Signs It Might Be Time to Request a VA Disability Rating Increase

If you’re a Veteran receiving VA disability compensation, you’ve already taken an important step to get the benefits you earned through service. But what happens when your health changes, and your current rating no longer reflects the full impact of your condition?

The VA disability rating system is not set in stone. Your rating should reflect the current severity of your service-connected conditions, not just how they looked when you first filed. Many Veterans don’t realize they may qualify for a higher rating—and with that, additional benefits—if their condition has worsened or new related symptoms have developed.

At REE Medical, we ensure that providers have the necessary information and records to fully document a Veteran’s conditions when pursuing a rating increase. By helping Veterans understand what’s required, we ensure that nothing critical is missed. Here are the key signs it might be time to revisit your rating—and what to do about it.

1. Your Condition Has Worsened Over Time

The most common and apparent reason to seek an increase is a decline in your physical or mental health related to your service-connected condition. This could mean:

Increased pain
Decreased mobility or range of motion
New complications or secondary diagnoses
A higher frequency of flare-ups or episodes

For example, if you were initially rated 10% for chronic back pain but now experience daily pain that limits your ability to work or perform daily tasks, you may qualify for a 30% or higher rating under the appropriate diagnostic code.

Tip: Track how your condition impacts your life daily. A pain journal, mobility log, or employer statements can help build your case.

2. You’ve Developed a Secondary Condition

Secondary conditions are new disabilities that stem from an already service-connected condition. These may develop months or years later, but still count toward your overall VA disability benefits.

Common examples of secondary conditions include:

Depression or anxiety resulting from chronic pain
Sciatica or nerve damage caused by a back injury
Sleep apnea related to PTSD or weight gain from medication
Hypertension linked to service-connected diabetes

The VA allows you to file for compensation for these secondary conditions, and they can increase your combined rating, especially when paired with your original disability.

3. Your Mental Health Symptoms Are More Severe

For Veterans with service-connected PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, it’s imperative to monitor changes in your daily functioning.

If you’re experiencing:

Increased isolation or emotional numbness
Panic attacks more than once per week
Difficulty maintaining employment or relationships
Frequent intrusive thoughts or flashbacks

…then your condition may now meet the criteria for a higher rating under the VA’s mental health rating scale (Diagnostic Code 9411 for PTSD, for example).

Remember: even if your diagnosis stays the same, the severity and functional impact determine your rating.

4. You Can No Longer Work Full-Time

If your service-connected conditions prevent you from holding gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)—even if your rating is below 100%.

To qualify for TDIU, you generally need:

One condition rated at 60%, or
Multiple conditions with a combined rating of 70%, with one rated at least 40%, and
Evidence that you can’t maintain substantially gainful employment

Veterans who qualify for TDIU receive compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if their combined rating doesn’t reach 100%.

If you’ve had to leave a job, reduce hours, or switch to a less demanding role due to service-connected limitations, TDIU may be worth exploring.

5. You Haven’t Been Re-evaluated in Years

Sometimes, your health declines gradually, and because you haven’t had a recent Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam or medical update, the VA still relies on outdated information.

The longer it’s been since your last claim or exam, the more likely your rating doesn’t match your current condition.

Here are a few indicators:

Your last C&P exam was over 3 years ago
You’ve started new treatments, medications, or therapies
Your symptoms are more frequent, intense, or disruptive
Your condition has begun to affect additional areas of your life

Requesting a re-evaluation gives the VA the updated medical evidence to adjust your rating accordingly.

6. You’re Getting Private Medical Care That Paints a Different Picture

If you’re seeing a civilian provider for ongoing care, especially a specialist, they may have documented issues or limitations that weren’t captured during your original VA exam.

Private doctors often provide more detailed records, including:

Imaging results (MRIs, X-rays)
Physical therapy progress notes
Psychological evaluations
Functional limitations (e.g., can’t lift more than 10 lbs, can’t walk without aid)

These records can be critical in showing that your condition has progressed beyond your current rating.

You can even ask your doctor to complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) that outlines how your symptoms meet the VA’s criteria for a higher rating.

How to Request a VA Disability Rating Increase

If one or more of these signs sound familiar, here are the steps to take:

Step 1: Gather Your Medical Evidence

You’ll need recent, thorough documentation of your condition and how it has changed. This can include VA treatment records, private doctor notes, and completed DBQs.

Step 2: File VA Form 21-526EZ

You can file a claim for an increased rating through the VA.gov portal, via mail, or in person at a VA regional office. Be sure to check the box indicating you’re requesting a re-evaluation due to worsening symptoms.

Step 3: Attend a C&P Exam (If Scheduled)

The VA may schedule a new exam to verify your condition. Be honest, specific, and detailed in describing how your condition affects your daily life.

Step 4: Get Expert Help (Optional but Powerful)

Services like REE Medical help ensure that the medical professionals conducting your evaluations have the information they need to thoroughly document your conditions in line with VA rating criteria. This can strengthen the medical evidence used to support your request and reduce the risk of delays or denials.

Why It Matters: Benefits You Could Gain

An increased VA rating can unlock:

Higher monthly compensation
Additional benefits for dependents
Priority access to healthcare services
Access to programs like Vocational Rehabilitation, CHAMPVA, or TDIU
Property tax exemptions and state-specific Veteran benefits

In short, a higher rating could mean better financial stability, more support, and greater access to care.

Don’t Wait to Update Your Rating

If your condition has changed, your benefits should reflect that. Too many Veterans settle for an outdated rating—not because the system failed, but because they didn’t realize it could change.

Conditions change—your rating can too. Talk to our team to evaluate your next steps.

At REE Medical, we help ensure your provider has the information needed to thoroughly document your service-connected conditions, so you can move forward with confidence backed by strong, complete medical evidence.