How to Increase VA Disability Rating from 70 to 100: Complete Strategy Guide

Bottom Line Up Front

Increasing from 70% to 100% is challenging but achievable. The gap between 70% and 100% represents severe, disabling conditions. Success requires documenting severe functional impairment across multiple domains or identifying new conditions. Strategic options: (1) Increase existing conditions to higher ratings; (2) Add new service-connected conditions; (3) Claim TDIU (100% compensation without rating increase, faster/easier). Processing time 120-180 days for rating increase; approval rates 20-30% for direct 100% claims. TDIU often more achievable path to 100% compensation (approval rates 50-65% if unemployable).

Understanding the 70% to 100% Gap

Rating Philosophy

70% rating = Severe disabilities with significant functional impairment
100% rating = Essentially unable to work or function in most capacities; requires extensive medical care/treatment
Gap definition = Not just "worse," but qualitatively different disability level

Examples of 100% Conditions

Severe TBI with major cognitive impairment
Severe PTSD preventing all employment/functioning
Severe blindness (both eyes)
Severe paralysis
Severe dementia
Multiple severe conditions combining to 100%
Terminal conditions

Why Direct 100% Rating Difficult

VA rates conservatively; 100% reserved for truly severe cases
Functional impairment must be extraordinary
Most 70% veterans fall short of 100% severity threshold
Alternative (TDIU) available for unemployability-based compensation

Strategy 1: Increase Existing High-Rated Conditions

Analyzing Current Rating

Review your 70% rating decision
Identify conditions making up rating
Example: PTSD 50% + back pain 20% + sleep disorder 10% = 70% combined
Focus on highest-rated conditions for increase potential

Documentation Needed

Recent medical records showing worsening symptoms
New functional impairment documentation
Change in medical treatment (more medications, more frequent medical visits)
Work-related impacts (inability to maintain employment)
Increased medical care needs
New specialist evaluation/recommendations

Effective Approach

Request specialist evaluation for highest-rated condition
Document functional worsening since last rating
Gather objective evidence: test results, imaging, measurements
Submit supplemental claim with comprehensive new documentation
Request increased rating specifically to next level

Examples of Rating Progression

PTSD Example:

Current 50%; you document severe worsening
Additional evidence: NEW psychiatric evaluation, detailed symptom documentation, hospitalization records, employment attempts showing failure
Increase to 70%+
Multiple conditions combined reach 100%

Chronic Pain Example:

Current 40% back condition; claim 50%+ with documentation of increased pain, failed treatments, increased disability
Combined with other conditions approach 100%

Strategy 2: Add New Service-Connected Conditions

Identifying New Conditions

Review your service and health history:

Conditions since service connected to military service?
Secondary conditions to your current rated conditions?
Presumptive conditions you haven't claimed (Agent Orange, burn pit, etc.)?
Conditions worsening due to service-connected disability?

Valuable Secondary Conditions

Secondary to PTSD: insomnia, migraines, hypertension, weight gain, anxiety disorders
Secondary to back injury: sciatica, arthritis, functional limitation conditions
Secondary to TBI: cognitive impairment, pain, sleep disorders
Presumptive conditions: If applicable (burn pit, Agent Orange, radiation)

Filing Strategy

Identify potential new conditions to add to current claim
Obtain medical evaluation/diagnosis for new conditions
Get nexus letters establishing connection to service or existing service-connected condition
File supplemental claim for multiple new conditions
Calculate combined rating showing path to 100%

Example Combined Rating Path

Current: PTSD 50% + back pain 20% = 60%
New: Add PTSD-related insomnia 10% + medication-related weight gain/hypertension 10% + secondary anxiety 10%
New conditions could increase combined rating to 80-90%
Additional conditions or rating increases get to 100%

Strategy 3: TDIU - 100% Compensation Without Rating Increase (Often Easier)

Key Advantage

Receive 100% monthly compensation WITHOUT achieving 100% rating
Required: 70% rating + evidence of unemployability
Often easier than getting 100% rating increase (50-65% approval vs. 20-30%)
Faster processing (4-6 months vs. 12+ months for rating increase)

