VA Claim Rating Increase
Do you believe your current VA disability rating no longer reflects the severity of your condition? Maybe your symptoms have become worse, your limitations have increased, or you have developed another condition related to an existing service-connected disability. In these situations, you may want to explore whether a VA disability rating increase is appropriate.
A VA disability rating is not necessarily fixed forever. When a service-connected condition becomes more severe, veterans can generally request that VA reevaluate the condition. The evidence must show the current severity of the disability and how it affects your daily life and functioning.
A higher VA disability rating may increase your monthly compensation and, depending on your combined rating and circumstances, may affect eligibility for other VA benefits. However, requesting an increase is not simply a matter of checking a box. Strong supporting evidence and an accurate description of your current symptoms are important.
This guide explains when a VA rating increase may make sense, what evidence can support an increase, how to prepare for the process, and what options may be available if VA does not grant the increase you requested.
VA Disability Ratings Can Change
VA disability ratings are generally based on the severity of a service-connected condition and how that condition affects your occupational and social functioning or physical abilities, depending on the applicable rating criteria. Ratings can range from 0% to 100% for individual disabilities.
If your service-connected condition becomes more severe, your current rating may no longer accurately reflect your level of disability. In that situation, updated medical evidence and other relevant information may support a request for an increased rating.
For example, a veteran with a service-connected knee condition may experience increased pain, reduced range of motion, more frequent flare-ups, or greater difficulty walking. A veteran with a service-connected mental health condition may experience worsening symptoms that increasingly affect work, relationships, sleep, or everyday activities.
Filing for an increase does not guarantee that VA will raise your rating. VA reviews the evidence and applies the rating criteria applicable to your condition.
It’s also important to understand that a request for an increase can result in a review of the condition. Don’t exaggerate your symptoms, but don’t minimize them either. Your evidence should accurately describe your current level of disability.
When Should You Consider a VA Rating Increase?
There are several circumstances in which a veteran may want to consider requesting an increased VA disability rating.
Worsening Symptoms: If your pain has become more severe, your mobility has declined, your flare-ups have become more frequent, or your mental health symptoms have increased, updated evidence may support a higher evaluation.
Greater Functional Limitations: If a condition now makes it harder to work, exercise, sleep, communicate, travel, maintain relationships, or complete ordinary activities, document those changes. Explain what you can no longer do or what requires significantly more effort.
New or Increased Treatment: Changes in treatment can provide useful evidence of how your condition has progressed. This may include new medications, physical therapy, specialist treatment, emergency visits, procedures, or other medical care.
Development of a Secondary Condition: A service-connected disability may sometimes cause or aggravate another medical condition. If you have developed a condition that you believe is secondary to an existing service-connected disability, you may be able to pursue service connection for that additional condition.
Impact on Employment: If your service-connected disabilities significantly interfere with your ability to maintain substantially gainful employment, you may want to learn more about Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and whether you meet its requirements.
Keeping track of changes in your symptoms, treatment, and functional limitations can make it easier to explain how your condition has progressed over time.
How to Request a VA Rating Increase
If you believe your current rating is too low, the appropriate filing method depends on your circumstances and whether you are seeking an increased evaluation, challenging a recent decision, or pursuing another issue.
For an increased rating, veterans generally file a claim for an increased evaluation through VA. VA.gov provides current instructions and filing options for disability compensation claims.
If you disagree with a recent VA decision, you may instead have options such as a Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board appeal. The appropriate option depends on the decision and whether you have new and relevant evidence.
Before filing, review your existing decision and determine exactly what has changed or why you believe the current evaluation does not accurately reflect your disability.
Tips for Preparing a VA Rating Increase Claim
Gather current medical evidence: Recent medical records can help document your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, progression, and functional limitations. Include relevant VA and private treatment records when available.
Document your symptoms: Keep an accurate record of symptoms, flare-ups, limitations, treatment, and changes over time. This can help you describe your condition consistently.
Write a detailed personal statement: Explain how your condition affects your everyday life. Focus on specific limitations rather than simply stating that your condition has become worse.
Use buddy or lay statements when appropriate: Family members, friends, coworkers, or other people who have personally observed changes in your condition may be able to provide relevant statements.
Consider medical opinions when appropriate: Depending on your claim, a qualified healthcare professional may be able to provide an opinion or additional medical evidence addressing your condition or a secondary condition.
