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How to Go From 70 to 100 VA Disability Rating
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How to Go From 70 to 100 VA Disability Rating? A Step-by-Step Guide for Veterans

The question, “How to go from 70 to 100 VA disability rating?” is asked by many veterans. Fortunately, it is possible to move from a 70% rating to a 100% rating. However, this task requires the use of the right approach and proper medical evidence in addition to an understanding of the VA’s disability claim evaluation processes.

A 100% VA disability rating will increase your monthly payments and allow you to take advantage of several other benefits. However, it should be mentioned that the VA does not automatically elevate your rating as time goes by. To increase your rating, you have to prove the aggravation of the service-connected conditions and the existence of new service-connected disabilities.

This guide will help you understand what steps to follow to create a better claim and improve your chances of getting a higher VA disability rating.

Why Veterans Try to Increase Their VA Disability Rating

A 70% disability rating already provides substantial monthly compensation, but many veterans continue to experience worsening health conditions long after leaving military service.

Increasing your rating to 100% may provide:

  • Higher monthly tax-free compensation
  • Additional healthcare benefits
  • Dental coverage in many cases
  • Educational assistance for dependents
  • Property tax exemptions in many states
  • CHAMPVA healthcare for eligible family members
  • Commissary and exchange privileges (where applicable)

The difference in benefits can have a significant impact on your family’s financial stability.

How Do I Go from a 70 to 100 VA Disability Rating?

How to Increase Your VA Disability Rating

Unfortunately, there is no specific strategy for achieving your goal of moving from 70 to 100 VA disability rating. VA will assess medical evidence, service connection, and disability severity.

Veterans most commonly apply for an increased rating in the following situations:

  1. Applying for an Increased Rating

If you have noticed a worsening of your service-connected condition, you can file a claim for an increase. Examples of this may include:

  • More severe PTSD
  • Persistent back pain that interferes with your daily life
  • Frequent migraines
  • Sleep apnea requiring further medical care

Your current medical condition will be evaluated in accordance with VA rating criteria.

  1. Include Conditions Related to Other Disabilities

Multiple veterans miss secondary conditions arising from the existing disabilities related to the service.

This can include:

  • Depression coming from long-lasting pain
  • Sleep apnea due to PTSD
  • Back trauma leading to sciatic nerve pain
  • GERD as a side effect of certain medication
  • Migraine due to Traumatic Brain Injury

Adding these conditions may have a significant influence on the total disability rating.

  1. Gather Strong Medical Evidence

Medical evidence is often the deciding factor.

Helpful evidence includes:

  • Updated treatment records
  • VA medical records
  • Private physician reports
  • Specialist evaluations
  • MRI or X-ray results
  • Mental health assessments
  • Prescription history

The more current and detailed your documentation, the stronger your claim becomes.

Understanding the Process of VA Combined Ratings

There are a number of common misconceptions regarding how disability percentages are evaluated.

The most notable of these is the idea that disability percentage ratings are simply totaled.

In fact, the VA utilizes a combined ratings formula in which each subsequent rating takes into consideration the remaining health of the veteran.

For example:

  • 70% + 30% does not equal 100% right away.
  • Other factors must be calculated using the VA combined ratings chart.

This means that a lot of former soldiers might require several qualifying disabilities to be considered 100% schedular.

Understanding how the system operates will allow you to have realistic expectations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Increase Your VA Disability Rating

Step 1: Review Your Current Rating Decision

Read your VA Rating Decision Letter carefully.

Look for:

  • Current service-connected disabilities
  • Assigned percentages
  • Reasons for denial
  • Conditions rated at 0%

This information helps identify opportunities for an increase.

Step 2: Continue Medical Treatment

Regular treatment creates ongoing medical documentation.

Avoid long gaps in care because the VA often looks for consistent evidence showing your condition continues to affect your daily life.

Step 3: Document How Your Condition Has Worsened

Keep track of symptoms such as:

  • Missed work
  • Difficulty walking
  • Sleep problems
  • Panic attacks
  • Memory loss
  • Chronic pain
  • Medication changes

A personal symptom journal can support your claim alongside medical records.

Step 4: Attend Your VA C&P Exam

The Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam is one of the most important parts of your claim.

During the exam:

  • Answer questions honestly.
  • Explain your worst days, not just your best.
  • Don’t exaggerate symptoms.
  • Don’t minimize how your disability affects your daily life.

The examiner’s report often carries significant weight in the VA’s decision.

