After the VA approves a veteran’s application for disability benefits, the veteran’s disability may worsen, or they may develop new or aggravated conditions as a result of that approved disability. Veterans have several avenues for maximizing their disability compensation, including requesting an increase in their VA disability rating. When your condition worsens or you develop secondary conditions, knowing how to request an increase in your disability rating can help you get the financial benefits you deserve.
What Do VA Disability Ratings Mean?
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides financial compensation to veterans who suffer from impairments caused by service-connected medical conditions. The amount of compensation that a veteran can receive for a condition depends on the rating assigned by the VA. The VA rates disabilities on a scale of zero to 100 percent, based on the evaluation criteria for the condition listed in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Higher disability ratings entitle veterans to increased compensation and access to other benefits, such as free VA healthcare.
However, disability ratings do not always remain static throughout a veteran’s life. A service-connected condition can worsen over time, increasing the impairment it causes. As a result, a veteran may become entitled to an increase in their VA disability rating.
When Should You Request an Increase?
A veteran may become eligible for an increase in their disability rating in certain circumstances, such as:
- Worsening of symptoms of a primary service-connected condition
- Development or aggravation of a secondary condition (a medical condition caused or worsened by another service-connected condition)
- Changes in how a service-connected condition impairs a veteran’s working ability or daily life
Signs that a veteran should seek an increase in their VA disability rating include new medical diagnoses that doctors connect to a service-connected condition, increased difficulty with daily tasks (e.g., bathing, dressing, eating, etc.), or reduced physical capacity to perform work duties (e.g., decreased strength, range of motion, stamina, etc.).
How to Request an Increase in Your Disability Rating
Veterans may pursue several methods for requesting an increased disability rating, including:
- Filing VA Form 21-526EZ: Veterans can use Form 21-526EZ to not only file an initial claim for VA disability benefits but also to request an increased disability rating due to a new secondary condition or a worsening of an already-recognized service-connected condition.
- Filing VA Form 20-0995: A veteran who believes that the VA has calculated too low a disability rating when approving their benefits application can file a supplemental claim to contest the VA’s decision. A supplemental claim allows a veteran to present new evidence to support their claim that they should have received a higher disability rating.
- Filing VA Form 20-0996: When a veteran believes that the claims reviewer misjudged the evidence and undercalculated their disability rating, they can request a higher-level review to have a more senior claims reviewer review the existing application and supporting evidence anew.
Tips for Strengthening Your Request
Best practices that can bolster a request for an increase in a VA disability rating include:
- Having consistent medical documentation with no gaps in the treatment record
- Attending all medical appointments and following treatment recommendations
- Gathering objective evidence of a new secondary condition or the worsening of an existing primary service-connected condition
- Working with accredited advisors to assess legal options for requesting an increased disability rating
Contact Our VA Disability Law Firm Today
After your physical impairments worsen due to a service-connected medical condition, you may have grounds for an increase in your VA disability rating. Contact Coskrey Law today for a free case evaluation with an experienced VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about the process of requesting an increase in your disability rating and to discuss how our firm might help you pursue your request.