When you file a claim for an increased rating on a condition that is already service-connected, the purpose of the compensation and pension (C&P) exam is different from the exam you had for your original claim. Service connection has already been established, so the examiner's job is generally to evaluate the current severity and functional impact of the condition, not to re-litigate whether it is connected to service. Most Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) used for increase exams are built around current symptoms, frequency, duration, and how the condition affects work and daily activities, rather than around the specific in-service event.
That said, examiners sometimes ask about history or onset for clinical context, especially for mental health conditions where diagnostic criteria (such as those tied to PTSD) can involve some discussion of triggers or symptom patterns. You are not required to reprove the stressor or in-service event itself for an increase claim, since that was already adjudicated when service connection was granted. If an examiner strays into asking you to fully re-detail the original incident, you can redirect by saying that service connection is already established and you are there to discuss current symptoms, or you can simply state that your memory of specifics has faded with time, which is itself relevant information about how the condition has changed.
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 →It also helps to submit a written statement (VA Form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim) describing how your symptoms have worsened, since this gives the rater and examiner a clear record without requiring you to reconstruct old details verbally. Supporting evidence like current treatment records, a buddy statement about observed changes, or a private medical opinion can carry significant weight and reduce reliance on the interview alone.
Outcomes vary by examiner and by the specific diagnostic code involved, since some conditions are rated more on documented history than others, so it is reasonable to expect some variation in how much historical discussion comes up. If you are concerned about anxiety around the interview itself, you can also ask your representative or a Veterans Service Officer to attend the exam intake process with you or to help prepare a written symptom summary beforehand.
The concrete next step is to file VA Form 21-526EZ for an increased rating and, before the exam, prepare a written statement detailing how your symptoms have changed so the focus stays on current severity rather than the original in-service event.
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