TDIU Eligibility with 70% Rating

You automatically meet rating threshold (70% ≥ 60% requirement)
Only remaining requirement: Prove you cannot work due to service-connected disabilities

Evidence for TDIU

Medical provider statement: "Cannot maintain gainful employment due to service-connected conditions"
Functional limitation documentation showing work impossibility
Work history showing employment failure since disability onset
Medical necessity for unable to work
Family corroboration

TDIU Advantages vs. Direct 100% Rating

Factor	Direct 100%	TDIU
Approval Rate	20-30%	50-65%
Timeline	12-24 months	4-6 months
Evidence Standard	Very high	More reasonable
Monthly Compensation	100% rate	100% rate
Conditions Required	Single very severe or multiple conditions	Must show unemployability

Evidence Requirements for 70% to 100% Rating Increase

Medical Documentation

Recent (within 6 months) medical records showing current status
Objective evidence: Test results, imaging, measurements
Provider statements addressing specific functional impairment
Specialist evaluations: New opinions from treating providers
Functional assessment: Occupational therapy, functional capacity evaluation
Multiple provider perspectives if available

Functional Impairment Documentation

Concrete, specific examples: Not "can't do much," but "can't sit more than 30 minutes," "can't lift more than 5 lbs," "can't leave home due to agoraphobia"
Daily activity impact: Examples of specific ADL impairments
Work impact: Why unable to maintain employment specifically
Medical treatment intensity: Hospitalizations, ER visits, specialist appointments, medication changes
Quality of life impact documentation

Supporting Documents

Employment records: Job terminations, failed employment attempts related to disability
Medical treatment records: Frequency of medical visits, hospitalizations, ER visits showing increasing need
Medication history: Changes indicating worsening, medication additions
Family corroboration: Statement describing worsening condition, impact on functioning

Step-by-Step Rating Increase Process

Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation (Week 1)

Review rating decision
Identify highest-rated conditions
Determine if worsening objectively documented
Calculate combined rating with potential new conditions
Decide: Direct 100% increase vs. TDIU claim?

Step 2: Obtain Medical Evaluation (Weeks 1-6)

Request VA specialist evaluation for highest-rated conditions
Request private specialist if desired (stronger impact sometimes)
Focus on functional impairment
Ensure new evaluation documents specificity of limitations

Step 3: Gather Comprehensive Documentation (Weeks 2-8)

Collect all recent medical records
Document employment history since last rating
Gather work-related impact examples
Request family statement if applicable
Compile functional impairment examples

Step 4: File Supplemental Claim (Week 9)

Use Form 21-0960 (Supplemental Claim):

Request rating increase from 70% to 100%
Explain why conditions now warrant higher rating
Reference specific VA rating schedules
Provide narrative explaining functional impairment

Sample Narrative: "I am claiming rating increase from 70% to 100% due to significant worsening of service-connected conditions. My PTSD has become severely disabling, preventing any employment. I am providing new psychiatric evaluation documenting severe symptoms, unable to work due to PTSD severity. My back condition has also worsened significantly, confirmed by recent imaging. Combined, these conditions now warrant 100% rating. Additionally, I am claiming TDIU as alternative basis for 100% compensation based on documented unemployability."

Step 5: Submit Complete Evidence (Week 10)

Form 21-0960
Current VA rating decision
All new medical evidence
Specialist evaluations
Functional impairment documentation
Employment history documentation
Family corroboration if applicable
If filing TDIU alternative: Form 21-8940 as backup

Step 6: File and Track (Week 11+)

File at VA.gov (preferred) or mail
Monitor claim status
Respond to any VA requests immediately
Prepare for C&P exam if scheduled

TDIU as Alternative Path

When TDIU Makes Sense

You have 70%+ rating (already meet threshold)
You cannot work due to service-connected disabilities
You'd prefer faster 100% compensation route
Approval likelihood higher than direct 100% increase

