A veteran’s initial VA disability rating is not necessarily permanent. As a veteran ages or as service-connected conditions worsen, a veteran may qualify for a higher disability rating and increased monthly compensation. Many veterans don’t realize they can request rating increases, assuming their original rating will never change. However, if a veteran’s condition has deteriorated since the veteran’s initial rating decision, the veteran should file for a rating increase. This article explains how veterans can request higher disability ratings, what evidence supports rating increase claims, and how veterans can maximize compensation as their conditions progress.

Why Veterans’ Conditions Worsen Over Time

Service-connected disabilities frequently worsen as veterans age. A veteran with service-connected back pain who received a 30% rating at age 35 may experience significant degeneration by age 55, substantially reducing the veteran’s functional capacity. A veteran with PTSD may experience symptom progression over decades. A veteran with hearing loss has permanent damage that worsens throughout the veteran’s lifetime.

Additionally, veterans’ conditions may worsen suddenly due to new incidents, medical interventions, or disease progression. A veteran with arthritis may experience a sudden flare-up requiring hospitalization. A veteran with diabetes may develop complications like diabetic retinopathy or neuropathy. These developments warrant filing for rating increase claims.

The VA recognizes this reality and allows veterans to request rating increases at any time. There’s no limit to how many times a veteran can request a rating increase, and there’s no waiting period between rating requests (though some strategic timing considerations apply).

When to File for a Rating Increase

A veteran should consider filing for a rating increase whenever the veteran’s service-connected condition(s) have worsened since the veteran’s last rating decision. Worsening might manifest as:

• Increased symptoms or pain
• Reduced functional capacity or ability to work
• New complications of the service-connected condition
• Additional medical treatment or medication changes
• New diagnostic findings (like imaging showing progression)
• Changes in occupational performance due to the veteran’s condition

A veteran should not wait years hoping the veteran’s condition will improve. If a veteran believes the veteran’s condition has worsened, file for a rating increase promptly. The earlier a veteran files, the sooner the veteran can receive increased compensation.

How Much Will a Rating Increase Cost You?

This is an important question many veterans ask. The good news: filing for a VA disability rating increase costs the veteran nothing. There are no filing fees, and if a veteran works with a VA-accredited representative or Veterans Service Organization, those services are provided at no cost to the veteran.

The only potential concern is that filing for a rating increase could theoretically result in a lower rating if the VA re-evaluates the veteran’s condition and determines it has actually improved. However, this is rare. The VA understands that veterans typically file for increases when their conditions have genuinely worsened, and the VA’s re-evaluation usually confirms the worsening or results in no change to the veteran’s rating.

Understanding the Effective Date for Rating Increases

One important concept for rating increase claims is the “effective date.” When the VA approves a veteran’s rating increase, the veteran’s new higher rating typically becomes effective on the date the veteran filed the rating increase request, not the date the VA approved the claim.

This means if a veteran files for a rating increase on January 15, 2025, and the VA doesn’t approve the claim until September 2025, the veteran’s new rating becomes effective January 15, 2025. The veteran receives back pay (called “retroactive compensation”) from the filing date through the approval date.

This makes filing for rating increases financially advantageous. A veteran should file as soon as the veteran’s condition worsens rather than delaying.

Gathering Evidence for Your Rating Increase Claim

A strong rating increase claim requires comprehensive evidence showing that the veteran’s condition has worsened. The veteran should gather:

Recent Medical Records: Current medical records documenting the veteran’s condition and functional limitations are essential. If a veteran has been treated at the VA for the veteran’s service-connected condition, request recent treatment records showing the veteran’s symptoms and any changes in treatment.

Diagnostic Test Results: New imaging studies, lab results, or other objective findings showing progression of the veteran’s condition support a rating increase claim. For example, imaging showing increased spinal degeneration supports a back pain rating increase request.

Medical Provider Statements: Letters from the veteran’s VA doctor or private physician confirming that the veteran’s condition has worsened can significantly strengthen the veteran’s claim. A statement specifically connecting the veteran’s functional decline to the service-connected condition is valuable.

Occupational Impact Documentation: Evidence showing that the veteran’s worsening condition affects the veteran’s ability to work supports a rating increase claim. This might include statements from employers noting decreased performance, or documentation that the veteran changed jobs due to occupational limitations.

The Veteran’s Personal Statement: A detailed description of how the veteran’s condition has worsened and how the veteran’s functional capacity has declined can be powerful evidence. The veteran should compare the veteran’s current functioning to the veteran’s functioning at the time of the veteran’s initial rating.

Comparison to Initial Rating: If the veteran has records from the veteran’s initial Compensation and Pension exam, comparing the veteran’s current condition to the veteran’s condition at that time demonstrates progression.

Filing for a Rating Increase

To file for a VA disability rating increase, a veteran submits VA Form 21-0960E or VA Form 21-0960Z-1 (depending on the specific condition), or the veteran can file online through VA.gov.

When filing, the veteran should:

Clearly identify which service-connected disability the veteran is requesting a rating increase for. Explain why the veteran believes the veteran’s condition has worsened since the veteran’s last rating decision. Attach medical evidence supporting the veteran’s claim. Provide a personal statement detailing the veteran’s functional decline.

The VA will review the veteran’s claim and likely schedule a new Compensation and Pension exam to re-evaluate the veteran’s condition.

The Compensation and Pension Exam for Rating Increases

When filing for a rating increase, the VA typically schedules a new C&P exam. The veteran should prepare thoroughly for this exam.

