![]() ![]() Supporting evidence might be in the form of statements from friends and family substantiating how your symptoms have worsened over time. VA will look at the medical records and any further evidence you can provide, to prove a higher rating is justified. To warrant an increased rating, you will need to demonstrate that your PTSD has deteriorated through medical evidence. As a veteran receiving VA compensation, it is your right to request an increase when your impairment causes your health to deteriorate. PTSD is one medical condition that can worsen over time, which is an important component of a claim for increased benefits. Credible evidence that demonstrates the frequency, severity, and duration of psychiatric symptoms is what it takes to support a claim that your PTSD symptoms impair your ability to obtain and keep steady work. When we file for increased ratings, we develop a strong case centered on occupational factors in addition to social issues. The challenges you face concerning your capacity to work and earn a substantial, gainful living is at the core of your VA disability claim. Sometimes PTSD ratings are often focused more on social factors instead of occupational factors. Fortify the Veteran’s Occupational Disabilities But in reality, your true mental health picture is much more severe when we consider how these symptoms ravage your life each and every day. If they see that your impairments match the 30% rating criteria for “anxiety” and “chronic sleep impairment,” you may only be assigned the 30% rating. Over time, these impairments strain and push the veteran to the limit, causing severe functional destruction and inability to cope.īut the VA often looks to tick off boxes on their form, and not look at the big picture. Many of our clients, whether they were deployed in Vietnam or served in operations against al-Qaeda, have lived with anxiety and sleep deprivation ever since their deployment. The 30% rating specifically states “anxiety” and “chronic sleep impairment” as criteria. To challenge a low mental health rating and emerge with an increased rating, in many cases we can demonstrate to the VA how the frequency, severity, and duration of those symptoms deserve a higher VA rating. ![]() 2017) has helped pave the way in these efforts. To arrive at the appropriate rating percentage, VA must consider ALL symptoms in a complete, holistic analysis. VA is not restricted to only those “listed” symptoms. When those symptoms are not mentioned, the VA is dismissing the higher rating. Here is a key reality of PTSD claims: VA raters may sift through the veteran’s symptoms, only looking for those disorders that fit within the 50%, 70%, and 100% ratings. ![]() The language used in the criteria is written using “ such as” - as in, “ due to such symptoms a s: suicidal ideation obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities speech intermittently illogical…” and so on. The rating criteria VA follows is basically a list of symptoms. VA Overlooks Symptoms, Causing Errors in Analysis The following examples show how our attorneys have helped thousands of veterans get the ratings they deserve when VA gets it wrong, or if the original claim was deficient. VA laws apply to specific PTSD claims differently. Ways We Can Help Increase Your PTSD RatingĮvery PTSD claim is unique, having its own social and occupational factors. Note that veterans have new options when appealing a decision or asking for a decision review:įor help understanding the proper path in your case, do not hesitate to contact us. How Does a Veteran Request a PTSD Rating Increase?īasically, you have 1 year from the date on your decision to request a decision review. The severity of your impairments and the more impairments you have, all contribute to a higher VA rating. Remember: when rating your VA disability benefits, the VA must consider both your mental health and physical impairments. Veterans with severe mental health conditions, including PTSD, can and should obtain their appropriate 50, 70 or 100 percent VA disability rating. The VA ratings for PTSD-and all mental health claims-are set at the following percentage increments: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%.īut the reality is that far too many veterans do not get the PTSD and other mental health ratings they truly deserve. Are you wondering why your PTSD rating is so low? If you are unsatisfied with the VA’s decision, it may be possible to increase your PTSD rating.
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