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How to read your decision letter

Have the letter in front of you. Go one part at a time. The date at the top starts your deadlines.

Read it in this order

  1. 1. Date at the top. Write it down. Deadlines count from here.
  2. 2. 'What we decided' (or similar). Each condition with granted, denied, or continued, and a percent.
  3. 3. Payment section. , monthly amount, and the date payments start.
  4. 4. 'Reasons for our decision' for each condition. This is where the why lives.
  5. 5. 'Evidence considered.' Check that everything you sent is listed. Missing items matter for a review.
  6. 6. Favorable findings. Facts VA already agrees with, like 'you have a current diagnosis.' VA is bound by these in later reviews unless it finds clear and convincing evidence otherwise.
  7. 7. 'What you should do if you disagree.' Review options and deadlines (VA Form 20-0998 explains your rights).

What the words in "Reasons" mean

"Service connection is granted"
VA agrees it's tied to service. Look for the percent and effective date.
"Service connection is denied because the evidence does not show a current diagnosed disability"
VA didn't see a doctor naming the condition now. Fix: get a diagnosis.
"...does not show that this condition occurred in or was caused by service"
VA didn't see the in-service event. Fix: service records, buddy statements, your statement.
"...no link (nexus) between your condition and military service"
VA didn't see the connection. Fix: a medical opinion with reasons.
"The examiner opined it is less likely than not related to service"
VA's examiner said no link. You can answer with your own doctor's opinion (Supplemental Claim) or point out mistakes in the exam (Higher-Level Review).
"Evaluation of [condition], currently X percent, is continued"
No change to the rating on an increase claim.
"Assigned a 0 percent (noncompensable) evaluation"
Service connected, but no monthly pay yet. Still valuable (see below).
"Staged rating / evaluated at X percent from [date] and Y percent from [date]"
Different ratings for different time periods.
"Permanent and total / no future examinations are scheduled"
VA doesn't expect improvement. Can unlock survivor and dependent education benefits at 100%.
"Deferred"
VA hasn't decided that issue yet; more is coming.
"Failed to report for VA examination"
VA decided without the exam. Explain good cause and ask for a new exam.
"Benefit of the doubt / evidence is in approximate balance"
When evidence for and against is about even, VA must decide for the Veteran (38 CFR 3.102).
"Favorable findings"
Facts VA already agrees with. Keep these; you don't need to prove them again.
"Entitlement to individual unemployability is denied (or inferred)"
VA looked at whether you can work. See Step 10.
"Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance is established"
Your spouse or kids may qualify for school benefits (usually at permanent and total 100%).

How the combined rating works

VA doesn't add ratings. It uses 'whole person' math so the total can't pass 100%. Start at 100% healthy. Each rating takes its share of what's left.

  1. Ratings: 50%, 30%, 10%. Put them in order, biggest first.
  2. Start with 50%. You are 50% disabled, 50% 'healthy' left.
  3. 30% of the 50 that's left is 15. 50 + 15 = 65.
  4. 10% of the 35 that's left is 3.5. VA's combined ratings table shows 65 and 10 combine to 69.
  5. Round to the nearest 10: 69 becomes 70%. (Numbers ending in 5 to 9 round up; 1 to 4 round down.) Combined rating: 70%.
  6. Two 10% ratings combine to 19, which rounds to 20%, not 20 added straight.

If both arms, both legs, or paired muscles have ratings, VA first combines those, then adds 10% of that number. Example from the rule: 60%, 20%, and two 10% bilateral ratings. The two 10s combine to 19, plus 10% of 19 (1.9) = about 21. Then 60 and 21 combine to 68, and 68 and 20 combine to 74, which rounds to 70%.

Sources:VA.goveCFReCFR

Try the math

VA doesn't add ratings. Each one takes a share of what's left. Change the numbers to see.

Combined: 70%

  1. Start with the biggest: 50%. That leaves 50 "healthy".
  2. 30% of the 50 left is 15. 50 and 30 combine to 65.
  3. 10% of the 35 left is 3.5. 65 and 10 combine to 69.
  4. Round 69 to the nearest 10: 70%.

This is only the math. VA's letter is what counts.

Why a 0% rating still matters

  • It's on the record. If it gets worse, you file for an increase, not a brand-new connection.
  • VA health care for that condition with no copays for it.
  • It can be the base for secondary conditions.
  • Some state benefits and federal hiring preference (some require 10%+).
  • Several 0% ratings together can lead to 10% under VA's multiple noncompensable rule (38 CFR 3.324).

The effective date (when pay starts)

The is when your pay starts counting. Pay usually starts the first day of the month after that date.

  • Filed within one year of leaving active duty: can go back to the day after separation.
  • Had an Intent to File and filed within a year: the ITF date.
  • Otherwise: usually the date VA got the claim, or the date the condition started, whichever is later.
  • Increase: can go back up to one year before you filed if records show it got worse then.
  • Review filed within one year of a decision: keeps the original date (continuous pursuit).
  • New law that helps you (like the PACT Act): special rules can apply.

Sources:VA.goveCFReCFR

What each rating can open up

Higher ratings unlock more. See the full list on our Benefits by rating page (helpingthebrave.com/tools/benefits-by-rating). Highlights:

  • 0%: Easier VA health care enrollment; No copays for care of service-connected conditions; A base for secondary claims and later increases; Some state benefits.
  • 10%: Monthly tax-free pay; VA home loan funding fee waiver; 10-point federal hiring preference; Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E).
  • 30%: Extra pay for spouse, kids and dependent parents; Higher VA health care priority group; Travel pay to VA appointments.
  • 50%: No VA health care or prescription copays; Priority Group 1; CRDP for military retirees.
  • 70%: Can qualify for the VA caregiver program (PCAFC); TDIU threshold with one condition at 40%.
  • 100%: Highest monthly pay; Permanent and total: CHAMPVA for family, DEA school benefits, VA dental, survivor DIC after 10 years; Many state property tax exemptions.

Sources:VA.govVA.govVA.gov

If you disagree

Watch the 1-year deadline

Higher-Level Review and Board Appeal: within 1 year of the decision letter date. Supplemental Claim: any time, but file within 1 year to keep your original effective date. After a Board decision, you have 120 days to appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Which review fits?

Answer one question at a time. This shows options to talk over. A free VSO can help pick.

  1. 1. Do you have new evidence VA didn't have before (a new doctor letter, new records, new statements)?

The three lanes

  • One lane at a time for each issue. Different issues can go different ways.
  • Keep filing the next review within one year of each new decision to protect your effective date.
  • VA must help you get evidence in a Supplemental Claim (duty to assist).

Sources:VA.govVA.goveCFRCAVC