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Today, we’ll discuss the 4 best ways to get a copy of your VA Rating Decision Letter, to include why it’s the #1 most important document you’ll receive from the VA.
Issuance of a VA Disability Rating Decision Letter is the final step in the VA claim process—it includes the VA’s final rating decision and analysis (approval, denial, deferral) as well as WHY and HOW the VA Rater and C&P examiner arrived at their opinions and conclusions.
It is critical to review your VA Disability Rating Letter in-detail, especially the section headers marked “Evidence” and “Reasons for Decision.”
Why?
Because if you disagree with some or all the VA’s decision, you need to know specific areas of evidence reviewed or not reviewed to include the C&P examiner’s opinion or any flawed logic applied by the VA Rater so you can file an appeal (Higher Level Review or Supplemental Claim).
Okay, let’s dive-in.
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VA Disability Rating Letter: What is a VA Rating Decision Letter?
A VA Rating Decision Letter is a document prepared by the VA Rater that formally explains the VA’s rationale for approving, denying, or deferring your VA disability claim.
Your VA Disability Rating Decision Letter includes the VA’s final rating decision and analysis as well as WHY and HOW the VA Rater and C&P examiner arrived at their opinions and conclusions for your VA claim.
The final document will be physically mailed to the home address listed in your VA.gov account.
How Do I Read My VA Disability Rating Decision Letter?
There are five distinct sections in all VA Rating Decision Letters:
Section 1: INTRODUCTION
This section lists your branch of service and dates of active duty from your DD 214.
It also lists the date the VA says it received your VA disability claim.
Make sure this information is correct!
Section 2: DECISION
This section lists the individual disabilities you filed for as well as the VA Raters high-level decision regarding service connection and the disability rating he/she assigned for each condition.
It’s essentially the “Bottom Line Up Front” rating decision made by the VA Rater.
Section 3: EVIDENCE
This section is very important because it lists all the evidence reviewed and considered by the VA Rater.
Make sure all the evidence you submitted is correct and listed in this section.
While VA Raters are supposed to consider all the evidence of record (everything in your VA Claims File), many review and rate claims by “Top Sheeting” as a way to save time.
“Top Sheeting” occurs when a VA Rater only reviews new evidence submitted since your last VA Rating Decision.
One common rating decision error made in this section is only considering some (not all) of the evidence submitted with your claim.
For example, maybe the VA Rater didn’t receive, review, or consider your Nexus Letter, Statement in Support of a Claim, or Buddy Letter before making his/her rating decision.
If this happens, you should appeal using the Higher Level Review or Supplemental Claim option.
Section 4: REASONS FOR DECISION
This section is the most important part of your VA Disability Rating Decision Letter because it explains the VA Rater and C&P examiner’s analysis and rationale behind their final rating decision.
It also lists any favorable findings even if the VA denied your claim.
Read this section carefully!
Common VA rating decision errors include:
- Only considering some, not all, of the evidence submitted with your claim.
- Discounting the “probative value” of a private doctors Nexus Letter versus the C&P examiners medical opinion (siding with the C&P examiner over your private doctor).
- Accepting the C&P examiner’s medical opinion as fact based on an inadequate exam or incomplete DBQ.
- Making an illogical “less likely than not” decision for direct service connection, secondary service connection, or service connection by aggravation and denying the claim.
- Not addressing “how” the disability was aggravated by military service beyond its natural progression or by another service connected disability when the Nexus Letter or evidence provided proves it on at “at least as likely as not” basis.
- Having the C&P examiner provide a negative medical opinion using the words “without resorting to mere speculation” when you have submitted a privately prepared Nexus Letter or other credible medical evidence, which did provide a link for service connection.
Section 5: REFERENCES
The last section includes a standard statement that Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities governs entitlement to VA benefits.
How Do I Get a Copy of VA Rating Decision Letter?
Here’s the top 4 ways to get a copy of your VA Rating Decision Letter:
- #1. Call 1-800-827-1000 and ask a VA representative to send your letter via U.S. mail or via email (if 14 days has passed since the Decision Letter was originally mailed).
- #2. Ask your Accredited VSO to download a copy of your VA Rating Decision Letter from the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS).
- #3. Write a letter to the VBA Regional Office in your state requesting a copy of your VA Rating Decision Letter. They will send you a copy of your letter via U.S. mail.
- #4. Submit a VA FOIA Request via email for a complete copy of your VA C File. Your VA C File will contain all the VA Rating Decision Letters ever issued.
Can I See My VA Decision Letter Online?
No, you can’t see or download a copy of your VA Rating Decision Letter online.
However, you can login to your VA.gov account, and click “View Your VA Rating Disability Rating” to see if you were service connected and granted a VA rating or an increase.
You can also view your VA Benefits Summary and Service Verification letter online at VA.gov.
This document will show your combined VA disability rating, whether you’re permanently and totally disabled, and if you’re receiving Special Monthly Compensation.
This is useful to check if your VA claim closed and you’re wondering if you got a rating increase.
Where Can I Find a VA Rating Decision Letter Sample?
Click the link below to download a real VA Rating Decision Letter sample.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
