Once you have filed your claim and received a VA disability rating for your service-connected condition, the VA has the right to reevaluate your disability to confirm if it is still present and merits the initial rating.
Based on this reevaluation, the VA can increase, decrease or eliminate your disability compensation. However, no need to worry; a negative impact on your disability rating is improbable. In addition, not every veteran undergoes a scheduled reexamination.
For instance, some service-connected disability conditions are protected and will not be changed.
Veterans with a P&T (permanent and total) rating will not undergo a reexamination. This also includes permanent or static injuries, such as a missing limb.
However, some medical conditions are not considered permanent and may require a reevaluation. If the VA reviews your disability rating, they can increase or decrease your rating depending on supporting evidence and documentation.
How Often Does The VA Reduce Disability Ratings?
Usually, the VA reevaluates veterans’ service-connected disabilities on two affairs:
- Six months after discharge; or
- Two and five years after the VA Claim decision
Reevaluations are to verify the existence and severity of a service-connected condition. VA will also require an examination in cases where it is probable that a veteran’s condition has improved.
If there is an improvement to the veteran’s health, VA can assign a lower disability rating, which will then lower the veteran’s monthly compensation. Also, if the disability no longer exists, the VA may discontinue benefits.
For example, cancer is a specific service-connected disability that requires reevaluation due to possible improvement. If a veteran’s service-connected cancer diagnosis goes into remission, the VA will potentially reevaluate the condition and assign a new disability rating.
If VA decreases your disability rating based on the reevaluation, you have the right to request an increase if your condition worsens again.
Increase Your VA Disability Rating
If you or anyone you know served in the military, you may need help obtaining a fair disability rating and compensation—contact Veteran Ratings. Veteran Ratings has a 95% chance of success in acquiring the rating and benefits you deserve.
Have a question? On the fence? Then contact us for more information. We are here for you — we proudly serve those who served. Veterans are our only priority because they made this the land of the free through their bravery and sacrifice.