Step-By-Step Guide on Increasing VA Disability From 80% to 100%
If the VA has just assigned you an 80% disability rating, you’re likely dealing with service-related medical conditions that significantly hinder your quality of life. You may have expected a 100% rating, and it’s understandable to feel disappointed that the VA hasn’t fully recognized your struggles.
If you’re looking to raise your VA rating, the experienced veterans disability lawyers at Rob Levine Law can help. This page will explain how to potentially increase your VA disability rating from 80% to 100%, significantly improving your monthly income and granting full access to health care benefits.
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Legally Reviewed by:
Last Updated:
March 30, 2026
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Review Your Current VA Rating and Medical Records
- Step 2: File a Claim for an Increased Rating
- Step 3: Gather New or Updated Medical Evidence
- Step 4: Request a C&P Exam
- Step 5: Consider Seeking Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability Benefits
- Step 6: Appeal the Decision if Denied
- Step 7: Seek Professional Assistance from a Veterans Disability Lawyer
Key Takeaways
- Rob Levine Law helps veterans increase their VA disability ratings, providing expert guidance through the claims process, including obtaining medical evidence and preparing for C&P exams.
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities can increase their ratings by presenting new medical evidence or pursuing Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
- If a claim is denied, veterans can appeal through the VA’s process, and Rob Levine Law offers professional assistance to navigate this and maximize chances for success.
Step 1: Review Your Current VA Rating and Medical Records
If you have a condition rated at 80%, the VA finds that your condition leaves you with a 20% capacity to handle your daily activities. You must increase your rating by at least 15% for the VA to consider you totally disabled, as reviewers will round a 95% disabilty rating to 100%.
To close that gap, you’ll have to raise the ratings for your existing disabilities or add more conditions to increase your combined percentage. The VA combined ratings table can help you understand how each service-connected condition will be accounted for in calculating your VA disability rating.
Review the decision letter for your current rating and your medical records to identify information that the VA hasn’t yet considered, including overlooked details or any new symptoms or conditions you haven’t reported.
Step 2: File a Claim for an Increased Rating
Even before you have gathered all your new evidence, you can file a new VA disability claim for an increased rating. Ensure you complete all forms correctly and include all necessary documentation to avoid unnecessary delays or denials caused by administrative errors.
If your condition hasn’t worsened since your original filing, you can still seek a higher rating through a supplemental claim if you have new and relevant evidence to strengthen your original disability benefits claim.
Step 3: Gather New or Updated Medical Evidence
To support claims that your disabilities are worsening or you’ve developed new conditions, you should schedule new medical appointments or collect documentation from recent ones.
Evidence and supporting documentation that can help you increase your VA disability rating include the following:
- Treatment records
- Doctor’s notes
- Lab and rest results, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
- Personal lay statements and “buddy statements” from friends or family members
- Employment records
- Expert opinions from medical professionals
Step 4: Request a C&P Exam
You can request a new compensation and pension, or C&P, exam if you believe it will show worsening symptoms or conditions the VA hasn’t previously considered. Your disability rating will heavily depend on the results of your C&P exam, so consider speaking with a disability advocate to fully prepare yourself.
Step 5: Consider Seeking Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability Benefits
If you’re unable to maintain substantially gainful employment because of your service-connected injuries, you may be eligible for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability benefits, or TDIU. TDIU helps vets with serious conditions who aren’t considered totally disabled receive benefits at the same rate as if they had a 100% disability rating.
To qualify for TDIU, you must have a disability rating of 60% or higher for a single condition, or a combined rating of at least 70% for multiple conditions with at least one rated at 40% or higher. You can apply for TDIU benefits by submitting a pair of forms available on the VA’s website.
Step 6: Appeal the Decision if Denied
If the VA denies your claim to increase your disability rating, you may still have recourse through the VA appeals process. The following appeal options are available:
- Supplemental claim: You can use a supplemental claim to include new evidence not considered in the original decision.
- Higher-level review: You can ask for a higher-level reviewer at the VA to re-evaluate your claim and see if they reach a different decision.
- Board hearing: You can appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, which will schedule a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge to review your claims.
You must take action within one year of receiving your decision letter to file a supplemental claim or request a higher-level review. The deadline to request a board hearing is one year after receiving a decision on your initial claim, a supplemental claim, or a higher-level review.
Step 7: Seek Professional Assistance from a Veterans Disability Lawyer
At any stage in the process, working with a knowledgeable veterans disability lawyer can maximize your chances of increasing your VA disability rating from 80% to 100%. Your attorney can help you gather evidence, file claims, and represent you at appeals hearings.
At Rob Levine Law, our veterans disability team has more than 75 years of combined experience helping vets like you secure the benefits they deserve. We’ve helped more than 50,000 people recover over $2 billion in compensation and benefits.
We’re available 24/7 to take your call, and with our Fee Free Guarantee®, you won’t pay us anything unless you win. Contact us online or call (800) 742-3920 today to schedule a free consultation with our trusted team.
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Notable Case Results
$1,005,000
Veterans livining in Providence after years of serving in the US Air Force in the early 1980s she suffered from PTSD and was a sexual misconduct victim in the service. Our firm won over a million dollars in back benefits for the vet.
$180,000
Veteran living in Portsmouth RI had suffered hearing loss, PTSD and HTN from his time in the Army we were able to get him nearly $200,000 in back benefits.
$145,000
Veteran of the Army living in Exeter RI, suffered injries during the time as a demolition specialist. In the 1960s the veteran was exposed to things that left him with permanent hearing and vision loss, headaches, arthritis and a TBI. We earned the veteran over $140,000 in back benenfits.
$110,000
Navy veteran living in Quincy MA served in the 1960s was exposed to chemicals that caused prostate cancer. He suffered from a TBI as well and was granted TDIU. We earned the client $110,000 in back benefits.
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