If I have another surgery, will my percent rating go up?

Remembering Jim

Jim Strickland was a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA disability benefits who was also editor and webmaster of the popular VA Watchdog website. Jim wrote extensively about VA and Social Security disability benefits. Before his recent passing, Jim was kind enough to answer questions from visitors on StatesideLegal.org here in Jim's Mailbag. This page is dedicated to Jim and to his efforts to assist every veteran who called upon him.

About Jim's Mailbag

Jim's Mailbag is a regular column where veterans, servicemembers, and family members can find answers about their VA and Social Security disability benefits. Although we are not accepting new questions at this time, you can browse all of the previous Q&As and search Jim's Mailbag for helpful answers to your specific VA issue.

Question

I am 20% for Hernia if I was to have to have another surgery will it bring my rating up?

Jim's Reply

If you have surgery for a service connected condition, the rate will usually rise to 100% while you recuperate. Then there will be a C & P exam and your rating will be determined just as before, by symptoms that you experience after the surgery. If the surgery is a success, your rating could fall to 0% service connected or if not, it could rise dramatically. We won't know until after you have the surgery and are recuperated.