I currently am rated at 30% for thyroid disease and 50% for Panic Disorder with OCD. In Oct 07 I applied for an increase in rating due to the fact that I am no longer able to drive a vehicle due to the panic attacks. Today I called for a status on my claim and I was told that it is currently being rated. What does that mean? Can someone tell me what happens during the rating process? Does this mean that my increase has been approved?

Rating Specialists review the medical records, the C&P exam and compare it to a standard of rating. Based on that they make a decision and document it in a report that you will receive. It means that all the stuff needed to go to the rating specialist has been gather.

No it does not mean you have been approved or disapproved. If a decision has been made I believe they will say that they are writing their report, or you should expect a letter in a number of days.

To expand a little further on what Dave had to say, The rating board is or will be looking at your claim and any additional information that may have filed with your request. It may mean submitting to another examination as well, if the VA thinks it is needed. You filed for an increase in Oct. '07. This is not an inordinate amount of time all things considered. You didn't say if this was an appeal of the original assigned rating or rather a new request for a rating increase at a later time. Charlie S.

Reading some of the history behind your claim, the postings etc., The fact that you applied for an increase due to your inability to drive a car due to "Panic Attacks"
I sincerely hope you were able to document your panic attacks extremely well. For if Your claim to the VA is that basic. "Unable to drive vehicle due to panic attacks" is not the best argument I have seen in my time. In fact it isn't an argument in the sense that Driving a Car is not a life requirement at all, so I don't see a nexus between Panic Attacks and Driving. This is one of the reasons I cannot state enough to all veterans I come into contact with or assist in their claims to read Title 38USC as it pertains to you, the CFR as it pertains to everything about you, The M-21 Manual; as amended, The VA Rating disability process and decisions rendered by the Court of Veteran Appeals. In essence, educate oneself, educate, read, write down points as it pertains to you, and see where you are, then scratch some points out because you're advancing your case, then see where you find yourself. I wish you the best of course, and just curious, are you doing this yourself or have someone helping you.
A Veteran In Arms
Freddy

Freddy is right. Understanding why they will award a claim is very important. There are a number of things that we say are 'broken', but they are not disabling from the standard that they do not affect a major life function.

A very important issue is that not trying to get competent treatment for a problem is not a good reason for a disability. If you receive proper treatment and can not function because of the disability, then you should be able to receive compensation. As Freddy stated, not being able to drive a car is not going to win. No being able to leave home, ride on public transit or in a car might.