How to Increase Your VA Disability Rating

Your Three Options

1. Supplemental Claim — New Evidence

If you have new and relevant evidence that wasn't in your file when VA made its decision, file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995). "New" means VA didn't have it. "Relevant" means it could change the outcome.

Evidence that works for rating increases:

• New medical records documenting worsening (more appointments, new diagnoses, imaging)
• A private physician's opinion that your condition has worsened and meets a higher rating criteria
• Buddy statements (lay evidence) describing how your limitations have increased
• A new nexus letter if you're adding a secondary condition that developed from your service-connected condition

Supplemental Claims are decided in approximately 125 days. If approved, your effective date is the date VA received the Supplemental Claim form.

2. Higher-Level Review — Decision Error

If you believe VA made an error in applying the law or rating criteria (not just a disagreement over the evidence), request a Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996). A senior claims adjudicator reviews the same evidence for legal errors. No new evidence is allowed — this is purely a "you got the law wrong" argument.

Higher-Level Reviews take approximately 125 days. You can request an informal conference by phone with the reviewer to identify errors.

3. New Condition Claim — Secondary Service Connection

If you've developed a new condition that was caused or aggravated by your existing service-connected condition, you can claim it as a secondary condition at any time. Common secondary claims:

• Depression or anxiety secondary to chronic pain
• Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD
• Knee or hip problems secondary to service-connected back condition
• Hypertension secondary to PTSD
• Diabetes complications secondary to service-connected diabetes

File a new claim for the secondary condition using VA Form 21-526EZ (add it to your existing claim). You need a medical nexus linking the secondary condition to your existing service-connected condition.

What the VA Looks at When Rating an Increase

VA uses the VASRD (VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities) to assign percentages. For an increase, the examiner compares your current functioning to the next rating level's criteria. Key things that move ratings:

• Mental health conditions: More GAF score evidence, more frequent episodes, more medication trials, hospitalizations, work impairment documentation
• Orthopedic conditions: Range of motion measurements (ankylosis = higher rating), additional imaging (X-ray, MRI), weight-bearing ability
• Respiratory conditions: Pulmonary function tests (FEV1, DLCO readings)
• Cardiovascular: METs testing, ejection fraction, stress test results

TDIU — When 100% Isn't Achievable but Work Is Impossible

If your combined rating is 60%+ (or 70%+ with one condition at 40%+) and your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). TDIU pays the same as 100% P&T — without being rated 100%.

File VA Form 21-8940 (TDIU application) and have your last employer complete VA Form 21-4192 (employer verification of last employment).

Practical Tips

• Request your C-file before filing — it shows exactly what evidence VA has and what they relied on for the rating decision
• Get a private DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire) from your treating physician — these carry significant weight and often address the specific rating criteria
• Document frequency and severity of bad days — one exam snapshot undersells episodic conditions like PTSD, migraines, and seizures
• File Intent to File first (VA Form 21-0966) to lock in your effective date while you gather evidence