Education and organizing only · Last reviewed October 16, 2026 · you review and submit · we do not file
What VA looks at in an increase claim
VA.gov uses the words increased claim for a claim for more compensation for a disability VA has already found service connected, when that disability has gotten worse. This page says what VA looks at. It is education and organizing only. It is not a plan to raise a rating, and it is not a promise of a higher percent or more pay. You review your records and you submit the claim, or an accredited representative you choose does.
Last checked October 16, 2026. Not legal or medical advice. Not a VA decision.
What VA means by an increased claim
On the evidence page, checked October 16, 2026, VA.gov defines an increased claim as a claim for more compensation for a disability that VA has already determined to be service connected and that has gotten worse.
Service connected here means VA has already decided the disability is related to service and has already assigned a rating. This page does not tell you to claim a new condition, and it does not tell you how a condition should be linked to service.
VA.gov says this is not a Supplemental Claim. If a rated condition got worse, VA.gov says to file a claim for increased disability compensation. A Supplemental Claim is a review of a past decision when you have new and relevant evidence, or when the law changed.
The evidence VA says it needs
VA.gov says you need to submit current evidence from a medical professional that shows the disability has gotten worse. VA.gov then says to submit at least one of these: medical records or medical opinions from health care providers, or lay evidence, such as a buddy statement on VA Form 21-10210.
VA.gov says it requires only one of those types, and that you may submit both if you want. This page does not tell you which papers to get, what a record should say, or which symptoms to list.
VA.gov also explains lay evidence in general. It is written testimony by you or by someone who knows about the condition or the events. That person does not need special training. VA says it reviews lay evidence along with the other evidence you submit. You can write it on blank paper, on VA Form 21-10210, or on VA Form 21-4138.
- Medical records or medical opinions from health care providers.
- Lay evidence, such as a buddy statement (VA Form 21-10210).
- VA.gov says one of those types is required, and both are allowed.
What VA says a rating is based on
VA.gov says it assigns a disability rating based on the severity of the service-connected condition. VA expresses that rating as a percent of how much the disability decreases overall health and the ability to function. VA then uses the rating to set compensation. This page does not estimate a percent or a payment.
VA.gov says it bases the rating on the evidence you give, such as a doctor's report or test results; the results of a VA claim exam if VA decides an exam is needed; and other information VA may get from other sources, such as federal agencies.
The percent lines VA publishes for each condition are in 38 CFR Part 4. If you have more than one rating, VA.gov says the combined rating is not a simple sum of the percents. The condition pages on this site quote the published lines. They do not match your records to a line, and this page does not either.
When VA asks for a claim exam
VA.gov says it asks for a claim exam, also called a C&P exam, only if it needs more information to decide the claim. If the file already has enough medical evidence, VA says it follows the Acceptable Clinical Evidence process. That means VA reviews the records and may ask you to submit more evidence, instead of asking you to attend an exam.
VA.gov says a claim exam is not a normal medical visit. The provider does not treat you, and the provider does not decide the claim. After the exam, VA reviews the exam report with the other evidence and then sends a decision letter.
You do not schedule the exam yourself. VA or a VA contractor contacts you. If VA schedules an exam, VA.gov says missing it can delay the claim.
Where you submit it
VA.gov tells you to file a claim for increased disability compensation on the same disability-claim path as other compensation claims. The online page is titled File For Disability Benefits and uses VA Form 21-526EZ. The evidence rules on the evidence page are a summary of what VA Form 21-526EZ asks for.
This page does not fill out that form. You review it and you submit it on VA.gov, by mail, or with an accredited representative. We do not sign in to VA.gov for you.
What this page does not do
This page is education and organizing only. You review what VA published, and you submit your own claim. It does not tell you how to seek a higher rating, which condition to name, or what a medical opinion should say.
14-day free trial, then $9.99/month or $107.99/year. Cancel anytime. Never a cut of your VA pay. No tool can promise a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount. We do not.
- We do not tell you that a record is strong enough, and we do not write a medical opinion or a nexus statement.
- We are not a VSO, a claims agent, or an attorney, and we are not part of VA.
- We do not promise a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount.
Common questions
What is an increased claim?
VA.gov says it is a claim for more compensation for a disability VA has already found service connected, when that disability has gotten worse. It is not a Supplemental Claim, and it is not advice on how to seek a higher rating.
What does VA look at?
VA.gov says you submit current evidence from a medical professional that shows the disability has gotten worse. VA asks for at least one of these: medical records or medical opinions, or lay evidence such as VA Form 21-10210. You may send both. VA may also use a claim exam if it needs more information.
Does every increase claim need an exam?
No. VA.gov says it asks for a claim exam only when it needs more information. If the records are enough, VA uses the Acceptable Clinical Evidence process and reviews the file instead.
Will this page tell me my new rating?
No. A rating is VA's decision about severity, written as a percent in 38 CFR Part 4. This page does not match your records to a percent and does not promise a result. You review and you submit.
Official sources
Fetched October 16, 2026.
Related pages
Veterans Benefits AI · veteransbenefitsai.com · MAOMA Enterprises LLC. Veterans Benefits AI (veteransbenefitsai.com) is not affiliated with similarly named sites such as veteransbenefits.ai, with any VA GPT or chatbot, or with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.