TL;DR
Ratings in effect 5+ years can only be reduced if VA proves "material improvement" under ordinary conditions of life. Burden shifts to VA. Stable evidence becomes a safety net.
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The 5-year rule
If you have a rating that has been in effect for 5 years or more, VA cannot reduce it unless there is evidence of “material improvement” under the ordinary conditions of life. The burden shifts to VA to prove the improvement, not the other way around. This makes reduction much harder after 5 years.
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