• Increased Rating Statement Form

    Please complete a statement form for EACH claim you intend to pursue that you are already service-connected for. If you have any questions, please contact your case manager for more information.
  • THIS STATEMENT IS ABOUT ...

    • Secondary Mental Health Symptoms 
    • If you experience mental health symptoms of depression or anxiety because of your symptoms or limitations, consider making an appointment with a mental health specialist. 

       

      Once you have a diagnosis, we may be able to help you file a separate claim for depression/anxiety secondary to your service-connected condition, if necessary.

  • Cancer

    Any Type
    Cancer
  • A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure.

    Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination.

    Once your cancer has been in remission for 6 months, the VA will propose to reduce your cancer rating and it will assign a rating based on the residuals of the cancer.

    • Residual Scarring 
  • Auditory

    Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
    Auditory
    • Hearing Loss and Tinnitus 
    • Ear Infections 
    • Balance Disorders 
  • Cardiovascular

    Heart Conditions and Hypertension
    Cardiovascular
    • Arrythmias 
    • Hypertension or High Blood Pressure 
    • Heart Surgeries 
    • METs Testing 
  • Dental and Oral

    Dental and Oral
    • Teeth 
    • Mandible 
    • Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ) 
  • Digestive

    IBS, Stomach, GERD
    Digestive
    • Esophageal Condition (including GERD) 
    • Gall Bladder Condition 
    • Hemorrhoids 
    • Hernia 
    • Intestinal Condition and Irritable Bowel or Colon Syndrome (IBS) 
    • Liver Condition 
    • Ulcer 
  • Endocrine

    Diabetes, Thyroid, Cushing's, etc
    Endocrine
    • Diabetes Mellitus 
    • Thyroid Condition 
    • Addison's Disease 
    • Cushing's Syndrome 
  • Gynecological

    Breast, Cervix, Uterus, Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
    Gynecological
    • Breast 
    • Endometriosis 
    • Ovaries 
    • Uterus 
  • Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Malaria, Rheumatic Fever, Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus, Lupus, HIV-Related Illnesses
    Infectious Diseases, Immune Disorders, and Nutritional Deficiencies
    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
    • HIV-Related Illnesses 
    • Lupus 
    • Lyme Disease 
    • Malaria 
    • Rheumatic Fever 
  • Mental Health

    PTSD, Depression, Anxiety
    Mental Health
  • Psychotropic medications include anti-depressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiety medications, stimulants for ADHD, etc.

  • Neurological

    Epilepsies, Neuralgia, Nerve Injuries, Neuritis, Neuropathies, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injuries
    Neurological
    • Epilepsies or Seizures 
    • What is a major seizure?

      A major seizure is a seizure that affects the entire brain. Usually, major seizures involve loss of consciousness and uncontrollable shaking.

       

      What is a minor seizure?

      Minor seizures affect a portion of the brain, and usually involve brief interruptions of consciousness with symptoms such as mumbling, rocking, slight twitching of the muscles, and/or falling down.

    • Not sure about your symptoms? Click here or scan the QR code below to download the Track It! app to help keep track of your symptoms!
       Seizure Track It! App

      Or you can click the link below to download and fill out the My Seizure Event Diary

    • Migraines or Headaches 
    • Not sure about your symptoms? Click here or scan the QR code below to download the Migraine Buddy app to help keep track of your symptoms!

      Migraine Buddy App

       

    • Incapacitating or prostrating means that the migraine is so severe you feel exhausted and weak, to the point where you need to lie down or rest for a long time until the attack is over. You CANNOT complete ANY type of task during an incapacitating or prostrating attack.

    • Nerve Injuries or Neuropathies 
    • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) 
  • Orthopedic

    shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, neck, back, knees, ankles, feet, other
    Orthopedic
    • Spine (Neck and Back) 
    • Neck

    • Back

    • Muscle guarding is when your muscles tighten up on purpose to protect an area of your body that hurts or is injured. It’s like when you hug yourself really tight if you bump your elbow—it’s your body’s way of trying to keep the hurt part safe. The muscles stay tight and don’t want to move, kind of like you're putting up a shield to keep the injury from getting worse. This can make the area feel stiff or sore, and it might be hard to move around like normal. Muscle guarding can often result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. 

