How to read your VA decision letter

Your VA rating decision letter is the official answer to your claim. Here's what each part means.

What it tells you

• For each claimed condition: whether it's service-connected and the percentage assigned.
• Your combined rating and monthly payment.
• The effective date (when it starts, which drives your back pay).
• The "Reasons for Decision" section: what evidence VA used and why.

Watch for

• 0% = service-connected but non-compensable. Still valuable; it can support secondary claims and future increases.
• "Permanent and Total" or "no future exams" unlocks extra benefits. More on P&T →
• A benefit/summary letter shows only your combined rating; the rating decision lists each condition.

If a condition was denied or lowballed

You don't have to accept it. You have three appeal lanes. Read the reasons, then add new evidence (Supplemental Claim) or point out an error (Higher-Level Review).