When applying for disability compensation through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, each veteran will receive a rating decision. When you receive this rating, you will also receive a packet of information outlining the VA disability claims decision.
However, these packets are often missing a key resource: the VA rating code sheet. This sheet can help you understand your disability rating and service connection decision even better.
What’s In the VA Rating Code Sheet?
One of the most valuable aspects of your VA rating code sheet is that it tells you whether any of your service-connected conditions are marked for Routine Future Examinations (RFEs). These reviews are the VA’s way of checking to see if your condition has improved enough to justify reducing your rating.
But not every condition will go through this process. If your code sheet shows a condition labeled as “static,” that’s the VA’s way of saying it’s considered permanent and unlikely to improve. That’s good news because it usually means you won’t be asked to attend follow-up exams or face surprise rating changes.
Beyond that, the code sheet gives a historical look at your rating decisions. It will reflect whether bilateral factors have been applied (which affect conditions on both sides of the body), outline Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) eligibility, and show how your ratings have changed over time. This helps you understand exactly how the VA has calculated your total rating and what they may have missed.
Every time the VA issues a rating decision on veterans claims, there will always be an accompanying rating code sheet. This will not be provided to you but you can request it from the VA. Once you get the rating code sheet, study it, review it, and treat it as the precious document it is.
It will allow you to have a better understanding of what is going on with your claims – and maybe also clarify the VA ratings and compensation process, which as we all know can be confusing (we recommend our free book or its ebook version to help you through it).
The Rating Code Sheet Includes:
- The name of the veteran’s attorney or representative on file with the VA, if any (i.e. the Power of Attorney/POA)
- The VA File Number
- The dates of military service on file with the VA (including character of discharge)
- The dates the VA believes the current claims were filed
- A list with the exact names of every medical condition for which the veteran is service-connected
- A list of the current ratings for each service-connected condition, along with the effective dates for each rating
- A list of the past ratings for each service-connected condition, along with accompanying effective dates for each of the past ratings
- If the veteran is receiving non-service connected pension, all of the conditions that are considered disabling for pension purposes will be listed, along with accompanying ratings as assigned by the VA to reflect the severity of each condition
- A statement as to the veteran’s current and past combined/overall rating percentages per the VA’s “special math” (including the bilateral factor and special monthly compensation, if applicable)
- A list of the medical diagnostic codes that were used to rate any service-connected disabilities
- A list of prior claims that have been filed at some point in the past, but denied
VA Code Sheet Explanation from a Disability Attorney
Attorney Allison Reddick talks through the rating code sheet with a copy of one put up right next to it. The following video will talk you through how to read this confusing VA Document.
If you were denied or underrated by the VA, our attorneys may be able to help. Get a free evaluation of your claim today.
Free case evaluationHow Do I Get My VA Rating Code Sheet?
The rating code sheet is part of your VA Claims File, also known as your C-file. If you want to get a copy, you’ll need to request your C-file directly from the VA. Here’s how:
- You can submit a Privacy Act request to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- You can also request your file through an attorney, agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO). See our article on how to request your C-file.
What Should I Do with the VA Rating Code Sheet?
Once you get your code sheet, look it over carefully. Make sure every condition listed is correct and that the ratings match what you know about your case.
It’s smart to keep your code sheet in the same place you keep your DD214, your VA rating decision letters, and any important legal or medical records.
Reading your code sheet can help you better understand how the VA sees your claims, what benefits you’re currently getting, and what issues may need to be corrected.
VA Errors the Rating Code Sheet Can Help Uncover
The VA Rating Code Sheet can help uncover serious problems in how your claim was processed. Below are common errors you might find:
1. Wrong Effective Dates
The code sheet lists the start date of each condition’s rating. If the VA picked the wrong date, you might be owed back pay.
2. Incorrect Diagnostic Codes (DCs)
Each condition has a VA code. If the wrong one is used, your rating could be too low. Some codes are outdated or don’t match your exact condition.
3. Bilateral Factor Mistakes
If you have conditions in both arms or both legs, a “bilateral factor” should increase your overall rating. Sometimes, the VA forgets to apply this.
4. TDIU Eligibility Overlooked
If your combined rating qualifies you for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), the VA should have considered it. The code sheet shows if they missed that step.
5. Missing Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Special Monthly Compensation is extra pay for certain severe conditions like loss of use of a limb or being housebound. Your code sheet will show if you should be getting SMC but aren’t.
6. Combined Rating Calculation Errors
The VA uses a “whole person” method, not simple math. If they calculated wrong, your final rating might be too low. Use this VA disability calculator to estimate your combined rating.
7. Overlooked Secondary Conditions
Conditions caused by service-connected ones should be listed too. Example: depression from chronic pain. If it’s not on your code sheet, the VA might have missed it.
8. Wrong Service Connection Status
The sheet tells you whether a condition is service-connected or not. Sometimes, conditions that were granted are marked incorrectly.
9. Missed Ancillary Benefits
The sheet may reveal other benefits you qualify for, like:
- Chapter 35 Dependents Education Assistance
- Housing or car grants
- Concurrent military retirement pay and VA pay
10. Incorrect Period Assignments and Staged Ratings
Some conditions worsen or improve over time and deserve “staged ratings”, which are different ratings of the same disability assigned for different periods of time based on how the severity of the condition varies. If the sheet doesn’t show changes, you may be missing increases.
If your VA code sheet shows signs of any of these errors, don’t wait. Hill & Ponton focuses on helping veterans appeal these kinds of mistakes. Our team understands how the VA rating system works and knows how to fight for the benefits you deserve.
Let us help you make sense of the code sheet and fix what the VA got wrong. Get your free case evaluation today.
Content Reviewed by
Jacqueline Imboden, Sr. Claims Advocate
Jacqueline Imboden joined Hill & Ponton in March 2025, bringing over two decades of experience from the VA, where she led projects related to disability benefit programs, including addressing issues of military exposures. As a military spouse with an extensive background in Veterans Affairs, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Executive Leadership, she has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families.
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