How to File for a VA Rating Increase Without Going in Blind

johnnyhashim@gmail.com (Sgt Hashim) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:23:31 +0000

File a worsening claim online or with VA Form 21-526EZ after comparing your symptoms with the next diagnostic-code percentage.
The 5-year rule adds stabilization safeguards, the 10-year rule protects service connection, and the 20-year rule creates a protected rating floor.
Submit VA Form 21-0966 before gathering evidence if you need to preserve a potential filing date, then complete the claim within 1 year.
A proposed reduction that lowers current payments generally gives you 30 days to request a hearing and 60 days to submit evidence.
Missing a C&P examination without good cause can result in denial of your increase claim under 38 CFR 3.655.

An increase claim can expose the rating you already have

There is no risk-free VA rating increase claim. When you tell VA that a service-connected condition has worsened, you put the current severity of that condition at issue. VA may increase the rating, continue the same percentage, assign staged ratings for different periods, or reduce the rating if the evidence supports a lower evaluation.

Va-Rating-Increase on MOS Roadmap

How to File for a VA Rating Increase Without Going in Blind

An increase claim can expose the rating you already have