VA does not add ratings to determine an overall rating. They instead employ the whole body concept and the combined ratings table to determine a veteran’s overall rating. Using this method, each disability percentage is taken away from what’s left of the veteran after other disabilities are already taken away. Example: A veteran receives two 10% ratings. The veteran starts completely whole (100%) and then loses 10% because of the first disability. Now there is 90% of the veteran left. The second disability is also 10% so that is taken away from the 90% of the veteran that is left. This leaves the veteran as 81% whole, and 19% disabled; the VA will assign a 20% rating.
