07/28/2025
‼️5-10-20 Rule ‼️
The 5-10-20 rule for VA disability ratings refers to three key protections for veterans' disability benefits: the 5-year rule, the 10-year rule, and the 20-year rule. These rules protect veterans from having their disability ratings reduced or eliminated under certain conditions.
Here's a breakdown of each rule:
* 5-Year Rule:If a veteran's disability rating remains unchanged for five consecutive years, it becomes "stabilized". This means the VA cannot reduce the rating unless there is clear and convincing evidence of sustained and material improvement in the veteran's condition under normal living conditions.
* 10-Year Rule:The VA cannot terminate a veteran's service connection for a disability that has been in place for 10 years or more, unless there is evidence of fraud.
* 20-Year Rule:If a disability rating has been in place for 20 continuous years, the VA cannot reduce it below the lowest rating it held during that 20-year period, unless it was based on fraud