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Voluntary Reduction/Severance

For those who feel they do not deserve their current ratings or disability benefits you can elect to forgo these benefits.

In this context, forgo means that you will STOP getting any and all benefits associated with having service-connection!

You CANNOT forgo a singular condition, it is an ALL OR NONE situation!

AUTHOR NOTES:

  • If you do genuinely feel guilty for having a high rating. Know that so long as you did not commit fraud, you have nothing to feel guilty about! But if you don't feel like you deserve the money, consider donating it to a cause you care about. I imagine you could better put the money to use than the federal government.

  • While you technically can't request a reduction. If you file for an increase and the VA determines your severity has decreased, the VA may reduce you if appropriate.

    • Do know you are under no obligation legal or otherwise to report any improvement in your conditions. Not doing so, is NOT fraud. This is particularly true when you consider it is completely normal for conditions to improve and worsen over time; and it takes so many months for the VA to process claims.

Renouncing

Submit a written statement to the VA that you would like to renounce the full amount of entitlement of your VA disability compensation.

This statement MUST be signed by the Veteran.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Those with Power of Attorney (POA) may NOT submit this request on behalf of the Veteran!

I Was only KIDDING VA!

So you decided that you actually do not want to revoke your benefits?

You are allowed to file for service-connection again! Generally, you shouldn't have much trouble getting service-connection back. Unless it was granted in error originally.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • If granted service connection again you are NOT entitled to monies or benefits for the time between your initiating your claim and when the VA received your request to revoke your disability benefits!

  • You also forfeit any Rating protections you may have had. The clock will reset!

Frequently Asked Questions

    • No, your election to end your benefits does not impact your dependents eligibility for DEA.

References