If you’re trying to increase your VA rating, it really comes down to four paths every veteran should look at.
Most people overcomplicate this—but you don’t need to.
How Do I Increase my VA Disability Rating?
Start here 👇
1. Make Sure Your Current Ratings Are Correct?
Before filing anything new, look at what you’re already rated for.
Ask yourself:
- Are my conditions rated at the correct percentage?
- Have my symptoms gotten worse over time?
- Did the VA underrate me the first time?
👉 If yes, you may qualify for an increased rating.
What to do:
- Review your current ratings and symptoms (Google the condition + CFR)
- Compare them to VA rating criteria
- File for an increase if your condition has worsened
2. Check for Presumptive Conditions
The VA automatically assumes certain conditions are service-connected based on where and when you served.
These are called presumptive conditions—and many veterans miss them.
Ask yourself:
- Did I serve in a location with known exposures? (Burn pits, Agent Orange, Gulf War, etc.)
- Do I have a condition that’s on a presumptive list?
👉 If yes, you may not need to prove the connection—just the diagnosis and service.
What to do:
- Review the VA presumptive condition lists
- Identify anything you haven’t claimed yet
- File a new claim for those conditions
3. Look for Direct Service-Connected Conditions You Never Claimed
A lot of veterans never file for everything they should.
Think back to your time in service:
- Injuries that were documented
- Issues you were treated for
- Conditions that started while you were in
👉 If it started in service (or was caused by it), it may qualify.
What to do:
- Review your service treatment records
- Identify anything you never filed for
- Submit a new direct service connection claim
4. Don’t Overlook Secondary Conditions
This is one of the most missed opportunities to increase your rating.
A secondary condition is something caused by an already service-connected condition.
Examples:
- Knee injury → causes hip or back problems
- PTSD → leads to sleep apnea, migraines, or depression
- Tinnitus → linked to anxiety or headaches
👉 If one condition causes another, the second condition can be rated too.
What to do:
- Look at your current service-connected conditions
- Ask: “What has this caused or made worse?”
- File a secondary claim
The Bottom Line
If you want to increase your VA rating, focus on these four areas:
- ✅ Increase what you already have
- ✅ Add presumptive conditions
- ✅ Claim overlooked service-connected conditions
- ✅ Connect secondary conditions
That’s it.
You don’t need a complicated strategy—you just need to work through these four paths the right way.