If you believe your current disability rating doesn’t reflect the severity of your service-connected condition, you’re not alone. It’s believed that around 80% of veterans are underrated. As a result, thousands of veterans each year seek a VA disability rating increase to secure the compensation they rightfully deserve.
This process isn’t automatic—you must take specific steps to show that your condition has worsened or that additional issues have emerged.
Whether your symptoms have intensified, your quality of life has declined, or you’ve developed new secondary conditions, it may be time to request a reevaluation. A successful increase not only raises your monthly payments but could unlock new benefits such as healthcare access, housing support, or financial resources for dependents.
Are you wondering how to get permanent and total disability from the VA? Or claim a secondary condition that has arisen from another service-connected condition? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn when to apply for an increase, how to gather the necessary documentation, and what pitfalls to avoid. The goal is to help you build a persuasive, evidence-based case that aligns with how the VA evaluates disability ratings.
VA Rating Increases for Worsening or New Conditions
VA disability ratings are percentages assigned to each service-connected condition based on how much it impairs your ability to function. Depending on the condition, these ratings range from 0% to 100% and often ascend in 10% to 20% increments. Your overall compensation is tied to your combined rating. But conditions aren’t static—many worsen over time, and new symptoms or secondary conditions can develop. That’s where a VA disability rating increase becomes essential.
The Department of Veterans Affairs allows veterans to request an increase when there’s medical or functional evidence that a disability has become more severe. However, the burden of proof lies with you. You must demonstrate that your condition meets the criteria for a higher rating according to the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD).
This process requires current medical evidence, detailed documentation of symptoms, and often a new Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. The VA uses this information to reassess your condition’s impact on daily life, work, and personal function.
While filing a claim for an increase is your legal right, it comes with some risk. The VA can lower your rating if they determine your condition has improved. That’s why careful preparation is crucial. You’ll want to present strong evidence to show that your condition has not healed but gotten worse and is affecting different aspects of your life. When submitted correctly and with the right evidence, a VA disability rating increase claim can be a powerful step toward fair and full compensation.
Signs You May Need a VA Disability Rating Increase
Part of knowing how to maximize your VA disability rating is knowing when to file for an increase. Here are common indicators that your current rating no longer reflects your actual condition:
1. Worsening Symptoms
If your condition has become more painful, more frequent, or more disruptive to your daily life, that’s a sign your rating may need to be reassessed. For example, migraines that once flared up weekly but now affect you daily may warrant a higher evaluation. The same goes for knee arthritis that limits your range of motion more than it used to.
2. New Limitations or Assistive Devices
The need for a cane, brace, hearing aid, CPAP machine, or other medical device often signals a decline in functional capacity. This kind of change shows the VA that your condition has advanced beyond its original status.
3. Impact on Work or Daily Function
If your condition now interferes with your job, limits your mobility, or affects personal care, you may be eligible for a higher rating. Veterans may find themselves missing work, having to switch careers, or having to depend more on family members for financial support due to their condition. They should document and report these changes in their claim.
4. Development of Secondary Conditions
Some service-connected disabilities lead to new, related issues. For instance, a veteran with knee pain may later develop hip or lower back problems. Or someone with PTSD might develop insomnia. These can be filed as secondary claims, which, in turn, raise the combined rating.
How to File for a VA Disability Rating Increase
Filing for an increase involves updating your claim with new evidence. The VA needs a current snapshot of how your condition affects you today. Here’s how to move forward:
1. Submit VA Form 21-526EZ
This is the form1 used for initial claims and for requesting increases. You can file online through VA.gov, by mail, or with the help of an accredited representative.
2. Gather Recent Medical Evidence
You’ll need a current diagnosis to get your claim going. Make sure to visit your physician or specialist to get an updated evaluation. When you submit your claim, you should include evidence that documents flare-ups, changes in functionality, and new treatments. You should also include updated imaging or diagnostics.
