You served your country. You earned your benefits. But when your condition gets worse and your rating doesn’t reflect that, something’s wrong.
You’re not asking for a handout—you’re asking the VA to recognize what you’re already living with. Our Veterans Affairs Disability Benefits claims lawyers walk you through how to apply for a higher rating when your situation changes.
Because when a promise gets broken, we take it personally. Let’s talk about how to make this right.
Call or text (800) 562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
What It Means to Request a Rating Increase
The VA assigns a percentage rating to each disability based on how much it limits your ability to function. The higher the rating, the more compensation you receive. If your condition gets worse, your rating should change too.
But the VA won’t update your rating automatically. You have to take the first step. That means submitting a new claim showing that your symptoms, limitations, or medical needs have increased since your last decision.
Some veterans worry that reopening their claim could reduce their benefits. That can happen, but only if the evidence shows real improvement. If your medical records and supporting documents show worsening, then the increase is more than justified.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 562-9830
Two Main Paths to a VA Increase
You can apply for a rating increase through two different types of claims:
Increased Disability Claim
You file this when your service-connected condition gets worse. The VA looks for updated medical records, new symptoms, and statements from people close to you that show how the condition now affects your work, relationships, or daily life.
Secondary Service Connection Claim
If your condition causes a new, related medical issue—such as depression from chronic pain or a knee problem due to a back injury—you can file a claim for the secondary condition. The VA may then raise your overall combined rating. These claims can be powerful, especially if the secondary condition becomes more limiting than the original.
Each type of claim has its own process and documentation. Our Veterans Affairs Disability Benefits claims attorneys help you choose the right path based on your medical history and service record.
When Should You Ask for an Increase?
There’s no deadline, but the longer you wait, the longer it may take to get paid what you’re owed.
Some common signs that it’s time to seek a higher rating:
- You’ve been hospitalized or treated more frequently.
- You’ve had to quit working or reduce hours due to symptoms.
- You now need help with daily tasks or mobility.
- Your mental health has declined.
- A doctor has increased your medication or added new treatments.
Even if your disability rating seems accurate at first, conditions change. You don’t have to wait until things are unbearable. If something feels off, it’s worth a second look.
What You’ll Need to Apply
You’ll need more than just a gut feeling. The VA wants documentation to support every claim and justify an increase.
- Medical records: The more recent and specific, the better. Include private providers and VA facilities.
- Doctor’s notes or opinions: Statements that describe how your condition has progressed or how it limits your life.
- Personal statements: Your own words about how daily life has changed.
- Buddy statements: Letters from people who’ve seen the effects of your disability up close—family, friends, coworkers.
The VA may also schedule you for a new Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. If that happens, we’ll help you prepare and explain what to expect.
How the VA Makes Its Decision
The VA uses a combination of medical records, exams, and internal guidelines to determine whether your condition has worsened enough to justify a higher rating.
Each condition has its own rating schedule under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). This schedule outlines specific symptoms and thresholds for each percentage level.
In some cases, the VA may decide your symptoms don’t meet the next threshold, even if they’ve gotten worse. That’s why our legal team makes sure the documentation speaks directly to those criteria. Sometimes, it’s not just about proving worsening—it’s about proving that the worsening meets the VA’s narrow definition. We help you bridge that gap.
What If the VA Denies the Increase?
It happens—often unfairly. A denial doesn’t mean the end of the road. You can appeal the decision in three ways:
- Supplemental Claim: Submit new and relevant evidence to support your case, such as medical records, expert opinions, or buddy statements.
- Higher-Level Review: Ask a senior reviewer to take a second look, without new evidence, based on errors or overlooked details in your file.
- Board Appeal: Request a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, either virtually or in person, to present your case in more detail.
Appeals take time, but they’re often successful with the right support. We’ll help you decide the best option and file within the required timelines.
Why Representation Matters
The VA system wasn’t designed to be easy. It was designed to be uniform. That means good people fall through the cracks every day. Veterans miss out on benefits not because they don’t qualify, but because the system couldn’t see what they were trying to show.
Our Veterans Affairs Disability Benefits claims attorneys know how to speak the VA’s language. We translate real-world struggles into paperwork that hits the mark. We don’t just file claims—we help veterans tell the full story of their injuries, setbacks, and daily lives.
This isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about making the system work for the people who earned that right in uniform.
Call Us. We Wrote the Book on This.
You paid into this system. You kept your promise to serve. Now it’s time for the VA to keep theirs.
At Marc Whitehead & Associates, disability is all we do. Our team has over 120 years of combined experience, and our founding attorney is double board-certified in disability and litigation law. We wrote the book on VA disability benefits—and we mean that literally.
Call us today. You’ll speak with someone who understands the process and won’t stop fighting for the benefits you earned. Let’s get this done together.