How To Go From 60% to 100%
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs assigns disability rates based on how severely a service-connected condition limits someone’s health and function. If you have received a 60% rating, the VA has concluded that you are significantly but not fully disabled, qualifying you for a certain level of benefits.
- Going from a 60% to a 100% disability rating can help you qualify for the benefits you deserve, based on your level of impairment.
- If you filed less than a year ago, you can appeal your current rating to seek an increase to 100%.
- If you have worsened symptoms or another condition connected to your rated disability, you can file a new claim for additional benefits.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU, may be an option for those who can’t work but don’t qualify for a 100% rating.
- An experienced professional can help you understand your rights and options and file the correct paperwork for you.
Some veterans are eligible to increase their VA disability rating from 60 to 100. A 100% disability rating provides significantly higher monthly payments and access to additional benefits for the veteran and their family. Veterans Guide is here to help you understand this process.
On This Page
- What Benefits Come With a 60% VA Disability Rating?
- How To Go From 60% to 100%
- Requesting a Re-Evaluation
- Filing for Increased Disability
- Applying for Additional Service-Connected Disabilities
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
- Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings To Avoid
- Let Us Help You Go From 60% to 100%
What Benefits Come With a 60% VA Disability Rating?
A 60% VA disability rating means that your medical conditions leave you with approximately 40% of your normal capacity to work, live, and take care of yourself.
As of 2025, the VA benefits available to veterans with a 60% rating include the following:
- No co-pays for health insurance
- Free VA health care and medications
- Home loan benefits
- Educational funding benefits
- Monthly tax-free compensation
The compensation may be increased based on whether the veteran has dependent family members such as spouses, children, or parents.
| 60% Disability Benefits by Dependent Status, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Single Veteran | $1,395.93 |
| Veteran and Spouse | $1,524.05 |
| Veteran and One Child | $1,481.00 |
| Veteran and One Parent | $1,498.43 |
| Veteran, Spouse, and One Child | $1,617.33 |
| Each Additional Child Under 18 | $63.55 |
This graph is only a selection of current VA disability rates for 60% disabled veterans. A professional can provide additional explanation.
How To Go From 60% to 100%
Increasing your rating to a 100% VA disability rating can more than double your monthly payment and qualify you and your family members for additional benefits, including educational assistance for your dependents.
The basic monthly compensation rate for veterans with a 100 percent VA disability rating in 2025 is $3,831.30. Moreover, veterans with 100 percent disability ratings can also qualify for the following benefits:
- Long-term care benefits without co-pays or deductibles
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits for eligible family members after your death
- Education or training benefits for dependents and survivors
If you already have a 60% disability rating, you have a couple of options for getting an increase to a 100% rating, including filing a standard appeal or a new claim.
Requesting a Re-Evaluation
If you feel that your initial evaluation doesn’t reflect your actual level of disability and it has been less than one year since the VA determined your rating, you may request a re-evaluation. The VA refers to this process as a decision review or appeal.
The three types of appeals are:
- Supplemental claims: If you have additional evidence to strengthen your case, you can submit a supplemental claim.
- Higher-level reviews: If you don’t have new evidence but disagree with your initial appeal, you can seek a higher-level review. At this level, a senior claim reviewer not involved in the initial determination will review your claim.
- Board appeals: If you prefer to have a Veterans Law Judge review your claim, you can pursue an appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
If your symptoms have worsened or you have developed another disabling condition, you will need to use a different method.
Filing for Increased Disability
If the symptoms of your 60% rated disability have worsened, you may file a new claim for an increased rating. Expect the same process you initially navigated when you filed your initial claim.
You must do the following:
- Submit an Intent to File: This initiates your claim and allows the VA to use your submission date as the first day of benefits, if you receive approval.
- Collect medical evidence: Gather all records related to your disability, including proof that your symptoms have worsened since you received your 60% rating.
- Submit your application: Complete and submit VA Form 21-526EZ by mail, online, or in person.
Be sure to submit any additional forms or documentation you might need to strengthen your case. Working with an experienced and knowledgeable disability attorney can increase your chances of success.
Applying for Additional Service-Connected Disabilities
You may have developed a separate primary service-connected condition. Meanwhile, some service-connected disabilities cause or exacerbate other illnesses and injuries. The VA refers to these new or worsened issues as secondary conditions.
Applying for another service-connected condition or a secondary one can qualify you for higher compensation through the combined rating system. The first step is to file a new claim for your new or secondary condition, using the standard new claims process. You must submit medical evidence and documentation that your condition is service-connected or relates directly to your service-connected disability.
The standard way to submit this proof is with a nexus letter, which is a formal, written opinion from a credentialed physician. The physician will need to explain in detail how your disability is connected to your service or was caused or exacerbated by your underlying service-connected condition.
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
If you don’t qualify for a 100% rating, you may be eligible for equivalent benefits via the Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability program, or TDIU. TDIU allows veterans who don’t have a 100% rating to receive the same benefits if their service-connected conditions prevent them from working.
To be eligible for TDIU, you must meet the following criteria:
- You have a service-connected disability rated 60% or higher.
- You have multiple disabling conditions with a combined rating of 70% and at least one rated 40% or higher.
To qualify, you must prove that your condition prevents you from working. Apply for TDIU online, by phone, by fax, or in person using VA Form 21-526EZ and supplemental paperwork.
Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings To Avoid
Whether you plan to file an initial claim or appeal, it’s essential to avoid the following common mistakes and pitfalls:
- Submitting an incomplete, inaccurate, or late evaluation: Procedural errors are among the most common reasons for VA claim denials. Ensure you provide all the information the application requires, and check that it is accurate.
- Misunderstanding the rating schedule: If you have two ratings, your combined rating will not be the sum of the two. The VA employs a method known as the “whole person theory,” under which individual disabilities can never produce a combined rating higher than 100%. Thus, these calculations can be complex.
- Failing to provide sufficient evidence: Insufficient documentation is another major reason for denials. Consider asking an attorney to review your application to be sure you make a convincing case.
- Disregarding the effective date: When you submit an Intent to File, the date on the document is your filing date. If approved, you may qualify for back pay starting on that date. Neglecting to submit the form can mean losing out on months of benefits.
- Overstating your disability: Seeking an increased rating is only appropriate if your medical status warrants additional compensation.
The VA disability system exists to support veterans in need. You should only apply for additional benefits if you need them and your condition qualifies.
Let Us Help You Go From 60% to 100%
At Veterans Guide, we are committed to helping veterans get the benefits they have earned. We offer a variety of online resources, including a VA disability calculator that can help you determine your potential rating.
We also connect veterans with one-on-one services, including assistance with claims, legal support, and guidance in navigating complex application requirements. If you’re considering going from 60% to 100%, we can help determine if you qualify.
We’re also here to assist with active applications, appeals, and any other challenges related to VA claims and benefits. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
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