Voluntary Reduction/Severance (Renouncing)
Overview
Veterans who believe they don't deserve their current disability ratings may choose to renounce their benefits.
BLUF: Yes, you can voluntarily reduce your rating. No, you usually shouldn't. There are rare scenarios where it makes sense, but make sure you understand the consequences before you give anything back.
Key Constraints
All-or-Nothing Proposition: Renunciation cannot target individual conditions—it's a complete forfeiture or nothing.
Retained Benefits: Discontinuing disability compensation doesn't automatically eliminate other entitlements. Veterans maintain access to VA healthcare and clothing allowances unless specifically renounced.
Dependent Protections: Beneficiaries' educational assistance under Chapter 35 and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation remain unaffected by a veteran's renunciation decision.
The Renunciation Process
Veterans must submit a signed, written statement directly to the VA requesting renunciation of their full benefit entitlement. Critically, those with Power of Attorney (POA) may NOT submit this request on behalf of the Veteran!
Effective dates follow this timeline: the decision becomes effective on the first day of the month following the VA's receipt of the renunciation request, though processing may require several months.
Reversing the Decision
Veterans may reapply for service-connection after renouncing. However, they forfeit back-pay for the interim period and lose any rating protections previously held.
References
- 38 CFR § 3.106 - Renouncement
- M21-1, Part X, Subpart iv, Chapter 4 - Renouncements