Was I wrong to ask for a specific rating on appeal?

[Airman]

My appeal has been certified to the BVA.  As a matter of clarification of benefit sought on appeal, I submitted a statement seeking entitlement to a specific ratiing (60 percent) rather than the standard "a rating greater than".  Was that a mistake?  If the BVA denies the 60% requested will they award a rating that I meet the critera for or will they just deny the 60% without any additional or supplemental award - because I specifically requested 60%?  

[jlrith]

You are not wrong to claim a specific rating.

For all my disabilities I have ensured that I understand the regulations and the symptoms of my disability well enough to specify the rating.  For me, it allows for a better argument, since I can articulate exactly why the rating is appropriate, and I feel it also focuses the rater as to the appropriate disability rating.

 

Ultimately the VA will (when they do it as they are supposed to) match your symptoms against a disability rating in the regulations, regardless of what you ask for.