Filing Both Strategies

File Supplemental Claim requesting 100% rating increase
Simultaneously file for TDIU (Form 21-8940)
If rating increase denied, TDIU claim still pending
Many successful TDIU claims when direct 100% denied

TDIU Advantages

Faster processing (4-6 months vs. 12+ months)
Higher approval rates (50-65% vs. 20-30%)
Same monthly compensation as 100% rating
More achievable standard (unemployability vs. extreme severity)

Real Examples

Success Example: Increased PTSD 50% to 70% + New Secondary Condition Added

Original Rating: 70% combined (PTSD 50% + back pain 20%)

Strategy: Supplemental claim requesting PTSD increase to 70% + add insomnia secondary

Evidence:

New VA psychiatry evaluation documenting severe PTSD worsening
Sleep study showing severe sleep disruption
Detailed functional impairment documentation
New employment attempt that failed due to PTSD symptoms
Family statement describing worsened condition

Outcome:

PTSD increased to 70%
Insomnia secondary approved at 10%
New combined rating: 80%
Partial success; not 100% but significant improvement

Next Step: Could file TDIU claim if unable to work, or file another supplemental with additional evidence for remaining distance to 100%.

TDIU Success vs. Failed 100% Increase

Veteran: Rated 70% (PTSD 50% + back pain 20%)

Strategy A (Failed): Filed supplemental claim requesting 100% rating increase

Denied: "While conditions severe, do not meet 100% rating criteria"
Approval rate for this path: 20-30%

Strategy B (Succeeded): Filed TDIU claim

Evidence: Cannot work due to PTSD + back pain
Approval: 100% compensation via TDIU
Approval rate for this path: 50-65%
Same monthly compensation as 100% rating
Much faster (6 months vs. 24 months for failed rating increase)

Key Lesson: TDIU often more achievable path to 100% compensation when direct rating increase unlikely.

Common Mistakes

1. Insufficient New Evidence

Mistake: Filing without recent medical documentation showing objective change.

Fix: Ensure new evidence shows clear worsening/new conditions since last rating.

2. Vague Functional Documentation

Mistake: "Conditions worse" without specific examples.

Fix: Concrete examples: "Cannot sit 8 hours," "Cannot lift 10 lbs," "Cannot leave home."

3. Overlooking TDIU Alternative

Mistake: Fighting for 100% rating increase when TDIU available and more achievable.

Fix: Evaluate TDIU option; often faster/easier path to 100% compensation.

4. Poor Timing

Mistake: Filing increase claim immediately after last claim without new evidence.

Fix: Wait until clear, objective worsening documented; fresh evidence stronger.

5. Weak Secondary Conditions

Mistake: Claiming secondary conditions without strong nexus letters.

Fix: Strong nexus letters from medical providers critical for secondary condition approval.

Timeline

Rating Increase: 120-180 Days Typical

Supplemental claim: 4-6 months
C&P exam possible: adds 4-8 weeks
Complex cases: 6+ months

TDIU: 60-120 Days Typical

Filing to decision: 4-6 months
C&P functional exam likely: 4-8 weeks
Faster than rating increase appeal

Resources

Government Resources

VA.gov: www.va.gov/disability/file-claim/
Forms: 21-0960 (Supplemental), 21-8940 (TDIU)
Contact: 1-800-827-1000

Veteran Organizations

VFW, American Legion, DAV: VSO representation
Rating strategy consultation valuable

Final Recommendation

Achieving 100% is challenging from 70% rating. Consider two-pronged approach:

Primary: File Supplemental Claim requesting 100% rating with comprehensive new evidence
Alternative: File TDIU claim (100% compensation if unable to work; higher approval likelihood)

If rating increase denied, TDIU claim often succeeds. Same monthly compensation either way.

Next Steps:

Evaluate which strategy fits your situation
Gather comprehensive new medical evidence
File appropriate claim(s) at VA.gov
Work with VSO for representation
Be prepared for C&P exam with specific examples

Strategic Choice: File both rating increase and TDIU simultaneously. Whichever succeeds achieves 100% compensation goal.