Don’t exaggerate or minimize your symptoms: Your goal should be accuracy. Explain what you experience in your own words and provide specific examples of how the condition affects your functioning.
Prepare for a C&P examination: VA may schedule a Compensation & Pension examination as part of the evaluation process. Be honest and describe your actual symptoms, including how they affect you during flare-ups and on difficult days.
A strong rating increase claim is not about submitting the largest amount of paperwork possible. It is about providing relevant, credible evidence that accurately demonstrates the current severity of your service-connected condition.
What If VA Doesn't Increase Your Rating?
If VA denies your request for an increased rating or assigns a rating that you believe is incorrect, you may have additional review options.
A Higher-Level Review may be appropriate if you believe VA made an error based on the evidence that was already available when the decision was made.
A Supplemental Claim may be appropriate if you have new and relevant evidence that could affect the decision.
You may also request review by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if that option is available for your decision.
The best option depends on the reason for the decision and the evidence available. Carefully review your VA decision letter before choosing how to proceed.
Why Choose Vet Uplift?
Understanding how VA evaluates disabilities can make the rating increase process much less confusing. Vet Uplift provides educational resources and practical guidance to help veterans better understand the VA disability system and prepare their own claims.
Our resources can help you understand:
How VA ratings work: Learn how disability evaluations are determined and why the severity and functional impact of your condition matter.
How to document worsening symptoms: Understand how medical records, treatment history, personal statements, and other evidence can help explain changes in your condition.
How to prepare personal statements: Use practical guidance and templates to explain your symptoms and daily limitations clearly and accurately.
How to prepare for a C&P exam: Learn what to expect and how to communicate your symptoms honestly without minimizing or exaggerating your condition.
How secondary conditions work: Understand the basic concept of secondary service connection and the types of evidence that may be relevant when another condition is related to an existing service-connected disability.
How to understand your options: If VA does not grant the increase you requested, learn about the different review options that may be available based on your decision.
Your VA rating should be based on the evidence and applicable rating criteria. Vet Uplift helps you understand the process so you can approach your claim with greater knowledge and confidence.
FAQs: VA Claim Rating Increase
How often can I request a VA rating increase?
There is generally no fixed waiting period that applies to every increased-rating claim. If your service-connected condition has worsened, you may be able to request an increase, but your evidence should support the current severity of the condition.
What evidence do I need for a rating increase?
Relevant evidence can include current medical records, treatment history, examination findings, personal statements, and lay statements. The appropriate evidence depends on the condition and the circumstances of your claim.
Will I need another C&P exam?
Possibly. VA may schedule a C&P examination when additional medical information is needed to evaluate the current severity of your disability.
Can my VA rating decrease after I request an increase?
A rating increase request results in a review of the disability. While a decrease is not automatic, VA can reduce a rating in certain circumstances when the evidence and applicable rules support a reduction.
Can a secondary condition increase my overall VA rating?
Potentially. If VA determines that another condition is secondary to a service-connected disability, it may receive its own disability evaluation. Your combined VA rating is calculated according to VA’s combined-ratings rules.
What is the difference between a rating increase and TDIU?
A rating increase evaluates the severity of a particular service-connected disability. TDIU is a separate benefit that may allow certain veterans to receive compensation at the 100% rate when service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment and the applicable requirements are met.
Can buddy statements help with a rating increase?
They can provide useful firsthand information about symptoms and functional limitations that someone has personally observed. They should be truthful, specific, and based on the writer’s own observations.
Can I appeal if VA doesn't increase my rating?
Depending on the decision, you may have options such as a Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board appeal. Review your decision carefully to determine which options are available.
Can a VA rating increase result in back pay?
Potentially. If VA grants an increased rating, the effective date determines when the increased compensation may begin. The amount and effective date depend on the facts of the individual claim.
Do I need a lawyer to request a rating increase?
No. Veterans can generally file their own VA claims. You may also choose to work with an accredited representative if you want assistance understanding or pursuing your claim.
Your Service Deserves a Final “Yes.”
You served your country. If your service-connected condition has worsened, make sure you understand how VA evaluates disability ratings and what evidence may support your request for an increase.
Vet Uplift provides educational resources, practical guidance, and tools designed to help veterans better understand the VA disability process and prepare their claims with greater confidence.
Don’t rely on guesswork. Understand your current rating, document your condition accurately, gather relevant evidence, and take your next step with a clearer understanding of the VA rating increase process.
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