Yes. Once a condition is granted service connection, that connection does not expire, even if the current rating is 0%. A 0% (noncompensable) rating simply means that, at the time of the decision, the condition did not meet the schedular criteria under 38 CFR Part 4 for a compensable evaluation. The service-connection determination itself stands unless VA finds clear and unmistakable error or specifically severs it, which is rare and requires due process. This means you do not have to prove nexus (that the condition began in or was caused by service) again when the condition worsens.
To seek a higher rating, you file a claim for increase, most commonly using VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim) with new and relevant evidence, such as updated medical records, a nexus or worsening statement from a provider, or a Disability Benefits Questionnaire. You can also file a fully developed claim or request a new VA examination. VA will re-evaluate the condition under the current rating criteria for that body system, and the effective date of any increase is generally the date the increase in severity is factually shown, which can sometimes be up to one year prior to the claim date if the evidence supports it, per 38 CFR 3.400.
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 |
Does your rating decision hold up under a real audit?
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Analyze my claim free →Documentation matters. Keep records of flare-ups, treatment, missed work, and how the condition limits daily functioning, since rating criteria often hinge on frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms rather than diagnosis alone.
It's worth noting that outcomes for increased-rating claims vary significantly. Among appealed increased-rating decisions in VetAid's library, a majority were vacated or remanded on appeal rather than outright affirmed or reversed, meaning many cases get sent back for further development rather than resolved immediately, and this reflects appealed cases specifically, not the odds of success on an initial claim.
If you have a 0% rated condition that has worsened, the concrete next step is to get a current medical evaluation documenting your symptoms and their functional impact, then file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) with that evidence attached.
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