For many veterans in Florida, securing the VA disability benefits they deserve can be a lifeline for managing the long-term effects of service-connected injuries or illnesses. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a disability rating system to assess the severity of a veteran’s condition and determine the amount of monthly compensation they receive. While receiving a rating is a critical step toward accessing benefits, many veterans find that their initial rating is too low to adequately reflect the impact of their condition on their daily life.

Fortunately, veterans have the right to seek an increased disability rating if they believe their current rating doesn’t accurately reflect the severity of their condition. At Warrior Allegiance Florida, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA system to increase their disability ratings and secure the benefits they deserve.

In this blog, we’ll explain how VA disability ratings work, why you might want to increase your rating, and how Warrior Allegiance Florida can guide you through the process of securing a higher rating.

What Is a VA Disability Rating?

A VA disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA to represent the severity of a veteran’s service-connected disability. The rating is based on the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), which lists conditions and their corresponding ratings. These ratings range from 0% to 100%, with increments of 10%. The higher the rating, the more compensation the veteran receives. A 100% rating means that the veteran is considered totally disabled and unable to work due to their condition.

For example:

• A 0% rating means the veteran has a service-connected condition, but it is not severe enough to warrant compensation.
• A 10% to 30% rating indicates a mild to moderate condition that affects the veteran’s daily life but doesn’t prevent them from working.
• A 50% to 70% rating reflects more severe conditions that limit the veteran’s ability to work or perform daily tasks.
• A 100% rating means the veteran is fully disabled and unable to work due to their service-connected condition.

In addition to determining monthly compensation, a higher disability rating can open the door to additional benefits, such as free VA healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, and housing assistance.

Why You Should Consider Increasing Your VA Disability Rating

There are several reasons why a veteran might want to seek an increased disability rating. If your condition has worsened over time or if you believe your initial rating was too low, requesting a higher rating can provide additional financial support and access to more comprehensive benefits.

1. Increased Monthly Compensation

The most immediate benefit of a higher disability rating is increased monthly compensation. Veterans with higher ratings receive more substantial financial support to help cover the costs of medical care, daily living expenses, and other needs. For example, a veteran with a 30% rating might receive a few hundred dollars per month, while a veteran with a 70% rating could receive over a thousand dollars per month.

For veterans whose conditions have worsened, an increased rating can provide the financial stability they need to manage their condition and support their family.

2. Access to Additional VA Benefits

A higher disability rating also qualifies veterans for additional benefits. Veterans with a 50% or higher rating are eligible for free VA healthcare, which includes doctor visits, specialist care, prescription medications, and mental health services. Veterans with a 70% or higher rating may be eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which provides compensation at the 100% disability rate if the veteran is unable to work due to their condition.

By increasing your rating, you can access these important benefits and receive the comprehensive care and support you need.

3. Representation of the Full Impact of Your Condition

Many veterans receive a lower disability rating because they didn’t fully explain how their condition affects their daily life during the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. Veterans might underreport their symptoms or downplay the severity of their pain, which can lead the VA to assign a lower rating than the veteran deserves.

By seeking an increased rating, veterans have the opportunity to present new evidence, clarify their symptoms, and ensure that the VA fully understands the impact of their service-connected condition.

How to Increase Your VA Disability Rating

If you believe that your current VA disability rating is too low, there are several steps you can take to request an increased rating. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

1. Gather Updated Medical Evidence

The first step in requesting an increased disability rating is to gather updated medical records that document the progression of your condition. This includes medical records from both VA healthcare providers and private doctors. If your condition has worsened since your initial claim, your medical records should reflect any new diagnoses, treatments, or worsening symptoms.

In addition to medical records, veterans should also obtain nexus letters from their healthcare providers. A nexus letter is a statement from a doctor that explains how the veteran’s condition is connected to their military service and how the condition has worsened over time.

At Warrior Allegiance Florida, we help veterans gather the necessary medical evidence to support their request for an increased rating. We work with healthcare providers to obtain comprehensive records and nexus letters that clearly demonstrate the progression of the veteran’s condition.

2. File a Request for an Increased Rating

Once you have gathered all necessary medical evidence, the next step is to file a request for an increased rating with the VA. This can be done through the VA’s eBenefits portal, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. Veterans must complete VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation) and include all supporting medical evidence.

If the veteran is filing for an increased rating due to the worsening of their condition, they should clearly explain how their symptoms have changed since their initial claim and how these changes affect their ability to work and perform daily tasks.

Warrior Allegiance Florida assists veterans in completing the necessary paperwork and ensuring that their request for an increased rating is submitted correctly and on time.

3. Attend a New Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exam

After submitting a request for an increased rating, the VA will typically schedule a new C&P exam to assess the veteran’s current condition. During the exam, a VA healthcare provider will evaluate the severity of the veteran’s symptoms and determine how the condition impacts their daily life.

It’s important for veterans to be honest and thorough when describing their symptoms during the C&P exam. Veterans should explain how their condition affects their ability to work, maintain relationships, and complete daily tasks. Underreporting symptoms can result in the VA assigning a lower rating than the veteran deserves.

At Warrior Allegiance Florida, we help veterans prepare for their C&P exams by advising them on how to accurately describe the impact of their condition to the VA healthcare provider.

4. Review the VA’s Decision and Appeal if Necessary

Once the VA has reviewed your request for an increased rating and completed the C&P exam, they will issue a decision. If the VA increases your rating, you will begin receiving higher monthly compensation. However, if the VA denies your request or assigns a lower rating than expected, you have the right to file an appeal.

Veterans who are denied an increased rating or receive a lower-than-expected rating can appeal the VA’s decision through one of the available appeal options: Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

Warrior Allegiance Florida assists veterans in filing appeals, gathering additional evidence, and representing them during hearings with the BVA.

How Warrior Allegiance Florida Helps Veterans Increase Their Disability Rating

At Warrior Allegiance Florida, we understand how important it is for veterans to receive an accurate disability rating that reflects the full impact of their service-connected condition. Our team is dedicated to helping veterans increase their ratings and secure the benefits they deserve.

Here’s how we help:

• Comprehensive case review: We thoroughly review each veteran’s service history, medical records, and VA decisions to identify any gaps in evidence or areas where additional documentation is needed.
• Assistance with medical evidence: We help veterans gather updated medical records, obtain nexus letters, and document the progression of their condition.
• C&P exam preparation: We help veterans prepare for their C&P exams by advising them on how to accurately communicate the full extent of their symptoms.
• Appeals assistance: If a veteran’s request for an increased rating is denied, we assist with filing an appeal and advocating for a higher rating.

Conclusion: Let Warrior Allegiance Florida Help You Increase Your VA Disability Rating

For veterans in Florida, receiving the correct VA disability rating is essential for securing the compensation and benefits needed to manage service-connected conditions. If you believe your current rating is too low, Warrior Allegiance Florida is here to help.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in increasing your VA disability rating and securing the benefits you deserve. Let Warrior Allegiance Florida be your advocate in navigating the VA system and fighting for the compensation you’ve earned through your service.