The Ultimate Guide to Increasing Your VA Disability Rating

06 Jun The Ultimate Guide to Increasing Your VA Disability Rating

VA disability rating is based on the severity of the disability. The government expresses this rating as a percentage, representing how much your disability decreases your health and ability to function.

You can then calculate your disability compensation rate based on your disability rating so that you know how much money you’ll receive each month. Your VA health care eligibility is also based on your disability rating.

The combined VA disability rating is calculated if you have multiple disability ratings. The calculation involves more than simply adding up your ratings, and the sum of your ratings may differ from your combined rating.

You can review your ratings and your VA combined disability rating if you have already filed a disability claim.

What is a VA disability rating?

A disability rating is assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on the severity of the health condition.

A rating ranges from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of 10 percent. For a veteran to qualify for monthly compensation, he must have a 10 and 100 percent rating.

Should I apply for an increased rating?

It’s best to answer this question on a case-by-case basis. Increasing your disability rating is not guaranteed, and your entire file may be reviewed, not just the condition you want to be reviewed.

You can get closer to a decision in many ways, but the answer is not simple. The VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities or 38 CFR Book C is an excellent place to start.

You can benefit significantly from reviewing this document to understand better what the VA is looking for, how they rate your specific condition, and what compensation percentages are.

It is possible to re-apply for VA benefits. Still, if you do not understand how the VA does this, how additional compensation is justified, and the maximum amount for your condition, you are taking a risk.

How To File A Request For An Increased VA Disability Rating

Your disability may worsen at some point. Perhaps you are experiencing more pain, experiencing new symptoms, or finding that your existing disability is causing other problems.

You may have knee pain because of your service-related back injury, which causes you to favor one leg over the other.

The process for requesting an increase is usually the same as when you first applied for benefits. You must provide evidence that your condition has worsened, and private or VA doctors can provide this evidence.

For your private doctor to share your medical information with the VA, you must submit a VA Form 21-4142.

If you go to a civilian doctor as part of the Veterans’ Choice program, the VA Form 21-4142 may not be necessary, but it is never a bad idea to have one on hand.

What Do I Need For Evaluation of a Rate Increase?

Many of our clients need to raise their rates. It would help if you discussed rate increases annually to ensure your rates remain competitive and your claims are covered.

Most companies report that policyholders are rarely surprised by a rate increase, even a large one. People now understand why insurance companies need to raise their rates following recent weather patterns, and Raises of a smaller, more consistent magnitude may be tolerated more easily.

Another method of raising rates relatively without penalizing policyholders is to increase the deductible. Many insurance companies currently charge a $1,000 deductible as the standard.

Consider these factors when changing your deductible to examine how the premiums are based on the various deductibles.

You should eliminate the credit factor for higher deductibles and shift the credit factors for following higher deductibles if you raise deductibles to a higher base deductible. Consider eliminating lower deductibles for those insureds who want to keep lower deductibles instead of charging them a surcharge.

How to Gather the Correct Medical Records

Records from the federal and state governments

The following documents are included:

• Records of your military medical treatment
• Documents about your military service
• Medical records from the Social Security Administration or any other federal or state agency
• If you served in the National Guard or Reserves, any treatment or personnel records would support your claim.

We can request copies of these records during the claim process if you don’t have them.

Private Medical Records

Please upload any copies of medical records that provide evidence of the disability you’re claiming if you’ve seen a health care provider who isn’t a VA provider.

These may include evidence like

• Doctor’s reports
• X-rays
• Medical lab or test results

Supporting statements

If you’re claiming disability for an injury or illness that we don’t have in your military records, you’ll also need to upload supporting statements. In general, you should obtain information from people who are familiar with or have discussed with you, the medical condition you claim to have.

You can get supporting statements from people such as

• Members of your unit who served with you
• You and your family
• Members of the clergy
• Officers of the law

What is the maximum compensation I can receive?

It is time to review the rates of disability benefits for veterans in 2022. Find your monthly disability compensation payment amount using our compensation benefit rate tables. We calculate your monthly payment amount based on your disability rating and how many dependents you have.

Veteran compensation rates with a disability rating of 10% to 20%

How to Read a Disability Pay Chart

Disability Compensation Rates in the VA

Look at the Added amount table as well, and add it to the amount from the Basic rates table if your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits.

Common Disability Claims That Are Awarded Increases

Veterans who have been injured or ill while serving in the military are eligible to receive disability compensation as a monthly benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Veterans Affairs Department recently submitted to Congress a report listing the top ten medical conditions getting approved for benefits:

• Tinnitus
• Ankle motion is limited
• PTSD
• Migraines
• The sciatic nerve is paralyzed
• Limitation of flexion (knee)
• Hearing loss

Veterans with scars are entitled to certain benefits

Scars have a disability rating of 10% to 80%, as determined by the VA. The scarring must be pretty severe to receive VA disability compensation, but it’s usually a simple process to approve qualifying scars. A military service nexus is generally evident, and military service records almost always document injuries incurred while on active duty that is significant enough to warrant disability compensation.

VA Disability rating percentages for musculoskeletal conditions

The most common are strains, sprains, arthritis, and reduced flexion in arms, legs, backs, and necks. Former infantrymen commonly filed claims for knee and ankle injuries.

It would help if you showed persistent and recurring symptoms to qualify for musculoskeletal disability benefits. Here are some common symptoms:

• Painful motion
• Reduced range of motion (ROM) or flexion
• weakness/fatigue in the extremity
• loss of power
• loss of movement control or coordination

When you file a VA disability claim, the more health care information you have, the better a well-documented claim will increase your chances of getting approved and earning higher compensation rates.