If you feel your VA disability rating does not fully reflect how much your condition affects your daily life, you are not alone. Thousands of veterans remain underrated due to outdated evaluations, missing medical evidence, or a lack of awareness about additional claim options.
VA disability ratings are not permanent. They are meant to reflect your current level of disability, and when symptoms worsen or new conditions develop, your rating may be eligible for an increase.
“Many veterans remain underrated simply because they do not realize the VA allows ratings to be increased when conditions worsen or new disabilities emerge,” said a former VA claims analyst.
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The good news is that there are clear, proven strategies veterans can use to pursue higher compensation. Below are the six best ways to raise your VA disability rating and move closer to the benefits you earned through service.
Overview: The 6 Best Ways to Increase a VA Disability Rating
| Strategy | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Gather strong medical evidence | Proves worsening severity |
| File a VA increase claim | Direct path to higher ratings |
| File presumptive claims | No nexus required |
| File secondary claims | Expands total ratings |
| Appeal VA decisions | Corrects errors |
| Apply for TDIU | Pays at 100% rate |
1. Gather Strong Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is the foundation of every successful VA rating increase. The VA evaluates disabilities based on frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms.
To strengthen your case, gather:
- Updated VA and private medical records
- Doctor statements explaining functional limitations
- Diagnostic testing and treatment history
- Personal symptom journals
“The VA does not rate pain alone; it rates functional loss. Veterans must show how symptoms limit work and daily activities,” a VA-accredited medical provider explained.
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Even if you feel your condition is obviously worse, the VA requires documentation to justify an increased rating.
2. File a VA Disability Increase Claim
If you already have a service-connected condition rated at 0% or higher, you can file a simple VA increase claim.
This is often the fastest and most effective path to higher compensation.
How to File?
- Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
- Submit updated medical evidence
- Attend a C&P exam if scheduled
“Increase claims are one of the most underused tools in the VA system, yet they are often the easiest way to raise compensation,” said a veterans benefits advocate.
Fully Developed Claims (FDCs) may move faster if all evidence is submitted upfront.
3. File a Claim for Presumptive Conditions
Presumptive conditions allow veterans to receive VA compensation without proving direct service connection.
Recent expansions under the PACT Act made this option more powerful than ever.
Common presumptive categories include:
- Burn pit exposure
- Agent Orange exposure
- Gulf War Illness
- Radiation exposure
“Presumptive conditions remove one of the biggest hurdles veterans face: proving the nexus,” according to a VA policy briefing.
If you qualify, this can significantly increase your combined VA rating.
4. File for Secondary Service-Connected Conditions
Secondary conditions are one of the most effective ways to raise a VA rating.
A secondary condition occurs when a service-connected disability causes or aggravates another condition.
Common Secondary Examples
- Knee injuries causing back or hip pain
- PTSD causing sleep apnea or migraines
- Diabetes leading to neuropathy
- Tinnitus causing anxiety or depression
“Secondary claims are often overlooked, yet they can dramatically increase a veteran’s combined rating when properly supported by medical evidence,” a VA claims consultant noted.
A medical nexus opinion is usually required.
5. File an Appeal to a VA Decision
If the VA denied your claim or assigned a rating that is too low, you have the right to appeal.
Appeal Options
- Higher-Level Review (HLR): No new evidence
- Supplemental Claim: New and relevant evidence
- Board Appeal: Reviewed by a Veterans Law Judge
“Many VA denials are the result of rating errors or incomplete evaluations, not ineligibility,” said a veterans law attorney.
Appeals can correct mistakes and unlock higher ratings retroactively.
6. Apply for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU, which pays at the 100% VA disability rate.
Basic TDIU Eligibility
- One disability rated 60% or higher, or
- Multiple disabilities with one at 40% and a 70% combined rating
“TDIU exists to ensure veterans who cannot work due to service-connected disabilities are not financially penalized,” a veterans disability expert explained.
TDIU can be life-changing for veterans unable to sustain employment.
How to Prove Your Condition Has Worsened?
To show worsening, submit at least one of the following:
- Medical records or a DBQ
- Physician medical opinion
- Lay evidence (personal statements or buddy letters)
“Lay evidence can be just as powerful as medical evidence when it clearly describes functional limitations,” a former VA rater explained.
Submitting both medical and lay evidence often produces the strongest results.
VA Claim Process
The VA claims process typically includes:
- Current medical diagnosis
- Review of service records
- Possible C&P exam
- VA rating decision
Claims can be filed online, by mail, fax, or in person.
Final Thought
VA disability ratings are not fixed forever. If your condition has worsened, new disabilities have developed, or the VA made an error, you have the right to seek an increase.
“Veterans who actively manage their claims are far more likely to receive the full benefits they earned through service,” a disability advocate concluded.
With the right strategy, evidence, and persistence, increasing your VA disability rating is possible and often long overdue.
FAQs
How can I increase my VA disability rating?
By filing an increase claim, secondary claim, presumptive claim, appeal, or TDIU application.
What is the easiest way to increase a VA rating?
A simple increase claim supported by medical evidence showing worsening symptoms.
Can secondary conditions raise my rating?
Yes. Secondary conditions often significantly increase combined ratings.
How long does a VA increase take?
Timelines vary, but many claims are decided within several months.
What if my claim is denied?
You can file a Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board appeal.
