VA Bilateral Factor Explained

The VA bilateral factor can apply when a veteran has compensable service-connected disabilities affecting both sides of paired extremities.

Common bilateral examples

Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy
Right and left hip strain
Both knees, ankles, or feet
Both shoulders, elbows, wrists, or hands

How it works

The bilateral ratings are combined first. Then the VA adds 10% of that bilateral subtotal before combining the adjusted value with the rest of the veteran's ratings.

Example: Right leg 20%, left leg 20%, right hip 10%, and left hip 10% are grouped together before being combined with ratings such as PTSD, migraines, tinnitus, or back strain.

Ratings that are usually not bilateral

Conditions like PTSD, migraines, tinnitus, and lumbar strain are usually treated as regular ratings, not bilateral ratings.

Use the Bilateral Factor Calculator