Should veterans place the percentage desire as part of the initial claim or let the VA decide?

[JFizzle]

Should veterans place the percentage desired as part of an initial claim or let the VA decide? Does specifying the claim to a percentage completey deny the claim if the criteria for the percentage request is not deemed a match? Even if it matches at a lower percentage? Just curious to know if there is any success with that approach?

[Gastone]

JF, as is sometimes the case, it seems some of us missed the part of your original question, "Initial Claim."

Unless the VA SC Claim (paper or E-File) has changed, there really isn't a section for you to ask for a specific SC % Rating. If in your opinion, your Medical Evidence is somewhat vague or less than strongly supportive, completing a VA 21-???? "Statement in Support of Claim" may be beneficial.