What this means
m21-1:II.iii.2.C explains claims for increase. In plain terms, the official guidance says per 38 CFR 3.1(p)(1), a claim for increase is a type of initial claim that requests an increase in a disability evaluation or rate of a benefit being paid based on a change or worsening in condition or circumstance since the last decision issued by the VA for the benefit. It also addresses a claim for an increased evaluation in an SC disability must be filed on VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, or other prescribed form appropriate to the specific type of increased compensation sought.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:II.iii.2.C to audit how VA handled claims for increase. Start with the decision date, the issue being reviewed, and the evidence VA was allowed to consider, then compare the record with this rule: Per 38 CFR 3.1(p)(1), a claim for increase is a type of initial claim that requests an increase in a disability evaluation or rate of a benefit being paid based on a change or worsening in condition or circumstance since the last decision issued by the VA for the benefit. A claim for an increased evaluation in an SC disability must be filed on VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, or other prescribed form appropriate to the specific type of increased compensation sought. Cite the exact document and page when raising a factual or procedural error, and use the review rights in the actual notice for any deadline.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: A claim for an increased evaluation in an SC disability must be filed on VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, or other prescribed form appropriate to the specific type of increased compensation sought.
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: Refer any claim for increase in the level of disability to the rating activity for action after completing any necessary development actions.
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: when to order an examination in a claim for increased evaluation, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 1.B.1.h.
Important limits
m21-1:II.iii.2.C explains VA guidance for claims for increase; it does not guarantee an award or replace the statutes, regulations, binding decisions, and review instructions that control an individual claim. Conditions and exceptions still matter, including this source point: Per 38 CFR 3.1(p)(1), a claim for increase is a type of initial claim that requests an increase in a disability evaluation or rate of a benefit being paid based on a change or worsening in condition or circumstance since the last decision issued by the VA for the benefit. Under 38 CFR 3.2500(a)(2), claimants can request a review of a decision issued on a claim at any time after VA issues notice of a decision.
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Claims for Increase
- m21-1:II.iii.2.C
- Claims Increase
- Identification Claims Increase
- definition claim increase
- types claims increase
- prescribed form claim increased
- II.iii.2.C.1.a. Definition Claim Increase
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the following topics:
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Topic | Topic Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identification of Claims for Increase |
| 2 | Policies for Claims for Increase |
| 3 | Interpreting Submissions for Increased Compensation |
1. Identification of Claims for Increase
Introduction
This topic contains information about claims for increase, including
- definition of a claim for increase
- types of claims for increase, and
- prescribed form for a claim for increased compensation.
Change Date
January 24, 2022
II.iii.2.C.1.a. Definition: Claim for Increase
Per 38 CFR 3.1(p)(1), a claim for increase is a type of initial claim that requests an increase in a disability evaluation or rate of a benefit being paid based on a change or worsening in condition or circumstance since the last decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the benefit.
Important: Under 38 CFR 3.2500, a claimant may also submit a request for review of a prior evaluation or rate being paid. Any request filed on the appropriate form under these review options should be handled under the specific lane of review selected by the claimant, and not under the claim for increase provisions.
Reference: For more information on handling submissions for increased compensation, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.C.3.
II.iii.2.C.1.b. Types of Claims for Increase
Claims for increase may include, but are not limited to, claims for
- increased service-connected (SC) compensation including
- increased disability evaluation
- individual unemployability (IU), and
- entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC)
- an increased rate of benefits due to the addition of a dependent, and
- increased non-service-connected (NSC) pension including a claim
- showing either a reduction of, or a deduction from, income, and
- for entitlement to special monthly pension (SMP).
References: For more information on
- distinguishing a claim for increase from a supplemental claim, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.C.3, and
- the relationship between a claim for IU and the associated SC disabilities, see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iv, 3.B.1.e.
II.iii.2.C.1.c. Prescribed Form for a Claim for Increased Compensation
A claim for an increased evaluation in an SC disability must be filed on VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits, or other prescribed form appropriate to the specific type of increased compensation sought.
Reference: For more information on prescribed forms, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.A.
2. Policies for Claims for Increase
Introduction
This topic contains policies for claims for increase, including
- responsibilities of the rating activity, and
- claims for increase in the level of disability.
Change Date
January 28, 2016
II.iii.2.C.2.a. Responsibilities of the Rating Activity
The rating activity is responsible for evaluating disabilities under the applicable laws and rating schedule, including statutory benefits such as
- loss or loss of use of various body organs or parts
- SMP, other than aid and attendance (A&A) awarded to patients in nursing homes, and
- SMC.
II.iii.2.C.2.b. Claims for Increase in the Level of Disability
Refer any claim for increase in the level of disability to the rating activity for action after completing any necessary development actions.
References: For information on
- requesting records, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.C, and
- when to order an examination in a claim for increased evaluation, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 1.B.1.h.
3. Interpreting Submissions for Increased Compensation
Introduction
This topic contains procedures for interpreting submissions for increased compensation, including
- distinguishing claims for increase from requests for decision review, and
- screening submissions for increased compensation.
Change Date
August 28, 2025
II.iii.2.C.3.a. Distinguishing Claims for Increase From Requests for Decision Review
Under 38 CFR 3.2500(a)(2), claimants can request a review of a decision issued on a claim at any time after VA issues notice of a decision. Therefore, screen all submissions regarding evaluation issues to determine the intent of the claimant. The form used by the claimant will determine whether the submission should be handled as a
- claim for increase, or
- decision review request under 38 CFR 3.2500.
Note: In cases where the claimant’s intent is unclear, attempt to clarify the claim by following the procedures in M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.1.c.
II.iii.2.C.3.b. Screening Submissions for Increased Compensation
Screen all submissions for increased compensation based on the table below.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| If the claimant submits... | Then handle the submission as a... |
|---|---|
| VA Form 21-526EZ, or other prescribed form for the increased benefit sought | claim for increase. |
| VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim | supplemental claim. |
| evidence regarding an evaluation issue without a prescribed claim form | request for application per M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.G. |
References: For more information on
- prescribed forms, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.A
- supplemental claims, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 2.B, and
- effective dates for
- claims for increase, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 4.A.5, and
- supplemental claims, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 2.A.3.