Over time, your VA-rated disability might have gotten worse. Or perhaps you’ve developed a secondary condition that’s related to a condition VA has already rated. Or maybe you were denied a disability rating, but haven’t followed through with an appeal. Or maybe you have, but the appeal was denied.
VA’s streamlined disability application can address any of these situations. In fact, it’s so easy to use, investing a few minutes today submitting an application related to your physical or mental health could mean a long-term investment in your financial health.
“You can file a claim for increased disability compensation if you have a rated service-connected disability that’s gotten worse. You’ll need to submit up-to-date medical evidence that shows your disability has gotten worse.”
“You can file a secondary claim to get more disability benefits for a new disability that’s linked to a service-connected disability you already have.
For example, you might file a secondary claim if you:
Develop arthritis that’s caused by a service-connected knee injury you got while on active duty, or
Develop heart disease that’s caused by the high blood pressure you were diagnosed with while on active duty and that we’d previously concluded was connected to your service”
“You can file a Supplemental Claim if you meet all of these requirements:
We denied your disability claim, and
You didn’t file an appeal at that time, and
You have new and relevant evidence (new supporting documents like a doctor’s report or medical test results) that we haven’t seen before and that’s directly related to your claim
For example, you might file a Supplemental Claim if you were treated for pain in your elbow while on active duty, but you were denied disability benefits because your VA health exam didn’t find a problem. Then 2 years later, an X-ray of your elbow showed signs of arthritis (a painful swelling and sometimes wearing down of a joint). In this case, you would need to send your new exam and X-ray results to us as new evidence related to the claim.”
