If you are trying to file for your VA disability, a VA disability calculator is an invaluable tool. With the complexity inherent in disability filing, a VA disability calculator will help clarify some of the complexities you will face.
With all of the complications involved, a VA disability calculator is invaluable in determining how much you will receive. These five facts will give you all you need to know to get ready to file.
1. Disability Calculators Simplify the Math
While it may seem obvious, simplifying math is what most calculators do, but in this case, it is more than basic arithmetic.
Disability rates stack based on percentage disability, and different disabilities accumulate. As these disabilities stack, they are not traditionally additive. Each disability is a percentage of your remaining able-bodiedness after subtracting the prior disability.
The largest percentage of disability is subtracted from the total first, creating a new baseline. The next largest share is taken as a percentage of that number, and so on.
In other words, if you have two 30 % disabilities and 20%, you would first subtract 30, leaving 70 percent. Then 30 % of the remaining 70, or 21 percent of the total. The final twenty is taken from the 49 percent remaining, so 9.8 percent of the total. This 71 percent disability is rounded down, leaving a 70 percent disability.
If that sounds confusing, you understand why calculators exist!
2. Disability Calculators Factor in Dependents
While anything less than a 100% disability will reduce your base disability payout, dependents increase your payout. Dependents can be children, adult dependent children, or dependent parents.
Regardless of the type of dependent, a disability calculator will account for them and insert the appropriate modifier.
3. Disability Calculators Need to Know if You Are Married
In addition to your other dependents, your disability calculator needs to know if you are married. Be sure to include your spouse, as she is also entitled to benefits after your death.
If your spouse is disabled as well, you are entitled to a higher payment. A disability calculator will ensure that you don’t miss any crucial facts like spousal disability.
4. Disability Calculators Include the Type of Disability
The VA provides some modifiers for certain types of injury. These additional injuries change the total amount paid out and should be included in any total pay calculation.
It is also helpful when determining the additive effect of different disabilities to know precisely where each disability is. Your doctor will determine the acceptable percentage to claim for each disabled region. The VA only allows one new rate calculation per year unless you are appealing a decision.
5. Calculators Are Not Enough
While calculators are great for finding your suggested payout, they can’t offer you any real advice on filing a claim. A calculator can’ help you know if you missed any important details.
Most importantly, a calculator won’t be able to advocate for you if any complications arise in your claim.
To avoid issues with filing, you should hire a disability attorney. They will advocate for you throughout the filing process but are exceptionally helpful if you have to file an appeal.
Since there are critical deadlines for filing documents and narrow windows for complaints and appeals, having an advocate may be the difference between getting paid or not and significantly changing your payment amount even if your claim is approved.
In summary, disability calculators are a great tool to help you determine your disability payment. A disability attorney is a final element you need to make sure your disability case is handled entirely.