1. What is the VA Disability Bilateral Factor?

The VA bilateral factor is an additional 10% added to the combined rating when a veteran has disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. This recognizes the greater impact of bilateral disabilities on overall function.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the VA's combined rating formula:

Where:

• \( \prod \) — Product of all (1 - rating/100) terms
• \( \text{rating} \) — Individual disability percentages
• \( \text{bilateral factor} \) — 10% of combined rating before bilateral addition

Explanation: The VA uses a "whole person" concept where each additional disability has a progressively smaller effect on the total combined rating.

3. Importance of Bilateral Factor

Details: The bilateral factor can significantly increase a veteran's combined rating and compensation level. It applies to disabilities affecting both sides of paired body parts (arms, legs, kidneys, lungs, etc.).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter comma-separated disability percentages (e.g., "30,20,10"). Select the bilateral factor checkbox if applicable. The calculator follows VA math rules for combining ratings.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What qualifies as a bilateral condition?
A: Disabilities affecting both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles (e.g., both shoulders, both knees).

Q2: How is the bilateral factor calculated?
A: It's 10% of your combined rating before the bilateral addition is applied.

Q3: Does the bilateral factor apply to all paired organs?
A: Yes, it applies to arms, legs, kidneys, lungs, eyes, ears, and other paired organs/muscles.

Q4: Can I get multiple bilateral factors?
A: No, you only get one bilateral factor regardless of how many bilateral conditions you have.

Q5: How does this affect my monthly compensation?
A: Higher combined ratings qualify for higher compensation rates. The bilateral factor can push you into a higher payment bracket.