Depending on the severity of your condition, you will be assigned a VA disability rating accordingly. These ratings are used to assign diagnostic codes for medical conditions related to active service. The higher the rating, the higher the compensation amount that a veteran will receive on a monthly basis. If a veteran has more than one medical condition, they will individually be assigned their own rating, instead of being added together. If you are asking “How do I get my VA disability increased?”, this guide is for you.
Increasing Your VA Disability Rating
Let’s say you have a 70% VA disability rating. There are certain circumstances where a VA may increase your rating. However, the only way to do this is by submitting evidence showing proof that your current condition has gotten worse. If you believe that you have a condition that you believe deserves a higher disability rating than the one you currently have, there are a couple of different options you can take into consideration.
You have the option of either filing an appeal, or filing a claim to receive a higher rating.
If you choose to file an appeal, you will only have one year from the date listed on your VA award letter. Once you file an appeal, you will have several options to select from. You can choose a higher-level review lane, a Notice of Disagreement lane, or a supplemental claim lane. As mentioned earlier, you only have one year from the date listed in your letter to file an appeal using any of these options.
Increased Rating Claim
It is possible for your condition to worsen over the years even after you’ve been assigned a rating from the VA. To request an increased rating, you may also file a claim. However, if a year has passed since your initial claim date, you will have to file a brand new claim to receive an increased rating. When you submit your new claim, be sure to submit new documentation showing that your condition has worsened.
The VA will treat your new claim like your past claim. This means that a new rating decision will be made. All evidence that you submit must be considered “new.”
Can I Increase my Rating to 100%?
If you have a rating of 70% or higher, it is possible to increase your rating to 100%. However, you should keep your conditions in mind when looking for an increase. You can read through the rating criteria to simply figure out how your symptoms align with the ones that are listed. You can also have a physician submit proof regarding the severity of your condition. This is all information that can help you get a higher rating.
Furthermore, if you are attempting to receive a 100% rating for any of your conditions, and you don’t currently have a 100% rating for any of your listed conditions, there is only one way to get there. You will have to have a combined disability rating of at least 95%. With that being said, you may want to consider filing a claim for other conditions that you have that you think may be related to your active service.