Key Takeaways: Veterans can increase their VA disability rating by gathering updated medical evidence, filing VA Form 21-526EZ or a supplemental claim, and demonstrating that their service-connected conditions have worsened. The process typically takes 3-4 months and may result in back pay to the effective date of filing.
Getting Started
Veterans who want to understand how to increase their VA disability rating need to learn about the federal regulations, evidence requirements, and procedural options that can significantly impact their compensation. This comprehensive guide provides both self-filing guidance for beginners and advanced strategies for those considering professional assistance.
Understanding VA Disability Ratings
The VA disability rating system assigns percentage ratings from 0% to 100% based on how severely your service-connected conditions impact your ability to work and function. These ratings determine your monthly compensation amount.
Individual conditions receive percentage ratings in increments of 10%, and when you have multiple conditions, they’re combined using VA math—not simple addition. Your combined rating determines your monthly compensation level, and these ratings can be increased when conditions worsen over time.
How Combined Rating Math Works
If you have a 30% rating and a 20% rating, the VA doesn’t simply add them together. Instead, they start with your 30% rating (representing 30% efficiency loss), then apply the 20% to your remaining 70% efficiency. This means 70% × 20% = 14% additional efficiency loss. Your total efficiency loss becomes 30% + 14% = 44%, which the VA rounds to the nearest 10%—giving you a 40% combined rating.
Recognizing Disability Worsening
Your condition may qualify for an increased rating when you experience increased frequency or severity of symptoms, new symptoms related to existing conditions, greater functional limitations in daily activities, reduced ability to work or maintain employment, or need for more intensive medical treatment. Document these changes carefully as they form the foundation of your increase request.
When You Can Request a Rating Increase
Veterans have several pathways to request rating increases, depending on their specific circumstances and the type of evidence available. Understanding which option best fits your situation can significantly impact your claim’s success rate and processing time.
Your Primary Filing Options
New Claim for Increased Rating works best when your service-connected condition has clearly worsened. This option requires current medical evidence showing deterioration and results in a new Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination. Choose this path when you have clear medical documentation of worsening symptoms.
Supplemental Claim allows you to file with new and relevant evidence not previously submitted. There’s no time limit for filing, and this option maintains the earliest possible effective date. This route works best when you have new medical records, test results, or lay evidence that wasn’t available during your initial claim.
Higher-Level Review requests a senior reviewer to examine the same evidence without allowing new submissions. This option identifies potential VA errors in decision-making and works best for cases where the VA may have misinterpreted existing evidence.
Most veterans benefit from the Supplemental Claim route when they have updated medical records showing condition progression. If you’re unsure which option fits your situation, consulting with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or attorney can provide clarity.
Evidence Required for a Strong Increase Claim
Strong evidence forms the foundation of successful rating increase claims. Veterans must meet specific evidentiary standards to demonstrate their conditions have worsened since their last rating decision.
Medical Evidence Requirements
Your updated VA medical records should include treatment notes showing increased symptoms or limitations, mental health counseling records documenting worsening conditions, emergency room visits related to service-connected conditions, and hospitalization records for condition-related admissions.
Private medical records carry significant weight and should include independent medical evaluations from treating physicians, specialist consultations and treatment recommendations, diagnostic test results like X-rays, MRIs, or blood work, and physical therapy or occupational therapy assessments.
The Power of Nexus Letters
A strong nexus letter from a medical professional includes the doctor’s credentials and experience treating your condition, a thorough review of your military and medical history, a medical opinion linking current symptoms to your service-connected condition, and crucially, a statement that worsening is “at least as likely as not” related to military service.
Lay Evidence and Buddy Statements
Buddy statements provide powerful supporting evidence when written correctly. Family members, friends, coworkers, and fellow veterans can write these statements, focusing on specific observations of how your condition affects daily life. The most effective statements compare your functioning before and after service or document changes over time with specific dates, frequencies, and concrete examples.
For example, a strong buddy statement might read: “I have known [Veteran’s name] since [date]. I personally observed that since their military service, they experience [specific symptoms] approximately [frequency]. This impacts their ability to [specific activities]. Before military service, they were able to [previous capabilities]. I have witnessed [specific incidents or limitations].”
