Your VA Rating

Select your current rating and the rating you're considering pursuing.

Current VA Disability Rating

Please select your current rating

Updated VA Rating

The rating you're considering pursuing

Please select your updated rating

Your Details

Enter your age to calculate the lifetime value of this increase.

Your Current Age The younger you are, the more valuable an increase becomes

Please enter your current age

Project Until Age How far to project the numbers (default: 80)

Stop Investing At Age When contributions stop; balance keeps growing (default: 60). VA compensation continues regardless.

Projection Settings

Fine-tune the assumptions for your projections. The defaults are based on historical averages.

Annual Investment Return S&P 500 historical avg: ~10% nominal

Annual Inflation Rate Historical average: ~3%

Annual COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) VA payments increase each year with COLA. Historical average: ~2.6%

Your Compensation Analysis

Rating change from —% to —% over — years

                    Additional Monthly Compensation
                  
—

                    From $— to $—

First Year Total

—

📊 Value Over Your —-Year Projection

💵

Total Additional Compensation

From age — to — (— years, includes annual COLA)

—

In future dollars (not adjusted for inflation)

Assumes —% annual COLA adjustment

📈 Hypothetical: If Invested for Growth

Educational illustration only - not investment advice. Shows what could happen if you invested the additional compensation each month.

Total Contributed

—

In today's dollars

Hypothetical Growth

—

From compound returns

🎯

Hypothetical Portfolio Value

--

—

Assumes —% annual return, —% inflation, —% COLA. Values in today's dollars.

⚖️

What You'd Miss at Current Rating

If rating stays at —% over this period

—

Additional compensation over — years you wouldn't receive

💡 Bottom Line

—

📧

Get Your Personalized Rating Analysis

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💡 Considering Filing?

An Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) preserves your effective date for up to 1 year while you consult with a VSO about whether to proceed.

File Intent to File (Free) →

Important: Filing an actual claim can open your entire rating for review. Consult a free VSO before filing any claim. ITF only preserves your date - it doesn't commit you to anything.

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Important: This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Projections use simplified models that do not capture every real-world factor. Default assumptions: 10% nominal return and 3% inflation (based on S&P 500 historical average, 1926–2025; ~7% real return after inflation). Investment growth projections assume tax-advantaged treatment (e.g., Roth IRA); actual results in taxable accounts will be lower due to taxes on dividends and capital gains. VA disability ratings are based on medical evidence of service-connected conditions — never exaggerate symptoms or file fraudulent claims. Past performance does not guarantee future results. VA disability ratings may be subject to periodic re-evaluation and could be reduced. Consult an accredited VSO for claims guidance and a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. VetFIRE LLC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Full Disclaimer →

VA Rating Compensation Calculator