This refers to a tool utilized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to estimate disability compensation for conditions affecting both sides of the body. For instance, it is applied when a veteran experiences impairments in both knees, both arms, or both ears. The calculations involved account for the combined effect of these bilateral disabilities on the veteran’s overall functional capacity.
The process helps ensure fair and accurate disability ratings, reflecting the significant impact that symmetrical impairments can have on a veteran’s quality of life. This methodology acknowledges that disabilities affecting both sides of the body can be more debilitating than a single-sided impairment of comparable severity. Its adoption represents a key advancement in the VA’s commitment to providing equitable benefits to those who served.