Jim's first claim. What should Jim do?

1. Pay it to save time.
2. Check accreditation and try a free VSO.
3. Give them his VA login.

See the answer and feedback

B is correct. Yes. VSO help on claims is always free.

A: Free accredited help exists. Review Free help and fees.

C: Never share your login. Review Free help and fees.

Next up

Next you will look at school and career help. Go to Lesson 4: Education and careers.

Key words: Course glossary (A to Z, with the lesson that teaches each one).

Stuck or have a question? Ask BMU Learner Support.

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