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In 2025, updates to VA policies and rating criteria make right now an ideal time to seek a VA rating increase.
Changes to mental health ratings, stricter guidelines for some other conditions, and potential impacts on compensation highlight the importance of acting now to secure the VA benefits you deserve.
Now is the time to secure the benefits you’ve earned—don’t wait until changes could make it harder to increase your VA rating!
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Major changes are expected to the VA rating system in 2025 which will affect VA ratings for mental health, sleep apnea, and tinnitus.
- Delaying your VA rating increase could mean missing essential benefits that support your family’s future, including educational benefits, healthcare coverage, and home loan assistance.
- You can file for a VA rating increase online for previously service-connected conditions.
Reason #1: Huge VA Rating Changes are Coming
Significant changes to the VA rating system are expected in 2025, affecting:
- Mental Health Ratings
- Sleep Apnea Ratings
- Tinnitus Ratings
Why Act Now?
If you already have a service-connected VA rating for mental health, sleep apnea, or tinnitus when the changes go into effect, you are ‘grandfathered in’ under the old rating criteria. For example, you wouldn’t lose your VA rating for tinnitus if you were already service connected when the tinnitus rating went away!
Stricter Guidelines for Sleep Apnea
The updated VA rating criteria for sleep apnea introduce stricter guidelines, making it more challenging for veterans to qualify for disability ratings and potentially leading to lower ratings in the future.
Proposed Changes to VA Ratings for Sleep Apnea
Updated Mental Health Criteria
An important update coming in 2025 is the revision of the VA’s rating criteria for mental health conditions.
Previously, conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression were rated using subjective assessments of symptoms and their impact on work and social life.
The revised criteria introduces a more objective approach, designed to simplify the process and ensure ratings accurately reflect the true severity of a veteran’s symptoms.
New VA Disability Ratings for Mental Health Conditions
Tinnitus Changes
The new rating criteria eliminates the separate standalone 10% rating for tinnitus. However, you still have time to file your VA claim before the changes take effect.
Once the changes are announced by the VA, there’s a 60-day cooling-off period before the rating changes go into effect.
2025 VA Ratings Changes for Tinnitus
Reason #2: VA Benefits Can Impact Your Family’s Future
You may miss out on vital VA benefits for your family by waiting to file for a VA rating increase.
Remember, VA disability compensation is not considered taxable income, which puts more money in your pockets, especially during uncertain economic times.
Here’s a look at additional VA benefits available to dependents of disabled veterans.
- Education benefits: Programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) help family members access tuition assistance, scholarships, housing allowances, and more.
- Home loan programs: VA-backed loans can extend to surviving spouses, making homeownership more accessible for families.
- Healthcare coverage: Through CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs), eligible dependents can receive comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Related: Best Dependent Benefits
Reason #3: Avoid Missing Out on VA Compensation
The longer you wait to file your VA claim, the more compensation you lose. Failing to update your rating when conditions worsen, or new disabilities arise can leave money on the table. Stay proactive by filing claims, appealing denials, or requesting rating increases to ensure you receive the full benefits you deserve.
Our own Brian Reese lost over $100K by not getting his VA rating sooner!
While you may be eligible for VA back pay, you still must submit your VA disability claim.
Read More: Do I Get Back Pay For a VA Disability Increase?
Reason #4: Your Symptoms are Worsening
Do you feel worse than you did when you first applied for VA disability benefits?
Many veterans don’t realize if their symptoms worsen for a condition(s) they have due to their service, they could apply and qualify for a VA rating increase.
Ignoring worsening symptoms not only impacts your quality of life but also delays access to the benefits you deserve.
Reason #5: You STOPPED Believing the Lies
Have you heard any of these 5 common reasons why many veterans don’t pursue their benefits?
LIE #1: “I didn’t serve in combat, so I don’t qualify for or deserve a VA rating.”
TRUTH: Combat experience is not a requirement for a VA rating.
LIE #2: “I don’t want to take away benefits from other veterans who need it more.”
TRUTH: VA benefits are NOT a fixed pie! Your VA rating doesn’t take away from others, and you are just as deserving as any other veteran.
LIE #3: “I waited too long and can’t file a VA claim anymore.”
TRUTH: There is NO TIME LIMIT on filing for VA Benefits. You can file and win a VA claim at any time.
LIE #4: “A VA rating will have a negative impact on my job.”
TRUTH: Employers ARE NOT legally allowed to discriminate based on a disability. In fact, a VA rating can give you a 10-point preference when applying for federal jobs.
LIE #5: “My injuries aren’t that bad, and I don’t need the money. I’m getting by OK.”
TRUTH: A VA rating comes with A LOT more than just VA monthly compensation.
How Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
If you’re wondering how to increase your VA disability rating, you’re not alone. Many veterans are navigating the journey to a higher VA rating but aren’t sure where to turn.
The simplest way to raise your VA disability rating is to file an online increase claim for conditions already service-connected at 0% or higher.
Regardless of your current VA disability rating, you can always file a new claim for direct service connection and add new conditions.
Remember, there’s no such thing as guaranteed VA disability claims; however, some claims do have higher success rates, so it’s always worth pursuing a higher VA rating.
Our post, How to File for VA Disability Increase Online, takes you step-by-step to ensure you receive the benefits and compensation you rightfully deserve.
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Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
