Transparent by design

Methodology and official sources

The calculation domain is separate from the interface, uses whole percentage values, stores money in integer cents, and produces an audit trail for every combination.

Combined ratings

Included ratings are ordered from highest to lowest. Each next percentage applies to the efficiency remaining after the higher combined value. The intermediate result is rounded to the whole number represented by Table I. Conversion to the nearest multiple of 10 happens once, after all combinations; a final 5 rounds up.

60% + 30%

60% leaves 40% efficiency. Thirty percent of 40 is 12. Raw result: 72%. Rounded schedular result: 70%.

60% + 40% + 20%

60 and 40 combine to 76. Then 76 and 20 combine to 81. Final rounded result: 80%.

Bilateral factor

A compensable left and right disability must be entered in the same qualifying paired group. Those ratings combine first; 10% of that combined bilateral value is added, not combined. The resulting subtotal becomes one rating for later combinations. Valid removals are exhaustively compared to implement § 4.26(d).

Bilateral 10% + 10%

The pair combines to 19. Ten percent of 19 rounds to 2 points, making a bilateral subtotal of 21. In the regulatory 60, 20, 10, 10 example, 60, 21, and 20 combine to raw 74 and rounded 70.

Compensation

The rate set whose effective range contains the selected date is used. Ten and 20 percent are flat rates. At 30% and above, the spouse/parent/child table row and reviewed added amounts are used. Any missing, unverified, or unusual necessary record blocks an exact estimate.

70%, spouse, 3 children under 18, spouse A&A

$2,074.45 base + $76.00 + $76.00 for two additional children + $141.00 spouse A&A = $2,367.45 monthly.

SMC, SMC-K, and TDIU

SMC and TDIU are never inferred. A user-provided SMC base replaces ordinary compensation according to the official table; SMC-K is added only when permitted. A user-provided TDIU selection preserves the schedular result while using the 100% ordinary payment table.

One SMC-K award

The 2026 add-on is $139.87 when the selected base combination permits it.

Manual SMC-L example

With spouse, 3 children under 18, 1 school child over 18, and spouse A&A: $5,281.24 + $109.11 + $109.11 + $352.45 + $201.41 = $6,053.32.

Authoritative references