During the veteran’s rating increase exam, the examiner will:

Review the veteran’s medical records and rating increase claim. Perform a physical or mental health examination appropriate to the veteran’s condition. Compare the veteran’s current condition to findings from previous exams. Ask specific questions about how the veteran’s condition has worsened and how it affects the veteran’s functioning.

The veteran should bring all relevant medical records to the veteran’s exam and be prepared to describe specifically how the veteran’s condition has deteriorated. The examiner will document the veteran’s current symptoms, functional limitations, and any objective findings.

Common Conditions Warranting Rating Increases

Certain conditions frequently warrant rating increase claims:

Back Pain: Veterans with back pain often file for rating increases as their condition worsens with age and the veteran’s degenerative disc disease progresses. Imaging showing increased degeneration or a veteran’s reduced range of motion supports a rating increase claim.

PTSD and Mental Health: Veterans with PTSD or other mental health conditions may file for rating increases if their symptoms worsen or if the veteran experiences increased occupational or social dysfunction.

Arthritis and Joint Problems: Progressive joint damage often warrants rating increases over a veteran’s lifetime.

Tinnitus: While tinnitus ratings are limited to 10% or 20%, a veteran with 10% tinnitus might file for an increase to 20% if the veteran’s tinnitus significantly worsens.

Hearing Loss: Veterans whose hearing continues to decline can file for hearing loss rating increases, as audiogram results will show progression.

Sleep Apnea: Veterans may file for rating increases if their sleep apnea worsens or if their CPAP data shows inadequate control of the veteran’s condition.

Rating Increase Strategy and the Disability Calculator

Veterans planning multiple service-connected disabilities should think strategically about rating increases. When a veteran files for a rating increase in one condition, this might affect the veteran’s combined rating if the veteran has multiple disabilities.

Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2025/ to:

• Understand your current combined rating
• See how a rating increase in one condition might affect your total combined rating
• Plan which rating increases might most significantly increase your total compensation
• Estimate your monthly compensation at various rating scenarios

For example, if a veteran currently has a 50% back rating and 20% hearing loss rating (combined to 60%), filing for a hearing loss increase to 30% might increase the veteran’s combined rating to 65% (rounding to 70%). By understanding these scenarios beforehand using the calculator, a veteran can prioritize filing for rating increases that will most significantly increase the veteran’s combined rating and compensation.

Timeline for Rating Increase Decisions

Rating increase claims typically take several months to process. After filing the veteran’s claim, the VA will schedule a C&P exam (usually within 1-3 months), conduct the exam, and then make a rating decision (another 1-3 months after the exam).

Many veterans receive rating increase decisions within 4-6 months of filing, though complex cases may take longer. The effective date of the veteran’s new rating is typically the filing date, so the veteran receives back pay from the filing date through the approval date, even if the decision takes many months.

Strategic Timing of Rating Increase Claims

Some veterans wonder whether they should file for rating increases strategically. For example, should a veteran wait until the veteran’s condition worsens further before filing?

The answer is no. The veteran should file for a rating increase as soon as the veteran has sufficient evidence that the veteran’s condition has worsened. Filing earlier means the veteran’s effective date is earlier, resulting in more back pay. There’s no advantage to waiting.

The only exception is if a veteran is gathering evidence (like obtaining recent medical records or diagnostic tests). But once the veteran has good evidence of worsening, file promptly.

Working With a Representative on Rating Increase Claims

Many veterans benefit from working with a VA-accredited representative, Veterans Service Organization, or attorney when filing for rating increase claims. These professionals can:

• Help organize medical evidence effectively
• Write persuasive statements explaining why a rating increase is warranted
• Prepare the veteran for the C&P exam
• Identify secondary conditions that might warrant separate rating increase claims
• Represent the veteran at appeals if the rating increase is initially denied

Working with a representative is particularly valuable for complex cases involving multiple service-connected conditions or when the veteran’s previous claims were denied.

Rating Increase Denials and Appeals

If the VA denies a veteran’s rating increase request, the veteran can appeal. Many veterans successfully overturn denials by:

• Submitting additional medical evidence the veteran didn’t have during the initial rating increase claim
• Requesting a higher-level review
• Appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
• Working with a representative who can present the veteran’s case more effectively

Rating increase appeals follow the same appeals process as initial disability claims. The veteran has multiple opportunities to present the veteran’s case.

Planning Your Rating Increase Strategy

Veteran’s with multiple service-connected disabilities should think strategically about rating increases. Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2025/ to model different scenarios:

• Which conditions, if increased, would most significantly increase your combined rating?
• How would a 10-percentage-point increase in one condition affect your total combined rating?
• What are your projected combined ratings at various disability levels?

This planning helps veterans prioritize gathering evidence for the conditions most likely to increase their total compensation.

Conclusion

Veterans’ service-connected conditions often worsen over time, justifying higher disability ratings and increased compensation. If a veteran’s condition has deteriorated since the veteran’s initial rating decision, the veteran should file for a rating increase promptly. Filing costs nothing and typically results in an earlier effective date and back pay. Gather comprehensive medical evidence showing your condition has worsened, file using VA Form 21-0960E or through VA.gov, and prepare thoroughly for your C&P exam. Use our disability calculator at https://vetvalor.com/va-disability-calculator-2025/ to understand how rating increases in your service-connected conditions might affect your combined rating and monthly compensation. Your service-connected disabilities deserve recognition at their current severity, and you deserve compensation that reflects your current level of disability and functional impairment.