The start of a new year naturally invites reflection. We reset routines, review finances, schedule medical appointments, and think about what the year ahead should look like. The New Year is the ideal time for veterans to review their VA disability rating, identify secondary service-connected conditions, and determine whether their benefits should be increased. VA disability ratings are not permanent, and filing early in the year can help veterans receive the VA disability compensation increase they deserve.
Your VA rating is not meant to stay frozen in time. Health changes. Conditions worsen. New diagnoses appear. Secondary conditions develop. Yet many veterans go years—sometimes decades—without reviewing whether their current rating still reflects their reality.
At VetsForever, we believe an annual VA rating review should be as routine as an annual physical. It is not about reopening old wounds. It is about making sure your benefits accurately reflect the service-connected conditions you live with today.
Why the New Year Is the Best Time to Review Your VA Rating
VA disability ratings are designed to evolve as your health evolves. The VA allows veterans to request increases when conditions worsen or when new, related conditions develop. Despite this, most veterans delay reevaluations, often assuming their rating is final or that the process is too complicated to revisit.
January creates a unique advantage:
- Medical appointments reset and availability improves
- New evidence can be gathered early in the year
- Filing sooner prevents months of underpayment
- Claims filed early often move faster than those submitted during peak backlog periods
Conditions naturally worsen with time, especially musculoskeletal injuries, tinnitus, mental health conditions, and chronic pain. Veterans also frequently develop secondary conditions years after service, even if their original rating never changed. Missing these updates can cost veterans thousands of dollars annually in tax-free benefits.
Many Veterans Are Under-Rated
Nearly one in three veterans believe their initial VA disability rating is too low. This is not uncommon. Initial claims are often filed during stressful transitions, rushed timelines, or without complete medical documentation. In many cases, the VA simply did not have the full picture.
Signs your rating may be outdated include:
- Increased pain or reduced mobility
- New medications or higher dosages
- Worsening mental health symptoms
- More frequent medical visits
- Changes in your ability to work or function day to day
Reevaluating early in the year means any increase applies across the entire calendar year, not just the remaining months. A short review now can have a meaningful financial and medical impact for the next twelve months and beyond.
Secondary Conditions Are One of the Most Overlooked Opportunities
Secondary conditions are one of the fastest-growing categories of VA claims, and they are often missed entirely. A secondary condition is a new disability that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition.
Common examples include:
- Sleep apnea linked to PTSD
- Migraines related to traumatic brain injury or neck injuries
- Radiculopathy caused by back conditions
- GERD or gastrointestinal issues caused by long-term medication use
- Anxiety or depression stemming from chronic pain
- Balance issues related to tinnitus
- Hypertension associated with PTSD
These conditions can significantly impact a veteran’s combined rating, yet many veterans are never told they may qualify. A proper review looks at the full picture of how service-connected conditions affect your overall health today.
Life Changes Can Impact Your VA Rating
VA disability ratings are based on how conditions affect daily life and functioning. When life circumstances change, your rating may need to change too.
Situations that often warrant a review include:
- Job changes or job loss
- Reduced work capacity or missed work due to health
- Increased caregiving responsibilities
- Declining mobility or endurance
- Heightened mental health symptoms
Your rating should reflect how your conditions impact your ability to live, work, and function now—not how they affected you years ago.
Updated Evidence Strengthens Your Claim
One of the most common reasons ratings remain low is outdated or incomplete medical evidence. The VA prioritizes current documentation when evaluating claims. January is an ideal time to gather updated records, including:
- Annual wellness exams
- Mental health evaluations
- Imaging such as MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays
- Sleep studies
- Specialist visits
- Prescription changes
- Symptom journaling and functional impact notes
Strong, recent evidence dramatically improves claim outcomes and ensures the VA sees the full scope of what you are experiencing today.
Filing Early Helps You Avoid Annual Delays
The VA processed a record-breaking 3,001,734 claims in fiscal year 2025. While improvements have been made, volume still impacts timing. Veterans who file early in the year often experience shorter waits for exams and decisions.
Supplemental claims in particular show strong outcomes. Eighty-one percent of supplemental claims result in some level of monetary benefit, and more than 60 percent of initial claims are granted overall. Filing early helps position your claim ahead of seasonal backlogs and exam delays
Learn more about the VA claims process and how VetsForever supports veterans here.
Why Accredited Support Matters
Not all claims assistance is equal. Working with a VA-accredited law group protects veterans from costly mistakes and unethical practices.
Accredited representation means:
- Legal authorization to assist with VA claims
- Training in VA law and regulations
- Access to VA systems such as VBMS
- Ethical fee structures that comply with VA rules
- Fees charged only from awarded backpay
- Protection from predatory, unaccredited services
At VetsForever, our Advocate team are mostly all 100% Service Connected Rated Veterans and professionals who understand the system, review evidence thoroughly, and ensure claims are filed correctly the first time.
The Real Impact of an Accurate Rating
The difference between an average VA rating and an optimized one is substantial. The average VA claim results in a 30 percent rating, equating to approximately $7,776 per year. VetsForever clients average a 50 percent rating, earning roughly $15,444 annually. That is a difference of $7,668 in tax-free income every year.
Beyond finances, accurate ratings support access to care, reduce stress, and create long-term stability for veterans and their families.
Make January the Month You Take Stock
An annual VA rating review is not about questioning the past. It is about protecting your future. Health changes. Life changes. Your benefits should keep pace.
January is the reset your VA rating deserves.
If you have not reviewed your benefits recently, now is the time.
👉 Connect with accredited support
👉 Make sure your benefits reflect your service
👉 Schedule a VA disability rating review with VetsForever today
At VetsForever, we are here to ensure veterans have clarity, confidence, and the benefits they earned; now and for years to come.