      • An abnormal gait is when someone walks in a way that doesn’t look or feel quite right. It might be because something is hurting, one leg feels weak, or your body isn’t moving the way it should. So, instead of walking smoothly, you might limp, wobble, drag their feet, or take very short steps.
      • Spinal contour is the shape or curve of your spine (the bones in your back) when you look at it from the side. Normally, your spine has gentle curves that help you stand up straight and move around easily. It’s kind of like the way a slinky is curved but not too much. If the curves are too big or too small, it can make your back feel uncomfortable or hurt. So, spinal contour is just a fancy way of talking about how your spine is shaped.
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Shoulders 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Other Side

      Surgeries
    • Elbows 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Wrists and Hands 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Hips 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Other Side

      Surgeries
    • Knees 
    • What is a flare-up? Flare-ups are temporary but intense episodes of increased symptoms. For veterans with chronic conditions, such as knee problems, flare-ups can involve severe pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility. These episodes can significantly impact daily life and the ability to work, making it essential for the VA to understand their severity and frequency.

    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Other Side

      Surgeries
    • Ankles 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Other Side

      Surgeries
    • Feet 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
    • Other Side

      Surgeries
    • Other Orthopedic Condition 
    • Surgeries

      Surgeries
  • Respiratory

    Allergic Rhinitis, Asbestosis, Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Deviated Septum, Emphysema, Interstitial Lung Disease, Laryngitis, Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Restrictive Lung Diseases, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis, Sleep Apnea
    Respiratory
    • COPD, Emphysema, Interstitial Lung Disease, Laryngitis, Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Restrictive Lung Disease 
    • There are many treatments for respiratory conditions, including:

      • Antibiotics: These are used to treat bacterial infections that can cause respiratory conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
        Antivirals: These medications are used to treat viral infections such as influenza.
      • Bronchodilators: These medications help to open up the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways. They are commonly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
      • Immunotherapy: This involves injecting allergens or other substances to desensitize the immune system and reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
      • Nebulizers: A nebulizer is a medical device that is used to deliver medication in the form of a mist or aerosol directly into the lungs. It is commonly used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. Nebulizers are particularly useful for people who have difficulty using inhalers or for those who require a higher dose of medication. They are also commonly used for children who are unable to use inhalers properly.
      • Oxygen Therapy: This involves breathing in oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula to help alleviate shortness of breath and improve oxygen levels in the blood. It is commonly used to treat conditions such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
      • Steroids: Steroids are anti-inflammatory medications that are used to reduce swelling in the airways. They are commonly used to treat asthma, COPD, and other inflammatory lung conditions.
      • Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove lung tumors or repair structural abnormalities in the respiratory system.
    • Nose and Sinuses (deviated septum, asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis) 
    • Sleep Apnea 
  • Skin or Scarring

    Skin or Scarring
  • Urinary

    Bladder, Kidneys, Prostate, Urinary Tract Infection, Kidney Infection, Erectile Dysfunction
    Urinary
    • Bladder or Prostate Condition 
    • Kidneys 
    • Urinary Tract or Kidney Infection 
    • Erectile Dysfunction 
  • Vision

    Vision
  • Systemic immunosuppressants and biologic agents include Prednisone, Methylprednisolone, Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Mycophenolate Mofetil

     

    • Dry Eyes 
    • Double Vision 
    • Eye Pain 
  • Other

    Other
  • Interference with Employment

    Interference with Employment
  •  / /
    • Employed Full Time 
      • Did you lose your job or has it been harder to work because of your symptoms?
      • Have you missed time from work recently? 
      • Did you need a doctor's note?
      • Are you unable to work as much as you used to? 
      • Are you less productive at work because of your symptoms?
    • Unemployed, Retired, Part Time, Student, Self Employed 
      • What types of things do you have a hard time doing because of your condition?
      • Describe which tasks you struggle with or can no longer complete on your own. 
      • Do your symptoms affect your ability to perform activities of daily living such as bathing or grooming?
      • Have your symptoms led to strained relationships with family or friends? 
      • How have your symptoms affected your mental health? 
  • Review and Submit

    Review and Submit
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