Care when submitting a new claim.
I have numerous illnesses that can be related to my time in the Gulf. But, like many Vets who already have a disability rating, it is a crap shoot to submit these new found disabilities. The VA will open your entire file and may lower existing ratings while considering the new claims. I am, and have been 100% 'IU' (Individual Unemployable' for nearly a decade now. Although my current conditions worsen and the prescence of new conditions persist, I dare not complain nor submit the new claims. I was also a former Service Officer for one of the Nationally known VSO's. They are taking this same stand. The VA many times (depending on the rater) lower your ratings. The VA needs to protect the Veterans better then their old 5, 10, and 20 year rules on disability ratings. Veterans should be able to submit for increased claims or new claims without the VA reassessing the Veterans current disability ratings.