What to Do If Your VA Disability Rating Is Too Low: A Guide by Warrior Allegiance

Uncategorized
Warrior Allegiance - VA Claims - Veterans -
7:00 am

What to Do If Your VA Disability Rating Is Too Low: A Guide by Warrior Allegiance

Receiving a VA disability rating is an essential step for veterans seeking compensation for service-connected conditions. However, the rating assigned by the VA doesn’t always reflect the true severity of a veteran’s disability. A low disability rating can mean less compensation, limited access to benefits, and inadequate recognition of the impact your condition has on your life.

If you believe your VA disability rating is too low, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to accept it. With the right approach and expert guidance from Warrior Allegiance, you can take steps to have your rating reviewed, increased, and adjusted to more accurately reflect your condition.

In this blog, we’ll explore why disability ratings are sometimes too low, how you can challenge or request an increase, and how Warrior Allegiance can help you navigate the process to secure the benefits you deserve.

Why Your VA Disability Rating May Be Too Low

The VA assigns disability ratings based on the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), which outlines criteria for evaluating the severity of various conditions. However, several factors can lead to an incorrect or underestimated rating:

  1. Incomplete Medical Evidence
  • The VA relies heavily on medical evidence to assign ratings. Missing or insufficient documentation can result in an inaccurate evaluation.
  1. Underreporting Symptoms
  • Veterans may downplay their symptoms during medical evaluations or the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, leading to a lower rating.
  1. Inadequate C&P Exam
  • If the C&P examiner fails to fully evaluate your condition or documents it incorrectly, the VA may assign a rating that doesn’t reflect the true severity of your disability.
  1. Overlooked Secondary Conditions
  • Secondary conditions caused by a primary service-connected disability can significantly impact your overall rating, but they are often overlooked in initial claims.
  1. Errors in Combined Ratings
  • For veterans with multiple conditions, the VA uses a combined ratings formula. Errors in this calculation can result in an artificially low overall rating.

How Warrior Allegiance Helps:
Warrior Allegiance reviews your medical records, C&P exam results, and VA decision letter to identify potential errors or missing information that may have led to a low rating.

Steps to Take If Your VA Disability Rating Is Too Low

If you believe your rating is too low, you have several options for challenging the VA’s decision or requesting an increase. Here’s what to do:

  1. Review Your Rating Decision
  • Start by carefully reading the VA’s decision letter, which explains how your rating was determined. Look for:
    • The diagnostic codes used to evaluate your condition.
    • The evidence considered by the VA.
    • Any noted reasons for the assigned rating.

How Warrior Allegiance Helps:
Warrior Allegiance helps veterans analyze their decision letters to identify errors, omissions, or opportunities for appeal.

  1. Request a Higher-Level Review
  • A Higher-Level Review involves a senior VA adjudicator re-examining your claim. This option does not allow for new evidence but focuses on whether the original decision was made in error.

How to File:

  • Submit VA Form 20-0996, Request for Higher-Level Review.

Best For:

  • Claims where the VA may have overlooked evidence or misapplied the VASRD criteria.

How Warrior Allegiance Helps:
Warrior Allegiance prepares a strong case for a Higher-Level Review, highlighting errors or inconsistencies in the VA’s original decision.

  1. File a Supplemental Claim
  • If you have new and relevant evidence, you can file a Supplemental Claim to have your rating reevaluated.

How to File:

  • Submit VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim.

Examples of New Evidence:

  • Updated medical records.
  • A nexus letter linking your condition to service.
  • Statements from healthcare providers detailing worsening symptoms.

How Warrior Allegiance Helps:
Warrior Allegiance assists in gathering and submitting new evidence, ensuring your Supplemental Claim is complete and compelling.

  1. Request an Increased Rating
  • If your condition has worsened since your initial claim, you can file for a rating increase. The VA will reevaluate your disability based on updated medical evidence.

How to File:

  • Submit VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.

Best For:

  • Conditions that have progressed or developed new symptoms since your last evaluation.

How Warrior Allegiance Helps:
Warrior Allegiance works with veterans to document worsening symptoms and secure updated medical evidence to support rating increase requests.

  1. Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
  • If you disagree with the VA’s decision after a Higher-Level Review or Supplemental Claim, you can appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Options:

  • Direct Review: The board reviews your case without new evidence or a hearing.
  • Evidence Submission: Submit additional evidence for consideration.
  • Hearing: Present your case in person or via video before a Veterans Law Judge.

How Warrior Allegiance Helps:
Warrior Allegiance guides veterans through the appeals process, preparing evidence, submitting forms, and representing their interests during hearings.

Tips for Building a Strong Case

To successfully challenge or increase your VA disability rating, you need to present a strong, well-documented case. Here are some tips:

  1. Document Worsening Symptoms
  • Keep a journal of how your condition affects your daily life, work, and relationships. Be specific about the frequency and severity of symptoms.
  1. Secure a Nexus Letter
  • A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional can strengthen your case by linking your condition to your military service or showing how it has worsened over time.
  1. Prepare for the C&P Exam
  • Be honest and thorough when describing your symptoms during the exam. Provide specific examples of how your condition limits your abilities.
  1. Include Secondary Conditions
  • Evaluate whether you have secondary conditions (e.g., depression caused by chronic pain) that could increase your overall rating.
  1. Seek Professional Guidance
  • Navigating the VA system can be complex. Partnering with an experienced advocate like Warrior Allegiance ensures your claim is handled correctly.

Why Choose Warrior Allegiance?

Correcting a low VA disability rating can be a daunting process, but Warrior Allegiance is here to help. Here’s why veterans trust Warrior Allegiance:

  1. Expert Knowledge
  • Warrior Allegiance understands the intricacies of the VA claims process and how to build a compelling case for rating increases.
  1. Comprehensive Support
  • From analyzing decision letters to gathering evidence and preparing appeals, Warrior Allegiance provides end-to-end assistance.
  1. Personalized Service
  • Every veteran’s situation is unique. Warrior Allegiance tailors its approach to address your specific needs and challenges.
  1. Proven Results
  • Warrior Allegiance has a track record of helping veterans secure higher ratings and access the compensation they deserve.

Real-Life Success Stories

Here are a few examples of how Warrior Allegiance has helped veterans increase their ratings:

  • Case 1: A veteran with a 30% PTSD rating sought help after struggling with worsening symptoms. Warrior Allegiance helped gather updated medical evidence and secure a 70% rating, resulting in significantly increased compensation.
  • Case 2: A veteran with a 40% combined rating for back and knee conditions filed for a rating increase with Warrior Allegiance’s support. By including secondary conditions, the veteran’s rating increased to 80%.
  • Case 3: A veteran denied a higher rating for hearing loss worked with Warrior Allegiance to appeal the decision. After presenting additional audiological evidence, the VA granted a 50% rating.

Conclusion

Receiving a VA disability rating that is too low can feel frustrating and unfair, but it’s not the end of the road. With the right approach and expert support from Warrior Allegiance, you can challenge the VA’s decision, request an increase, and secure the benefits you deserve.

If you believe your VA disability rating is too low, don’t wait—contact Warrior Allegiance today. Their team of experts is dedicated to helping veterans maximize their compensation and achieve the recognition they’ve earned through their service.

No Tag

Comments are closed