The VA reevaluates your disability rating every 2 to 5 years. If your condition has improved during the reexamination, your disability rating may be lowered. However, in cases where the condition remains the same or worsens, your disability rating will not change or rather be increased.
If you are worried about the reevaluation of the VA, there are a few things to understand first. In this blog, we will go through the process of the VA’s reevaluation of disability ratings and when you may get your rating reduced. Let’s get into it –
How Often Does the VA Reexamine Disability Ratings?
After giving a disability rating to a veteran, the US Department of Veterans Affairs will reexamine the individual’s condition in the future. This is done to ensure whether or not the veteran is eligible for the same benefits they have received in the past. During this examination, the VA will assess the severity of a veteran’s condition, looking for any changes.
For instance, if someone’s condition has improved over time after getting their disability rating, their rating will be reduced in the reevaluation. Moreover, if a veteran shows substantial improvement in health with no symptoms of the disorder they received compensation for, their disability rating will be withdrawn, meaning they won’t be able to get any more benefits.
However, in cases where the condition remains the same, the rating will remain unchanged, and this happens to veterans with chronic conditions and those who have been receiving disability benefits for a long time.
Reevaluations of disability benefits are usually taken every 2-5 years by the VA.
Cases Where the VA Does Not Reevaluate
While many conditions are expected to improve over time, some diseases do not fall under this blessing. Therefore, not every disability benefit receiver has to attend a reexamination. The following instances are when the VA does not reevaluate disability benefits –
Permanent and Total Disability Rating
If you receive a permanent and total (P&T) disability rating from the VA, you will likely not have to be reevaluated. However, in some cases, the VA can still take away or reduce a 100% permanent and total disability rating, even though the likelihood is not as high as a regular disability rating.
Ratings That Remain Unchanged for a Long Time
Veterans who have had the same disability rating for 5 years or more are less likely to get their disability rating reduced. The longer you have your rating, the harder it is for the VA to take away your benefits unless they find evidence of fraud.
How to Ensure Your Disability Rating Stays the Same
If you believe that your condition has not improved and want to make sure that the VA does not reduce your disability rating during a reevaluation, there are a few steps you can take –
- Get a report from your doctor stating that your condition remained unchanged to show the VA.
- Provide statements from your friends, family, and coworkers who can attest to the fact that your condition has not improved.
- Be truthful and do not undermine your symptoms when attending the reevaluation.
If you believe that your disability rating has incorrectly been reduced, contact the experts at VA Disability Coach for help.
Conclusion
As you now know, your disability rating may be reevaluated every 2 to 5 years except for specific circumstances. If your symptoms have remained the same, you do not have to worry about the VA reducing your disability compensation.