CRSC rating

[kandon]

I am confused with the rating I received for a claim I made for CRSC. I received the approval letter today, but I disagree with the amount of disability. These are the ratings:
Diabetes mellitus VA code 7913 20%
Paralysis of external popliteal nerve-right lower bilateral factor yes va code 8521 10%
Paralysis of external popliteal nerve-left lower bilateral factor yes va code 8521 10%
Inflammation of ulner nerve-diabetic polyneuropathy-right upper bilateral factor yes va code 8612 20%
Inflamation of ulner nerve-diabetic polyneuropathy-left upper bilateral factor yes va code 8612 20%
They come up with a total of 60%, yet I keep coming up with 70% due to the bilateral awards. Can someone tell me whether 60% or 70% is correct. Thanks.

[TinCanMan]

Start by combining BiLat Conditions
20% (PN RU) combined with 20% (PN LU) is 36%
36% combined with 10% (popliteal nerve RL) is 42%%
42% combined with 10% (popliteal nerve LL) is 48%
.1 x 48 is 4.8% (bilateral factor)
4.8% + 48% is 52.8% (BF added to % for BiLat conditions)
52.8% rounded to whole number is 53%
Now combine remaining non-bilat conditions
53% combined with 20% (DMII) is 62%
62% rounded to nearest number divisible by 10 is 60%

Your CRSC rating should be 60%

[kandon]

Thanks Tincanman--I was using a program called the PEB forum benefits calculator which has been correct in the past and I really appreciate the break down you outlined. You provide a very valuable service to the veteran.

[TinCanMan]

No problem mate, glad to help. I've seen various spread sheets and programs on the web. Almost all fail to handle BiLats properly or they have rounding errors which breakdown with large strings of 10% awards. The one on the PEB forum is better than most but still doesn't allow you to know your real percentage. Lots of vets want to know how close they are to the next higher percentage.

If you want to do thingd right, use the chart in 38 CFR and calculate manually. If you want to learn how, I'll work with you on that.

Always do BiLats first
Always do larger percentages first
Round Bilats to nearest whole number once
Round final combined number to nearest number divisable by 10