VA Rating Increase

If your service-connected condition has worsened since your original VA rating, you may be eligible for a VA rating increase. Many veterans believe once they receive a rating, it's set in stone—but that's not the case. The VA allows you to request a reevaluation, especially if your symptoms have become more severe or new complications have emerged.

This is also the case if you were underrated to begin with. You have recourse through requesting different types of reevaluations, often in conjunction with new documentation.

Getting an increased rating can mean more monthly compensation and access to additional VA benefits like healthcare, housing assistance, and vocational support. However, the process isn't automatic. You need to submit evidence and documentation to show that your condition merits a higher rating.

Whether you're rated at 10%, 30%, or even 80%, this guide will walk you through how to recognize when it's time to request a VA disability increase, how to present the right evidence to support your claim, and what to expect during the process. Whether you're aiming to move from 80% to 100% disabled veteran benefits or looking to push past a stubborn 70% rating, the following steps will give you the tools to build a strong, persuasive claim.

Over time, service-connected conditions often get worse. You might develop new symptoms, experience more frequent flare-ups, or find yourself relying more on assistive devices. For example, some conditions are notorious for progressing as the years pass, like degenerative arthritis, PTSD, or hearing loss. If the VA originally gave you a lower rating due to "mild" symptoms and those symptoms are now clearly moderate or severe, you shouldn't hesitate to revisit your claim.

In other cases, secondary conditions arise that make your day-to-day life even harder. For example, maybe your service-connected knee arthritis has thrown off your gait and led to persistent ankle pain. Now, you have grounds to claim ankle pain secondary to knee arthritis.

The VA allows you to file a request for an increased rating at any time, but you'll need solid evidence that your condition has changed. This could include new medical diagnoses and treatment records, records of lost work time due to your disability, a new personal statement showing how your worsening symptoms are affecting your daily life, and buddy letters from the people around you who can vouch for your declining condition.

Many veterans hesitate to file for an increase because they're worried the VA might reduce their current rating. While this is a valid concern, reductions typically only happen if there's clear improvement documented in your file. If your symptoms have worsened and your claim is well-supported, you're more likely to benefit than lose ground.

The ratings process doesn't just apply to veterans who are experiencing worsening symptoms, it can also apply to those who were underrated for the condition from the get-go and want a ruling to be reviewed for errors and/or present more compelling evidence to make their case.

Still not sure if you should file for a VA disability increase? Here's a quick recap list to help you know when an increase may be appropriate:

Another major reason veterans file for reevaluation is to be considered for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). TDIU is compensated at the same level as 100% disability, but you don't have to be 100% disabled to receive this classification. Rather, you have to show that you are unable to hold substantially gainful employment due to your service-connected condition.

For instance, if you're currently rated at 50% for back pain but your condition is such that it keeps you from holding a job, you might be eligible for TDIU—compensated at the 100% VA disability rate.

There are a few different forms you can use to request a veteran disability pay increase, depending on the nature of your claim:

You can also file a formal appeal, but this starts your claim all over again and can often take years for approval.

After submitting the appropriate form and any needed supporting documentation, you may be scheduled for a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. At this visit, a VA doctor (or contracted doctor) will evaluate your condition and determine whether or not it is service-connected. You will want to be well prepared for this exam because it factors heavily into your VA rating.

Filing a request for a VA disability rating increase isn't just about filling out the right form. The VA needs convincing evidence that your condition has worsened or was underrated from the start.

Here's how to make your case stronger:

• Make Sure You Have a Diagnosis: While this may seem very basic, some veterans file without having a current diagnosis. Make sure that you have a formal diagnosis from an authorized medical provider.
• Update Your Medical Records: The VA wants to see that you are actively seeking treatment for your condition. If you haven't been to the doctor for your condition lately, schedule an appointment today. When you submit your claim, make sure to submit updated records of doctor visits, prescriptions, therapy notes, and specialist reports. These show that you've sought care and that your condition is still active or worsening.
• Get a Nexus Letter: If you don't have documentation showing a clear connection between your condition and your military service, get a nexus letter from a doctor. This letter should show that there is more than a 50% chance that your condition is related to your military service.
• Be Specific About Symptoms: Vague statements like "my back hurts more" won't be enough. Describe your limitations. Can you no longer lift 20 pounds? Are you unable to walk without a cane? Do you struggle with focus, sleep, or self-care?
• Submit a Personal Statement: Write a statement explaining how your condition has changed since your last rating. Include daily limitations, work impact, and any emotional or social changes. Explain how these things affect your professional and personal life. Keep your personal statement short and to the point—several paragraphs should do. Don't talk about things that aren't related to your service connection. For example, if you were under fire in Bagram and that triggered your PTSD, focus on that. Don't focus on the trauma from your parents' divorce when you were a teenager. Stick to the service connection.
• Get Buddy Statements: You can gather buddy statements from friends, family, or co-workers to show how your condition has affected you. Don't submit them if they don't support your case well. But often, they can be a good way for the people around you to show how you are affected on a regular basis by your service-connected illness or injury.
• Prepare for a C&P Exam: Take this exam seriously. Don't minimize your symptoms. Explain how your worst days look—not just how you feel in the moment. Take your medical records with you. (Sometimes, the VA contracts with doctors and they may not have full access to your medical records.) Take your personal statement with you, and feel free to read it if it helps you stick to the facts, rather than wandering off into impertinent details.

Finally, be persistent. The VA ratings increase process isn't always quick, but when approached with the right strategy, it can lead to substantial increases in your benefits.

Getting a VA rating increase isn't just about filling out a form—it's about knowing what the VA is looking for and how to present your case to their specifications. That's where VA Claims Academy comes in.

We've helped many veterans like you achieve 100% disabled veteran benefits—often for military service rendered decades ago and for conditions that were not diagnosed while they were in the military. We equip you with the tools, strategies, and knowledge to take control of your claim and pursue the rating you truly deserve.

From teaching you how to document worsening symptoms, write a killer personal statement, or prepare for your C&P exam, VA Claims Academy gives you the advantage of veteran-tested guidance. Many veterans miss out on thousands in lifetime benefits simply because they don't know how to navigate the system. VA Claims Academy exists to fix that.

You've already done the hard part—serving your country. Now let VA Claims Academy help you advocate for yourself and secure the benefits you've earned.