How to Request a VA Disability Rating Increase

A veteran who already receives VA disability benefits may experience a worsening of the condition that qualified them for benefits, or they may develop a new condition or an aggravation of a prior condition. Fortunately, veterans may have the option to request an increase in their disability rating when their condition worsens or they obtain new evidence of the severity of their condition. Understanding your rights to request a VA disability rating increase can ensure you receive financial benefits commensurate with the nature of your service-connected medical condition(s). 

When to Consider Requesting a VA Disability Increase

Circumstances under which you might pursue an increase in your VA disability rating include:

• A service-connected condition for which you already receive VA disability benefits has gotten worse
• You develop new symptoms from a service-connected condition, or that condition causes a new condition or aggravates an existing condition (i.e., a “secondary” condition)
• The VA’s initial rating does not reflect the severity of your limitations
• You experience new limitations in your professional or social life

Steps for Requesting a Disability Rating Increase

When a service-connected condition has gotten worse since the VA’s initial disability rating, or when you develop a secondary condition, or when the one-year deadline for pursuing an administrative appeal of the VA’s initial determination has passed, you can request a disability rating increase by filing VA Form 21-526EZ. The VA usually treats a request for a disability rating increase as a new claim. You can submit your claim online through the VA’s website or by calling the VA’s toll-free number to schedule an appointment to complete an application over the phone or in person at a regional VA office. 

When submitting a request for an increased disability rating, you will need to present medical evidence showing your right to a higher rating than previously assigned by the VA. Evidence may include test results, doctor’s notes reflecting a new diagnosis or worsening symptoms, or hospitalization records. Veterans might also submit lay statements from family members, friends, or co-workers to describe how the veteran’s condition has worsened since their previous disability benefits application. The VA may also schedule a compensation and pension (C&P) exam to assess the differences between the veteran’s current condition and their condition during their previous application. 

Potential Outcomes of a Request

The possible outcomes of a claim for an increased VA disability rating include:

• The VA increases the rating: The VA may grant an increased disability rating if it finds that the veteran’s impairments have worsened or the veteran has developed a new service-connected condition or secondary condition. 
• The VA maintains the rating: The VA may deny a disability rating increase if it finds that the veteran’s condition remains the same. 
• The VA decreases the rating: In some circumstances, the VA may decrease a veteran’s disability rating after they request an increase when medical evidence, such as the C&P exam, shows an improvement in the veteran’s symptoms. 

Tips for Strengthening Your Request

Best practices that veterans should follow to improve their chances of success in a request for a disability rating increase include:

• Continue treatment for your condition or attend regular checkups to diagnose new or aggravated conditions or document worsening of symptoms for an existing service-connected condition.
• Review the VA’s criteria for disability ratings for your condition to determine whether your present symptoms might support an increased rating.
• Consult an experienced VA attorney to determine whether you have a viable claim for an increased disability rating.

Contact a VA Disability Lawyer Today

Contact Veterans Benefits Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about the process of requesting a VA disability increase when your condition worsens or you obtain evidence demonstrating that you have worse symptoms than initially assessed by the VA or have developed a secondary condition.