Disability compensation

Upgrading Your VA Disability Rating: A Guide

Getting disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be complex and frustrating. Many veterans feel they have been assigned a lower disability rating than they deserve based on their service-connected injuries or conditions. Thankfully, you can appeal your rating and request an upgrade if your symptoms have worsened over time. Here are some tips for navigating the system and increasing your rating:

Find an Experienced Advocate

The VA system can be like a maze, with different healthcare providers and administrative staff handling various parts of your claim. It's crucial to have an advocate, like a veteran service officer (VSO), who understands the process and can guide you through it. VSOs are usually familiar with the VA raters in your region and know what type of medical evidence they look for. Lean on your advocate to coordinate between your doctors, gather records, and submit paperwork.

Get Updated Medical Evidence

To upgrade your rating, you need recent medical examinations and treatment records that show your disability has increased in severity. Make appointments with your VA doctor and other specialists to be re-evaluated. Bring a personal copy of your records to share. Describe how your symptoms have worsened and affect your daily functioning. Specific metrics like range of motion measurements can help ratings for physical conditions.

File a Supplemental Claim

Once you have new medical evidence, your VSO can help you file a Supplemental Claim asking the VA to review your rating. Explain how your evidence meets the criteria for a higher rating based on the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Point to specific test results, symptoms, diagnoses, and functional impacts. You can submit lay statements from people who witness your struggles. Be thorough yet concise in making your case.

Attend C&P Exams

If the VA requests more evidence, attend any Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams they schedule. Answer questions fully and honestly, focusing on how your condition affects activities of daily living. Tell the examiner about treatment that has not helped. Do not downplay your symptoms, but avoid exaggeration. If an examiner does not record your issues properly in their report, work with your VSO to correct them.

Be Persistent with Appeals

Understand that it can take time and perseverance to get your rating upgraded. If your Supplemental Claim is denied, you can file an appeal to have a more senior rater review your case. Keep gathering evidence and advancing your appeal as often as needed. Document every step and interaction. With dedication and the help of an advocate, many veterans ultimately get the rating their disability merits.

Upgrading your VA disability rating can improve your quality of life through increased compensation and access to more treatments. Find advocates familiar with the process, supply ongoing medical evidence, and persistently appeal unfavorable decisions. You served your country - make sure the VA serves you in return.

Important: VSO stands for Veterans Service Organization. A VSO is an organization that assists veterans and their families in navigating and applying for veterans benefits.

Some key things to know about VSOs:

• They are typically nonprofit groups that advocate for veterans' interests and provide free assistance with claims. Examples include Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.
• VSOs have trained staff members called veteran service officers (also abbreviated as VSOs) who help veterans file disability claims, access healthcare, utilize education benefits, and more.
• A VSO can help you submit your claim to the VA, gather supporting documents, appeal decisions, and navigate every step of the process. They act as an expert representative on your behalf.
• Using a VSO is free, and they are very familiar with VA processes and what type of evidence the VA requires for claims. They can save you time and increase your chances of getting your claim approved.
• Each VSO has eligibility requirements, such as having an honorable discharge. Shop around to find one that offers services for your needs and status.
• You can appoint a VSO using VA Form 21-22 to authorize them to act on your behalf on a claim.

So, in summary, a VSO is an essential partner for disabled veterans to take advantage of their benefits and get the compensation they deserve for injuries sustained during service. I highly recommend contacting a VSO to assist with your VA disability claim or appeal.

Being strongly neurodiverse, I was overwhelmed by jargon and protocols, rules and paperwork. One huge mistake was thinking my PCB or CBOC had ANYTHING to do with getting my disability upgraded. I should have glued myself to a VSO and kept after it. The VSO would have ensured that the APPROPRIATE medical evidence was collected.

Personally, with VSO assistance, I sent in 3 requests to have my disability upgraded. The first two were "never received" by the VA. The 3rd one was received, and they made a judgment based on my medical exams 28 years prior. No one set me up for a current medical reevaluation.

You MUST know the VA jargon. Various Nurses and Doctors will quickly rattle off abbreviations critical for your treatment; you cannot learn new medical VA vocabulary while conversing with busy Doctors or Nurses. They only have the time to say it once and will rush you if you try to stop and write.

Note: Disability can affect income, and many veterans are also housing insecure, so look at some shelter support terms.

Glossary:

·???????? VAMC - Veterans Affairs Medical Center

·???????? VHA - Veterans Health Administration

·???????? VBA - Veterans Benefits Administration

·???????? CBOC - Community-Based Outpatient Clinic

·???????? PACT - Patient Aligned Care Team

·???????? PCP - Primary Care Provider

·???????? VASH - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

·???????? HUD-VASH - Housing & Urban Development VA Supportive Housing

·???????? VSO - Veterans Service Organization