3. Write a Personal Statement
Detail how your life has changed since your last rating decision. Focus on real examples: Are you missing more workdays? Can you no longer run errands or sleep through the night? These experiences help the VA understand your lived reality.
4. Prepare for a New C&P Exam
Most requests for increases require a new C&P exam. This exam allows a VA physician to assess your current condition and compare it to prior assessments. Be honest, clear, and specific about your symptoms. Don’t present yourself as though it’s your best day. You want the VA to know the difficulties you are facing as a result of your condition.
5. Include Buddy Letters
Statements from family members, employers, friends, or veterans who served with you can provide supporting evidence of how your condition affects your relationships, job performance, daily function, etc. Buddy letters can strengthen your claim by giving the VA a more complete picture.
Why Choose VA Claims Academy for Help with Your VA Disability Increase?
Do you need to know how to increase your VA disability from 80 to 100%? Or how to get from 90 to 100% VA disability? We have you covered.
Navigating the rating increase process is easier when you’re equipped with the right knowledge. That’s where VA Claims Academy comes in. As a leader in veteran disability claim assistance, we specialize in helping you get the rating increase you deserve. We teach you how to submit claims effectively, confidently, and with clarity.
Our resources help you understand the VA’s rating criteria, collect persuasive documentation, and prepare for each step of the claims process. You’ll learn how to:
- Identify qualifying symptoms for a higher rating
- Avoid common errors that trigger denials
- Approach the claim with a strategy that matches VA logic
- Write powerful personal statements
- Secure a nexus letter to strengthen the link between your health condition and your military service
With our veteran disability claim help, you’ll never have to guess your next step. You’ll gain practical knowledge that not only helps with your current rating increase but also prepares you for any future claims you may need to file (for secondary conditions, etc.).
Education is power, and with the right training, you can take full control of your benefits. We’ve helped many veterans unlock 100% VA disability benefits, and we’re excited to share the tools you’ll need to get the rating that you deserve.
FAQs: VA Disability Rating Increase
Can the VA reduce my rating if I request an increase?
Yes, if the VA finds evidence that your condition has improved. However, if your medical documentation clearly shows worsening symptoms, it is unlikely that the VA will lower your rating.
How long does it take to process a rating increase?
It typically takes 4–6 months for you to receive a veteran disability pay increase, but times vary based on claim complexity and regional VA workload.
What happens if my request is denied?
You can appeal through a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or a formal Board Appeal, depending on the circumstances.
Do I need to present new medical evidence?
Not if you are simply asking for a Higher-Level Review (where the VA checks for errors in your previous claim review). However, for other routes to a rating increase (such as a Supplemental Claim), you’ll need to show updated evidence. This could include a personal statement, nexus letter showing a connection between your military service and condition/disability, or medical records showing that your condition has worsened.
Will I need another C&P exam?
Most likely. This exam plays a major role in the VA’s decision and gives them a first-hand look at your current condition.
What should I say during the exam?
Be honest and descriptive. Don’t downplay your symptoms. Focus on how your condition affects your daily function and quality of life.
Can I file for multiple rating increases at once?
Yes, but you will likely need to submit a separate claim for each and provide ample supporting evidence.
How does a secondary condition affect my rating?
Secondary conditions, which develop secondary to a primary service-connected condition (like a knee injury that begins to cause hip pain over time), can add to your combined rating. When approved, secondary conditions can increase your overall compensation.
What tools can help me understand my rating?
Educational platforms like VA Claims Academy educate you on the most common VA disability claims (and the lesser-known ones, too). These platforms break down the VA’s complex rating system into digestible parts and can provide you with plug-and-play templates for personal statements, nexus letters, etc. They can greatly simplify the VA claims process.
Can I use a VSO or attorney for help?
Yes, accredited representatives can help—but with the right education, many veterans feel confident managing their own rating increase process.
1https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-526ez-are.pdf