Essential Evidence Checklist:
- Updated VA medical records from the past 2 years
- Private doctor visits and treatment notes
- Recent diagnostic tests or imaging
- Nexus letter from a qualified medical professional
- 2-3 buddy statements from different perspectives
- Employment records showing work impact
- Daily activity logs for 30-60 days
- Previous rating decision letter for comparison
Filing Process: Forms, Letters & Timeline
Veterans have multiple options for submitting rating increase requests, each with specific procedures and expected timelines. Understanding these options helps you choose the most efficient path for your situation.
Filing Methods
VA Form 21-526EZ remains the standard form for new claims and rating increases. You can file it online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person. This form allows attachment of supporting evidence and triggers automatic C&P examination scheduling.
Alternatively, you can submit a letter request to your Regional Office—a simple letter stating your intent to increase rating for specific conditions. Include your full name, SSN, current address, and reference specific conditions by name and current rating percentage. While less formal, this method is equally valid.
Online filing through VA.gov offers the fastest submission method with immediate confirmation of receipt, ability to upload supporting documents, and real-time claim status tracking.
Timeline Expectations
The standard processing timeline typically follows this pattern: Initial review takes 30-60 days for claim development, C&P exam scheduling occurs 30-90 days after filing, and the final decision arrives 30-60 days after examination. The total average runs 3-4 months from filing to decision.
Consider filing a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) to expedite processing. By submitting all evidence with your initial filing and waiving the development period, you can achieve faster processing (often 2-3 months) and higher approval rates due to complete evidence submission.
Understanding Effective Dates and Back Pay
Your effective date generally becomes the date the VA receives your increase request, though an earlier effective date is possible if filing within one year of medical evidence. Back pay calculates from the effective date to the decision date—the monthly compensation difference multiplied by the number of months.
For example, if your current 30% rating pays $524/month and increases to 50% at $1,041/month, the $517 monthly difference over 6 months equals $3,102 in back pay.
Alternative Routes: TDIU and Extra-Schedular Ratings
When standard rating increases don’t fully compensate for disability impact, veterans have additional legal pathways to maximum compensation.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
Schedular TDIU eligibility requires either one service-connected condition rated 60% or higher, or multiple conditions with one rated 40% and a combined rating of 70% or higher. You must be unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, with income generally under $15,000 annually.
Extra-Schedular TDIU serves veterans not meeting standard percentage requirements but who can prove service-connected disabilities prevent all employment. While requiring a higher burden of proof, it’s available for exceptional cases based on individual unemployability rather than rating percentages.
Strong TDIU evidence includes employment history showing job loss or inability to maintain work, vocational rehabilitation records, medical opinions linking unemployability to service-connected conditions, and Social Security disability determinations (supportive but not required).
Extra-Schedular Ratings Beyond 100%
Based on the landmark Thun v. Peake court ruling, veterans may qualify for ratings above the typical schedule when condition severity exceeds typical manifestations, unique symptoms aren’t contemplated by the rating schedule, or an exceptional degree of disability warrants higher compensation.
Consider extra-schedular relief when your symptoms significantly exceed typical cases at your rating level, the standard rating schedule doesn’t account for your specific manifestations, or you have multiple hospitalizations or exceptional treatment requirements.
2025 Updates: COLA, Rating Criteria Changes & Strategic Timing
Veterans should be aware of recent and proposed changes that may impact their rating increase strategies and compensation amounts.
2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
The December 2024 COLA brought a 2.5% increase in all VA disability compensation rates, effective December 1, 2024. This automatic adjustment requires no action from veterans.
Updated 2025 Monthly Compensation Rates:
- 10% rating: $171/month
- 30% rating: $524/month
- 50% rating: $1,041/month
- 70% rating: $1,716/month
- 100% rating: $3,737/month
Proposed Rating Criteria Changes
Mental health conditions may see potential updates to PTSD rating criteria, enhanced consideration of social and occupational impairment, and possible expansion of evidence types accepted for mental health claims.
Sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings face ongoing review of diagnostic criteria and rating assignments, with potential changes to secondary condition connections, though the timeline for implementation remains uncertain.
If proposed changes might negatively impact your claim, consider filing under current criteria before implementation. Conversely, if changes appear favorable, you might wait for finalization before filing.
The Benefit-of-the-Doubt Rule (Bufkin v. Collins)
The Bufkin v. Collins court ruling clarified that when evidence is approximately equal, veterans receive the benefit of the doubt. Close cases should be decided in favor of the veteran, the VA must clearly explain why evidence doesn’t support a claim, and veterans can challenge decisions that don’t properly apply this rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the VA decrease my rating when I file for an increase? Yes, but it’s uncommon. The VA can reduce ratings if it finds evidence that your condition has improved or if the original rating was incorrect. However, ratings protected under the 20-year rule or based on specific legal protections generally cannot be reduced.
What if my rating decision is more than a year old? You can still file for an increase at any time if your condition has worsened. There’s no time limit for filing increase requests, though earlier filing may result in earlier effective dates and more back pay.
How do I submit buddy statements effectively? Buddy statements should be written by people who know you well and can describe specific observations of your condition’s impact. They should be detailed, factual, and focus on comparing your functioning over time. Submit them with your initial claim filing when possible.
Does work impairment count toward my rating? Yes, occupational impairment is a key factor in VA disability ratings. Document missed work, workplace accommodations needed, reduced productivity, or inability to perform certain job functions due to your service-connected conditions.
Can I file for multiple conditions at once? Yes, you can request increases for multiple service-connected conditions in a single claim. This is often more efficient than filing separate claims for each condition.
What happens if my C&P exam results are unfavorable? You have several options: request a new examination if the first was inadequate, submit additional evidence to clarify your condition’s severity, or file an appeal if you disagree with the decision based on the examination.
Getting Help: Veterans Service Organizations & Legal Representation
Veterans have multiple options for professional assistance with rating increase claims, from free VSO services to specialized legal representation.
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)
Major national VSOs provide free comprehensive assistance:
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV): 1-877-426-2838
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): 1-833-843-8387
- American Legion: 1-800-433-3318
- Vietnam Veterans of America: 1-800-882-1316
VSO services include free claim preparation and filing assistance, evidence gathering guidance and support, C&P examination preparation, appeals representation, and ongoing case management.
VA-Accredited Attorneys
Consider legal representation for complex cases involving multiple conditions or prior denials, TDIU or extra-schedular rating claims, cases requiring extensive medical evidence development, and appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or higher courts.
Attorney representation provides specialized knowledge of VA law and precedential cases, resources for obtaining expert medical opinions, experience with complex evidence development, and representation at Board hearings and court appeals.
Self-Filing vs Professional Help
Self-filing may work best when you have clear medical documentation of condition worsening, your case is straightforward with good evidence, you’re comfortable navigating VA forms and procedures, and your condition increase seems obvious from medical records.
Consider professional help when your initial claim was denied or you’ve had multiple denials, you need assistance obtaining nexus letters or medical opinions, your case involves complex legal issues or unusual circumstances, you’re seeking TDIU or extra-schedular ratings, or you feel overwhelmed by the evidence requirements or procedures.
Many VSOs and attorneys offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and discuss the best strategy for your specific situation. This can help you determine whether professional assistance would benefit your claim.
Take Action Today
To increase your VA disability rating, gather updated medical evidence showing your condition has worsened, file VA Form 21-526EZ or a supplemental claim, and be prepared for a C&P examination. The process typically takes 3-4 months, and successful claims result in increased monthly compensation plus back pay.
Consider professional help from VSOs or attorneys for complex cases or if you need assistance gathering evidence. Contact a Veterans Service Organization for free assistance or consult with a VA-accredited attorney to discuss your specific case and develop the strongest possible strategy for your rating increase claim. You can reach our attorneys for injured veterans at (866) 779-9990.
Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. VA disability law is complex, and individual circumstances vary significantly. Veterans should consult with qualified, VA-accredited representatives or attorneys for personalized guidance regarding their specific disability claims. The outcome of any legal matter depends on the unique facts and applicable law in each case.
