Open your claim for VA benefits by submitting a claim with the VA. Your claim should include every condition you wish to have considered for a service connection, and all supporting evidence necessary to prove both the service connection and to support the Disability Rating requirements.
Once your claim for benefits has been received, the VA will request and review additional evidence from you, your healthcare providers, government agencies, and others. The Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) will review the evidence and make a decision.
The VA will then issue a Rating Decision. The VA can either deny or grant your claim at this stage. If your claim is granted, you will receive a disability rating with an effective date. This is the date you can start receiving disability benefits. It is typically the date your claim was received.
If you disagree with the VA benefits claim decision or believe you should have received a higher disability rating, you can file a Supplemental Claim, request a Higher Level Review, or file a Board Appeal. We recommend that you seek experienced legal counsel when filing your appeal.
If your claim for VA disability benefits was denied, a VA disability benefits attorney can help you receive a higher disability rating, gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim, and tailor an argument on your behalf to the decision-maker or judge.
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