The VA determines the level of disability and compensation by what they call ratings exams. The VA will send you to an evaluation by a physician (or psychologist or psychiatrist for mental health issues) who will give the VA a report on various criteria about the severity of your condition. Depending on the nature of your condition, your rating can be anywhere from as low as 0 percent up to 100 percent. Typically, many claims are rated in the 10 to 30 percent range, but more severe claims may be rated anywhere from 60 to 100 percent.