The VA disability system can be complicated, and many veterans worry about losing their benefits over time. However, the VA has rules in place to protect veterans from unfair rating reductions, and one of the most important is the 10-Year Rule. This rule ensures that after a disability rating has been in place for ten years, it cannot be completely terminated except under very specific circumstances.

For veterans who rely on VA compensation, understanding this rule is essential. It can provide peace of mind knowing that after a certain point, your benefits are protected from being entirely removed.

What Is the VA 10-Year Rule?

The VA 10-Year Rule states that if a veteran has had a service-connected disability rating for at least ten years, the VA cannot terminate service connection for that condition unless it proves fraud was involved in the original claim. This means that even if the VA finds medical evidence suggesting your condition has improved, they cannot eliminate your benefits completely—though they can still reduce your rating if they have strong proof of improvement.

For example, if a veteran was granted a 30% disability rating for migraines in 2014, by 2024, the VA can no longer remove service connection for migraines. Even if the veteran reports fewer headaches, the VA may lower the rating but cannot revoke benefits entirely.

What the VA Can and Cannot Do After 10 Years

After ten years, the VA must follow strict rules when evaluating disability claims:

✅ The VA Cannot Completely Remove a Service-Connected Disability – Once the 10-Year Rule applies, the VA cannot sever service connection, meaning your condition will always be recognized as service-related. The only exception is if the VA finds evidence that fraud was involved in the initial claim.

✅ The VA Can Reduce Your Rating If Medical Evidence Shows Significant Improvement – While the VA cannot terminate service connection, they can lower your rating if they have clear medical evidence showing that your condition has substantially improved and no longer meets the criteria for the original rating level.

❌ The VA Cannot Reduce Your Rating Without Evidence – Any rating reduction must be based on sustained medical improvement shown through multiple exams and medical records. A single exam is not enough to justify a rating decrease.

What Happens If the VA Tries to Lower Your Rating?

If the VA attempts to reduce your disability rating after ten years, you have the right to challenge their decision. Here’s what you can do:

1. Request a Higher-Level Review – This is useful if you believe the VA made a mistake in reviewing your case. A senior claims adjudicator will take a second look at the decision.
2. File a Supplemental Claim – If you have new medical evidence proving your condition has not improved, you can submit this to support your case.
3. Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals – If necessary, you can request a formal hearing before a VA judge to argue why your rating should not be reduced.

The VA 10-Year Rule and Long-Term Protections

The 10-Year Rule is part of a series of protections the VA has in place for veterans with long-term disabilities. These include:

• The 5-Year Rule – The VA cannot reduce a rating after five years unless they have strong medical proof that the condition has permanently improved.
• The 20-Year Rule – After 20 years, the VA cannot reduce a rating at all, meaning even if your condition improves, your rating stays the same.
• The 55-Year Rule – Veterans aged 55 and older are often exempt from VA reexaminations, making rating reductions less likely.

How to Protect Your VA Benefits

Even with these protections, it’s important to take proactive steps to ensure your rating remains secure:

✅ Continue Seeking Medical Treatment – Keeping consistent medical records showing that your condition persists can help protect your rating.

✅ Attend All VA Reexaminations – If the VA schedules a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, make sure to attend and explain how your condition impacts daily life.

✅ Appeal Unjust Decisions Immediately – If the VA lowers your rating unfairly, act quickly to challenge their decision.

Final Thoughts

The VA 10-Year Rule is an essential protection for veterans, ensuring that service connection for disabilities remains in place permanently after ten years. While the VA may still adjust disability ratings, they cannot revoke benefits entirely, providing security for veterans who depend on their compensation.

Understanding these rules—and how to respond if the VA attempts to lower your rating—can help safeguard your benefits and ensure you continue receiving the compensation you rightfully earned. If you receive a notice of a rating reduction, don’t wait—take action immediately to protect your disability benefits.