Claim Raven explanation
What this means
This law provides for combining ratings when a veteran has qualifying disabilities from both wartime and other service periods. It prevents the different periods from being treated as unrelated compensation systems.
Combining ratings still follows VA's applicable calculation rules. Percentages are not simply added together, and the statute does not independently establish service connection for either disability.
How this helps your claim
Compare the award's list of service-connected conditions across all qualifying periods. Then check the combined-rating calculation using the applicable regulation.
What to check in your records
Use your decision, examination reports, and relevant records to check the following points.
- Confirm that disabilities from each relevant service period appear in the award.
- Review the individual evaluations and effective dates.
- Compare the combined result with the combined-ratings rules rather than ordinary addition.
Combine the recognized disabilities under one framework
A veteran can have service-connected disabilities arising from different qualifying service periods. This statute directs their combination rather than treating wartime and other service as separate payment systems. Each underlying disability still requires its own entitlement finding.
Keep the individual evaluations and effective dates available when checking the overall award. The combination uses VA's applicable method, including any relevant special rules. A shared statutory framework does not mean the percentages are added arithmetically or that all conditions necessarily began on the same date.
Do wartime and peacetime percentages get added directly?
No. The statute provides for combination under the applicable rating rules. Section 4.25 explains the combined-ratings method. The source of the service period does not convert that method into simple addition or eliminate other applicable combination restrictions.
Official statutory text
38 USC § 1157
OLRC release through Public Law 119-102 (July 12, 2026). Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The statutory text is shown here; publisher source credits and editorial notes remain in the linked official release.
§ 1157. Combination of certain ratings
The Secretary shall provide for the combination of ratings and pay compensation at the rates prescribed in subchapter II of this chapter to those veterans who served during a period of war and during any other time, who have suffered disability in line of duty in each period of service.
Related references
- 38 USC § 5107: Benefit of the doubt in VA claims
- 38 CFR § 3.159: VA duty to assist: records and examinations
Ready to review your own document? Start your free claim review.