Step 5: Consider Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

Not every veteran needs a schedular 100% rating.

If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

TDIU allows many veterans to receive compensation at the 100% payment rate even if their combined disability rating is less than 100%.

Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim

Common VA Claim Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors when trying to increase your rating:

  • Waiting too long to seek medical treatment
  • Missing your C&P examination
  • Filing without updated evidence
  • Forgetting secondary conditions
  • Underreporting symptoms
  • Ignoring unfavorable VA decisions
  • Failing to appeal within required deadlines

Many denied claims result from incomplete documentation rather than a lack of eligibility.

Expert Insight: A Real-World Example

Imagine a veteran who currently has:

  • PTSD rated at 70%
  • Chronic back pain rated at 20%

Over time, the veteran develops:

  • Sleep apnea related to PTSD
  • Depression that worsens daily functioning
  • Sciatica caused by the back injury

With strong medical opinions linking these secondary conditions to existing service-connected disabilities, the veteran may qualify for a much higher combined rating—or even 100%, depending on the overall evidence and VA evaluation.

Every case is different, but this example highlights the importance of identifying all service-connected conditions.

How to increase your VA disability rating to 100%

If your question is how to increase a 70 VA disability rating to a 100 VA disability rating – there are certain forms of preparation, perseverance, and above all – proof.

For veterans to improve their chances for a positive decision regarding the increase in their disability rating, they should examine their existing rating, take notes about the worsening of the injuries, make out a list of service-connected diseases, and control costs in terms of medical examinations, tests, and consultation with experts.

Each veteran has his/her own story to tell about the multistep process of filing a claim. If more details about the issue are required, professional help should be sought by working with a qualified advocate in the field of VA claims.

Do not hesitate to contact our team for any additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I go from a 70 to 100 VA disability rating?

You typically need to prove that your existing service-connected conditions have worsened, add eligible secondary conditions, or qualify for TDIU. Strong medical evidence is essential.

2. Can I receive 100% VA disability without new conditions?

Yes. If your current disabilities have become more severe and meet the VA’s criteria for a higher rating, you may qualify for an increase without adding new conditions.

3. What medical evidence helps increase a VA disability rating?

Updated treatment records, physician opinions, diagnostic imaging, specialist reports, prescription history, and detailed medical evaluations all strengthen your claim.

4. What is the fastest way to increase my VA disability rating?

There is no guaranteed fast track. However, submitting complete medical evidence, attending your C&P exam, and filing a fully developed claim can help avoid unnecessary delays.

5. Can secondary service-connected conditions help me reach 100%?

Yes. Secondary conditions often increase a veteran’s combined disability rating when supported by medical evidence showing they were caused or aggravated by an existing service-connected disability.

6. Is TDIU the same as a 100% VA disability rating?

Not exactly. TDIU pays veterans at the 100% compensation rate because they cannot maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, even if their combined schedular rating is below 100%.

VETCOMM offers a Money-Back Guarantee for veterans who follow the full process as outlined. When you sign up, you agree to allow us two attempts to help you secure at least a 10% VA rating. To remain eligible for a refund, you must attend all scheduled appointments with our team and complete your VA-requested C&P exams.

If your first VETCOMM-assisted claim results in a total VA rating increase of 10% or more, the goal of the course has been achieved and the guarantee is fulfilled. No refund is issued.

If your first claim does not lead to a 10% total increase, VETCOMM will assist you in filing a second claim.
If the second claim results in a 10% or greater increase, the goal has been achieved and the guarantee is fulfilled.

If your second claim also does not result in a 10% total increase, you have two options:

  1. Request a full refund

  2. Proceed with a third filing and waive your right to a refund

Filing a third claim fulfills the guarantee obligation, regardless of outcome. Many veterans require multiple filings due to documentation challenges or individual circumstances that affect how the VA awards ratings. While we assist in the process, approval decisions are made solely by the VA.

There are a few situations where the Guarantee Refund Policy does not apply:

  • Veterans with a 90% Total Disability Rating:
    Due to how the VA calculates ratings, increasing from 90% to 100% is very difficult. VETCOMM will still assist with up to three (3) VETCOMM-assisted claims, but no refund will be issued if a 10% total increase is not awarded.

  • Veterans with an Other Than Honorable (OTH) Discharge:
    Veterans with an OTH discharge can still file claims with VETCOMM. However, because of additional VA restrictions, we will assist with up to two (2) VETCOMM-assisted claims, and no refund will be issued if a 10% total increase is not awarded.