The currents of veterans’ disability benefits are very complicated to drift around. An understanding of the key issues of the whole VA disability system is essential because of a lot of different aspects, such as disability ratings, the value of the amount of compensation, and so on. One among the many terms that confuse veterans is the 70/40 rule. This rule is all about how the disabilities get rated and combined and is very important in determining whether or not full disability compensation will be given. In this blog, we will explain the concept of the VA 70/40 rule, how the rule works, and what it means for a veteran.
What is the VA 70/40 rule?
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a rating system, in percentage, which measures how serious a veteran’s service-connected disability is. The 70/40 rule states that apart from having one or more conditions rated at a 70% disability and another rated at a 40% disability, it is important in that this combination of ratings allows Veterans to be qualified for 100% disability compensation in line with VA guidelines.
To put it another way, it doesn’t mean that if you were going to give a veteran credit for having both disabilities, you were to simply add together the respective percentages. Furthermore, as VA would term it, it is necessary to apply a formula to derive a method for calculating an overall or combined rating. The way the VA evaluates the extent each disability impairs a veteran’s overall functioning would be different from a mere summation of the individual percentages. So, even though a veteran has a disability rating of 70% and another of 40%, that veteran’s combined disability rating will probably end up being less than 110%. When applied, this ensures that veterans receive fair compensation for how debilitating their disability is on a daily basis.
How does the 70/40 rule impact a veteran’s life?
The VA’s 70-40 policy can dramatically change a veteran’s life with regard to financial support and access to services. Under the 70-40 Rule, a veteran qualifies for what is usually 100 percent disability compensation; the added amount is a financial supplement that brings a veteran to baseline higher-level coverage. This may really prove life-transforming, relieving pressure on veterans and their families during times of change necessitated by service-connected disabilities.
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For example, a veteran could qualify for the 70 percent disability rating for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an additional 40 percent for a service-connected physical injury. All combined, these two ratings could qualify the veteran for 100 percent compensation, which is much higher than actually earning compensation with lower ratings. This means that the money taken in can tend to relieve stress and allow veterans to concentrate their efforts more on healing and well-being.
In addition to monetary benefits, qualifying for the 70-40 rule would also mean qualifying for other benefits such as health care and vocational rehabilitation, among others. The 70-40 rule provides many veterans access to services, therapy, and support all through their visit, albeit a little differently in terms of finances.
How veteran ratings can help
Veteran Ratings holds their promises for the veterans to help them understand and navigate the complexities of VA disability disbenefit. Whether you are a first-time filer or just looking for an increase in your disability rating, the team will help you with this process. Our understanding is how we help veterans secure ratings reflective of the full measure of their service-connected disabilities, so they get paid what they’re supposed to get and receive the support that they deserve.
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Among our resources, we offer a free disability calculator allowing Veterans to project their ratings based on service-connected conditions: clarity and preparations for what the Veterans may expect during the process of claims. Other than these, we conduct personalized consultations focusing on initial issues to guide on a one-to-one perspective.
Final thoughts
Learning about the VA 70/40 rule is important for veterans trying to get the best possible compensation for all of their disability claims. Know the criteria and get in touch with someone for assistance so you can get the VA disability compensation and benefits you are entitled to. At Veteran Ratings, we know that we have great customer service and that making VA claims as manageable as possible helps keep the life of the veteran stress-free.
Every case is different, and we believe the American veteran should receive the respect they rightfully deserve. If you are ready to take the next step in obtaining your disability benefits, contact us to set up a no-cost consultation. Our dedicated team is here to support you throughout the process, ensuring that veterans are treated as people, not case numbers.
To learn more and to schedule an appointment, please call us at 619-916-4652.
