Appealing A Low VA Disability Rating: A Step-by-Step Guide For Veterans

Posted by Gregory M. Rada | November 25, 2025 | Firm News

Getting a VA disability rating that’s lower than you expected hurts. It’s frustrating. And for many veterans, it’s financially devastating.

You might think that’s just the decision you’re stuck with. It’s not. If your rating doesn’t reflect how severe your condition actually is or how much it affects your daily life, you can fight it. You have options.

At Gregory M. Rada, Attorney at Law, we work with veterans throughout Pennsylvania who are fighting for the compensation they’ve earned. Understanding how the appeals process works is your first step toward getting a rating that’s actually fair.

Why Your Rating Might Be Too Low

The VA assigns disability ratings based on how severe your service-connected condition is and how it limits your ability to function. Ratings go from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. Higher percentages mean more monthly compensation.

But plenty of things can result in a rating that’s unfairly low:

• The examiner underestimated how bad your symptoms really are during your C&P exam
• Your medical records didn’t fully show how the condition impacts your daily activities
• The VA ignored secondary conditions that your primary disability caused
• Your symptoms got worse after you received your original rating
• Important medical evidence you submitted just got overlooked in the decision

Sometimes the VA simply makes mistakes when applying its own rating criteria. Other times, veterans don’t realize they need to spell out exactly how their condition affects work, relationships, and everyday tasks. The VA won’t assume anything.

Filing Deadlines Matter

You’ve got one year from the date on your rating decision to file a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review. Miss that deadline and things get complicated fast. You could lose out on retroactive benefits.

Here’s what’s important to know. Filing an appeal won’t put your current benefits at risk. You’ll keep receiving compensation at your existing rating while the appeal moves through the system. And if you win? You may get back pay from your original effective date.

Three Ways to Appeal Your Rating

The VA’s Appeals Modernization Act created three different pathways for challenging a rating decision. Each one has advantages depending on what went wrong with your case.

Supplemental Claim

This route lets you submit new and relevant evidence that wasn’t part of your original claim. A Supplemental Claim makes sense when you’ve got additional medical records, buddy statements, or a nexus letter from a doctor connecting your condition to your military service.

Higher-Level Review

Did the VA mess up when reviewing your existing evidence? A Higher-Level Review puts your case in front of a senior reviewer who takes another look. You can’t submit new evidence with this option, but it typically moves faster than other appeal routes.

Board Appeal

When a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review doesn’t fix the problem, you can take your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. This process takes longer but gives you opportunities for hearings where you can testify directly about your condition.

Building a Strong Case

Your appeal is only as good as the evidence behind it. Medical documentation forms the backbone of any successful rating increase.

Current treatment records matter most. They show ongoing symptoms and how severe they really are. If you stopped going to the doctor because you thought nothing could help, consider starting treatment again. Regular visits create a documented pattern that proves your symptoms aren’t going away.

A Disability Benefits Questionnaire completed by your own physician can provide detailed information the VA examiner missed or didn’t catch during a short appointment. These standardized forms use the same format the VA relies on for rating decisions, which helps.

Lay statements from family members, friends, or people you used to work with can describe how your condition affects daily life in ways a medical exam can’t capture. These become particularly valuable for mental health conditions where symptoms might not be obvious during a 20-minute evaluation.

For many conditions, getting an independent medical opinion or nexus letter makes the difference between approval and denial. A Pennsylvania Veterans disability lawyer can help you figure out exactly what type of medical evidence will strengthen your specific case.

What to Expect During Your Appeal

After you file, the VA reviews your case according to whichever pathway you selected. Processing times vary a lot. Most appeals take several months to over a year depending on how complex your case is and what the backlog looks like at regional offices.

During a Higher-Level Review, a senior VA employee examines the same evidence from your original claim to see if errors occurred. You won’t attend any hearings or get sent to new exams for this type of appeal.

With a Supplemental Claim, the VA considers your new evidence alongside everything already in your file. They might schedule another C&P exam if they need more current information about your condition.

Board Appeals offer the most comprehensive review. You’ve got options for submitting additional evidence, requesting a hearing, or choosing a direct review without new evidence or testimony.

Mistakes That Sink Appeals

Too many veterans accidentally weaken their own appeals. How? By downplaying symptoms during examinations or failing to talk about their worst days.

The VA examiner only sees you for maybe 30 minutes. They’re relying on you to honestly describe how the condition affects your life when they’re not in the room. Don’t be tough. Be honest.

Another problem is waiting too long to file an appeal. Sure, you’ve got one year from your decision date. But gathering strong evidence takes time. Medical opinions don’t appear overnight. Starting early gives you room to build a solid case.

Some veterans try handling complex appeals alone without understanding the legal standards the VA applies. Rating criteria can be incredibly technical and confusing, especially for conditions with multiple rating levels based on specific symptoms. What seems straightforward often isn’t.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Fighting for a fair disability rating means understanding VA regulations, medical terminology, and legal procedures that most people never encounter. Working with a Pennsylvania Veterans disability lawyer who focuses exclusively on VA disability appeals can significantly improve your chances of success.

We review your entire claims file to identify errors and evidence that got missed. Our team gathers the medical opinions and documentation needed to support your appeal properly. Most importantly, we present your case using the legal framework the VA actually uses to evaluate rating increases.

Your VA disability rating should reflect the true impact of your service-connected condition. If it doesn’t, you don’t have to accept it. Contact our firm to discuss your appeal options and take the first step toward receiving the full compensation you’ve earned through your military service.