Maybe your condition has gotten worse.
Maybe your life has changed since your last claim.
Or maybe you’ve always felt like your rating didn’t reflect the reality you live with every day.
Whatever brought you here, this article will help you figure out whether now’s the time to request a VA rating increase — and how to do it smartly, not blindly.
First: Why a Rating Increase Matters
Your VA disability rating isn’t just a number — it determines:
- How much monthly compensation you receive
- What additional benefits you may be eligible for
- Whether your spouse or dependents qualify for support
- Access to housing, healthcare, and education programs
A move from 40% to 70% can mean:
- Hundreds more per month
- Free VA healthcare
- New eligibility for Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
So the stakes are real — and the potential impact is big.
Signs You Might Qualify for an Increase
Not sure if you have a case? You might if:
✅ Your symptoms have worsened since your last rating
✅ You’ve developed new complications from a service-connected condition
✅ You’ve started new medications, treatments, or therapies
✅ Your condition is now affecting your ability to work
✅ You believe your original rating was too low
You don’t need a catastrophic event to qualify — just a change in your functional limitations or medical evidence that wasn’t considered the first time.
How to Strengthen Your Request
If you decide to pursue an increase, here’s what helps:
1. Updated Medical Records
Show that your condition has progressed — whether that’s more frequent treatment, new diagnoses, or updated symptom reports.
2. A Clear Narrative
Explain how your condition now affects your daily life — work, sleep, mobility, mental health, etc.
3. A Nexus Update (if relevant)
If the new evidence ties back to your original service-connected condition, make sure that connection is clear — or consider updating your nexus letter if needed.
4. Use the VA Disability Calculator
Estimate your potential new rating using the calculator to avoid surprises — and to decide if you’re close to a meaningful threshold (like 50%, 70%, or 100%).
Filing vs. Appealing
If your original claim is still within appeal windows, you may be able to:
- Request a Higher-Level Review
- File a Supplemental Claim with new evidence
If your situation has changed over time, you can also file a New Claim for Increase. Woobie can help you choose the right path for your case.
What If They Deny the Increase?
It happens. But denial doesn’t mean failure — it just means more clarity is needed.
You still have the right to:
- Appeal
- Add new evidence
- Request another exam
- Get support from a team that understands how to challenge a low rating properly
You Don’t Have to Wonder Anymore
If you’re here reading this, something’s probably telling you it’s time to re-evaluate your rating.
Maybe it’s the pain getting worse.
Maybe it’s the job getting harder.
Maybe it’s just the feeling that you’ve left something on the table.
Woobie’s Claims Accelerator was built for that exact moment — to help you stop wondering, and start moving.
You served.
Your body, your mind — they paid a cost.
Now let’s make sure your benefits reflect that reality.