Yes, it is possible. When you file a claim for an increase, the VA does not simply look at whether your condition feels worse — it orders a new examination and reviews your entire file against the specific rating criteria in 38 CFR Part 4 for that diagnostic code. If the new evidence shows you no longer meet the criteria for your current rating, the VA can propose a reduction, even though you only asked for an increase. This is because a claim for increase reopens the entire rating for that condition, not just the possibility of a higher percentage.
Each diagnostic code has specific, objective criteria — for example, range-of-motion measurements for musculoskeletal conditions, specific symptoms or frequency of flare-ups, or particular test results. Subjective complaints like "it hurts more" or "it hurts when I do a specific activity" are not, by themselves, the legal standard. If your current evidence (imaging, exam findings, ROM measurements) actually shows improvement compared to what earned you the higher rating, that improvement can support a reduction, especially if you have not had that rating for five years or more.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →There are some protections. Under 38 CFR 3.344, ratings in effect for five years or longer ("stabilized ratings") get extra scrutiny before a reduction — the VA must show sustained improvement under ordinary life conditions, not just a single exam snapshot. Ratings in effect for less time do not get this extra protection, and a single unfavorable exam can be enough to support a reduction if the criteria are no longer met.
Before filing for an increase, it helps to actually read the rating criteria for your specific diagnostic code and compare it honestly to your current symptoms and test results, rather than filing based on a general sense that things have gotten worse. If your rating has been stable for years and you're unsure whether new evidence might work against you, it can help to review your last exam findings and any new records with a accredited VSO or claims agent before submitting.
Before filing, request and review your last C&P exam report and any current treatment records, and compare them line by line against the CFR criteria for your diagnostic code to gauge whether the evidence actually supports a higher rating or could instead support a reduction.
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