One of the most common statements I hear from Veterans is:
“I only need 10% or 20% more to get to 100%.”
At first glance, that sounds logical. In everyday math, if you have 90% and add 10%, you reach 100%. Simple, right?
Unfortunately, VA compensation does not work like regular math, and this misunderstanding often leads to frustration, unrealistic expectations, and, at times, missed opportunities to build a strong claim properly.
When Veterans tell me they only need “10% more,” I take time to explain how the VA disability rating system works, why getting from 90% to 100% is often the hardest step, and what truly matters when trying to increase your overall rating.
VA Ratings Are Based on the Whole Body — Not Simple Addition
The Department of Veterans Affairs uses what is called “combined ratings math.” This system evaluates the total impact of all service-connected conditions on the body, not just the number of disabilities you have.
The VA does not simply add percentages together.
Instead, ratings are combined using a method that starts with your highest-rated condition and calculates how each additional condition affects the remaining efficiency of your body.
This concept is sometimes called the “whole person theory.”
Here is the basic idea:
- The VA assumes a healthy person starts at 100% efficiency
- Your highest disability rating is applied first.
- Each additional rating is applied to the remaining healthy portion, not the original 100%
- The final number is rounded to the nearest 10%
This is why moving from 90% to 100% is not the same as adding another 10% condition.
It often takes more than a single 10% rating.
Why 90% to 100% Is So Difficult
Many Veterans are surprised to learn that 90% disability does not mean they are 90% disabled.
In VA math, 90% means 90% of your body is considered disabled, leaving 10% of your body functioning.
Eliminating that remaining 10% with small ratings is challenging.
For example:
- If you are rated 90%, the VA considers you 10% efficient.
- If you receive another 10% rating, the VA does not add 10%.
Instead, they calculate:
10% of the remaining 10% efficiency
= 1% additional disability
So now:
90% + 1% = 91%
That 91% is then rounded back down to 90%.
Yes — you gained another disability rating, but your overall rating did not change.
That is why Veterans often feel stuck at 90%.
It Often Takes More Than You Think
To move from 90% to 100%, it often takes:
- Multiple new ratings
- A significant increase in an existing condition
- Secondary service connections
- Or evidence showing worsening of existing disabilities
For many Veterans, it may require a combination of ratings of 30%, 40%, or even higher to reach that final step.
So, saying “I only need 10% more” is often inaccurate.
What you really need is to meet the combined rating threshold, not just a single additional percentage. Focus on the total calculated effect of new or worsened disabilities, and remember that the combined rating formula can make this a bigger step than expected.
Understanding Matters of Secondary Conditions
One of the most overlooked paths to increasing the rating is secondary service connection.
Secondary conditions occur when a service-connected disability causes or worsens another condition.
Examples include:
- Knee injuries leading to hip or back problems
- PTSD contributing to migraines or sleep apnea
- Asthma contributes to hypertension.
- Chronic pain leading to depression
These connections matter because they allow Veterans to establish additional service-connected disabilities, which may increase the combined rating.
But secondary claims must be supported by:
- Medical evidence
- A documented relationship
- A strong medical opinion explaining the connection
Without proper documentation, even valid conditions may be denied.
Severity Matters More Than Quantity
Another misunderstanding is the belief that more conditions automatically lead to higher ratings.
That is not always true.
What matters most is:
- Severity of symptoms
- Functional impairment
- Medical documentation
- Consistency of treatment
A single condition rated at 70% may impact your rating more than several conditions rated at 10%.
For example:
A Veteran with:
- PTSD rated at 70%
- Migraines rated at 50%
Will likely have a much higher combined rating than someone with:
- Five separate 10% conditions
This is why documentation showing worsening symptoms is extremely important.
Medical Evidence Drives Ratings
VA ratings are not based on personal statements alone.
They are based on medical evidence that supports:
- Diagnosis
- Severity
- Functional loss
- Chronicity
- Impact on work and daily life
That evidence may include:
- Service Treatment Records (STRs)
- VA medical records
- Private treatment records
- Compensation & Pension (C&P) examinations
- Medical nexus opinions
- Lay statements
Veterans should understand that documentation over time matters.
A single visit may not demonstrate severity — but a pattern of care often does.
Functional Loss Is Key
Another major factor in ratings is functional impairment.
This means how your condition affects:
- Walking
- Standing
- Sitting
- Lifting
- Sleeping
- Concentration
- Work performance
- Daily activities
Many Veterans underestimate how important it is to describe how their conditions affect daily life.
Pain alone is not always enough.
But pain that limits:
- Standing for long periods
- Completing work tasks
- Maintaining employment
That matters.
Functional loss often plays a significant role in determining higher disability percentages. Clearly communicating how your daily life is affected by your service-connected conditions is essential for advancing your claim.
Don’t Chase Percentages — Build the Evidence
One of the biggest mistakes Veterans make is focusing solely on numbers rather than evidence.
They say:
“I just need another 10%.”
But the better question is:
“What conditions exist, and what evidence supports them?”
Strong claims are built through:
- Accurate diagnosis
- Ongoing treatment
- Medical documentation
- Professional medical opinions
- Consistent reporting of symptoms
The evidence drives the rating — not the numbers.
While 100% combined seems like the goal, there are additional paths to total compensation you should be aware of.
Another important point many Veterans do not realize is that 100% compensation can sometimes be granted without a 100% combined rating.
This occurs through:
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
TDIU allows Veterans to receive compensation at the 100% rate if their service-connected disabilities prevent them from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
Eligibility often includes:
- One condition rated at 60% or higher, OR
- Combined rating of 70%, with one disability at 40% or higher
This option is often overlooked but can be life-changing for Veterans unable to work due to service-connected disabilities.
Education Prevents Frustration
Many frustrations with VA ratings stem from misunderstandings of how the system works.
Veterans who understand:
- Combined ratings math
- Secondary conditions
- Functional impairment
- Medical documentation
They are better prepared to pursue appropriate claims.
Education provides Veterans with important opportunities for advancement.
Not just knowing what you deserve — but knowing how to document and support your claim properly.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About “Just 10% More.”
When a Veteran tells me:
“I only need 10% more,”
I understand the hope behind that statement.
But I also understand the reality.
Reaching 100% compensation is not about adding small numbers.
It is about:
- Understanding how VA math works
- Identifying legitimate service-connected conditions
- Building strong medical evidence
- Documenting functional impairment
- Exploring all available pathways
- Including secondary conditions and unemployability options
Because in the end, the goal is not just reaching a number.
The goal is for Veterans to receive the compensation and support they deserve for their service. Focusing on thorough claims and evidence, and on understanding the process, leads to better outcomes.
To read more of our Military Monday stories, please click here.
Africa Thomas will be providing monthly article information on VA disability claims and ratings. And how to navigate the process for a successful submission.
She is a retired United States Army veteran with a combined 29 years of honorable service. Throughout her military career, she demonstrated a deep commitment to service, leadership, and the well-being of others. Following retirement, she continued her mission of service in healthcare and is currently a Nurse Practitioner with a specialized focus on military and veteran disability evaluations, mental health, and overall wellness.
Deeply passionate about advocating for those who have served, Africa is dedicated to improving access to quality care and supporting veterans as they navigate complex medical and disability systems. Beyond her professional achievements, she is the proud mother of two exceptional young men, whom she considers her greatest accomplishment.
She operates T.A.G. IT Healthcare Solutions.
706.993.7570 OR email her HERE
