VA MATH Michael Snook NSO VA Math Tuesday Handout 1
OBJECTIVES Importance of VA Math. Discuss VA Math in depth. Examples/Scenarios. Bilateral Factors. The real truth. VA Math Tuesday Handout 2
38 CFR 4.25 Combined ratings table. results from the consideration of the efficiency of the individual as affected first by the most disabling condition, then by the less disabling condition, then by other less disabling conditions, if any, in the order of severity VA Math Tuesday Handout 3
Why is VA Math important? THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. VA Math Tuesday Handout 4
OBLIGATION & A DUTY VA Math Tuesday Handout 5
QUALITY OF LIFE Meaning: The Veteran s Yours Mine Military Order of the Purple Heart VA Math Tuesday Handout 6
A veteran files a claim for S/C compensation and received the following original award. 20% Diabetes Mellitus. 10% Neuropathy of the right lower extremity. 10% Tinnitus. 0% Erectile Dysfunction. What is his combined S/C percentage? VA Math Tuesday Handout 7
A Vietnam veteran files a claim for S/C and receives the following original award: 50% S/C for PTSD. 20% S/C for Diabetes Mellitus. 10% S/C for Neuropathy right lower extremity. 10% S/C for Neuropathy left lower extremity. 0% S/C for Diabetic Retinopathy right eye. 0% S/C for Erectile Dysfunction. What is his combined S/C disability percentage? VA Math Tuesday Handout 8
Why else is VA Math important? VA Math Tuesday Handout 9
$ VA Math Tuesday Handout 10
A veteran is in receipt of a combined S/C percentage of 20% for the following conditions notated in the left hand column effective March 3, 2008. He receives an increase for the following conditions notated in the right hand column on January 15, 2010. 10% Diabetes Mellitus. 10% Tinnitus. 0% Diabetic Neuropathy of the right lower extremity. 0% Diabetic Neuropathy of the left lower extremity. 10% Diabetic Neuropathy of the right lower extremity. 10% Diabetic Neuropathy of the left lower extremity. What is his new combined S/C percentage? VA Math Tuesday Handout 11
Veteran receives an original S/C award for the following conditions. Utilizing the theorem on the right hand side, what is his new percentage?: 50% PTSD 40% Traumatic Brain Injury 20% Diabetes Mellitus 10% Diabetic Neuropathy of the left lower extremity. 10% Diabetic Neuropathy of the right lower extremity. 10% Tinnitus. 0% Bilateral Hearing Loss. VA Math Tuesday Handout 12
Bilateral Factor 38 CFR 4.26 When a partial disability results from disease or injury of both arms, or of both legs, or of paired skeletal muscles, the ratings for the disabilities of the right and left sides will be combined as usual, and 10 percent of this value will be added (i.e., not combined) before proceeding with further combinations, or converting to degree of disability. The bilateral factor will be applied to such bilateral disabilities before other combinations are carried out and the rating for such disabilities including the bilateral in this section will be treated as one disability for the purpose of arranging in order of severity and for all further combinations. VA Math Tuesday Handout 13
Bilateral Factor 38 CFR 4.26 Continued The correct procedure when applying the bilateral factor to disabilities affecting both upper extremities and both lower extremities is to combine the ratings of the disabilities affecting the four extremities in the order of their individual severity and apply the bilateral factor by adding, not combining, 10 percent of the combined value thus attained. The bilateral factor is not applicable unless there is partial disability of compensable degree in each of 2 paired extremities, or paired skeletal muscles. VA Math Tuesday Handout 14
A veteran is in receipt of a combined S/C percentage of 20% for the following conditions notated in the left hand column effective March 3, 2008. He receives an increase for the following conditions notated in the right hand column on January 15, 2010. 10% Diabetes Mellitus. 10% Tinnitus. 0% Diabetic Neuropathy of the right lower extremity. 0% Diabetic Neuropathy of the left lower extremity. 10% Diabetic Neuropathy of the right lower extremity. 10% Diabetic Neuropathy of the left lower extremity. What is his percentage? VA Math Tuesday Handout 15
A Vietnam veteran files a claim for S/C and receives the following original award: 50% S/C for PTSD. 20% S/C for Diabetes Mellitus. 10% S/C for Neuropathy right lower extremity. 10% S/C for Neuropathy left lower extremity. 0% S/C for Diabetic Retinopathy right eye. 0% S/C for Erectile Dysfunction. Pre-Combine the bilateral factors first before utilizing VA Math for the other conditions. What is the overall combined percentage? VA Math Tuesday Handout 16
DIFFERENCE MAKERS VA Math Tuesday Handout 17
The Real Truth How does the VA configure the combine rating percentages for compensation? VA Math Tuesday Handout 18
The Calculator VA Math Tuesday Handout 19
Conclusion OBJECTIVES: Importance of VA Math. Discuss VA Math in depth. Examples/Scenarios. Bilateral Factors. The real truth. VA Math Tuesday Handout 20
End of Presentation. VA Math Tuesday Handout 21