How to Get a Service-Connected PTSD VA Disability Rating
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common service-connected mental health condition that veterans suffer from after their military service, and getting the right VA disability rating for PTSD is critical for your benefits and compensation.
But how exactly does the VA determine that rating?
What factors do they consider, and how do you ensure you’re getting the right level of disability compensation for PTSD?
I’m going to walk you through the CFR 38 rating criteria for PTSD, break down the rating levels from 0% to 100%, and provide examples at each level to give you a clearer picture of what to expect from the VA.
CFR 38 Criteria for PTSD: From 0% to 100%
PTSD is rated under 38 CFR § 4.130, using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
The VA bases its ratings on the level of occupational and social impairment caused by PTSD, as well as the frequency, severity, and during of your mental health symptoms.
These ratings are based on a range of symptoms, including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, nightmares, panic attacks, and difficulty maintaining work and social relationships.
The VA assigns ratings for PTSD at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%, depending on how severe your condition is and how much it affects your work, life, and social functioning.
Okay, let’s review each rating level and see what the VA is looking for along with examples:
0% VA Rating for PTSD
A 0% rating means that the VA acknowledges your diagnosis of PTSD, but determines that it doesn’t impair your ability to function or require ongoing treatment.
Example: A veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, but their symptoms are well-managed with occasional therapy. They experience mild symptoms, such as occasional nightmares, but these don’t significantly impact their daily life or work. While the diagnosis is recognized, the VA determines that the condition doesn’t warrant compensation at this time.
10% VA Rating for PTSD
A 10% rating is assigned when PTSD causes mild or transient symptoms that only affect you during periods of significant stress, or your symptoms are controlled by continuous medication.
Example: A veteran experiences occasional panic attacks and anxiety when under stress, but they are able to manage these symptoms with prescribed medication. Their symptoms don’t interfere with their ability to maintain relationships or hold down a job. The VA gives them a 10% rating because the condition requires minimal treatment and has a minor impact on their daily life.
30% VA Rating for PTSD
At 30%, PTSD results in an occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although you are generally able to function satisfactorily.
Example: A veteran struggles with sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety, particularly in high-stress environments. They are able to hold down a job but occasionally miss work due to their symptoms. While they can generally perform well, their PTSD causes some difficulties, such as irritability and difficulty concentrating. The VA assigns a 30% rating due to the moderate impact on their work and social life.
50% VA Rating for PTSD
A 50% rating indicates reduced reliability and productivity due to PTSD symptoms, such as frequent panic attacks, difficulty understanding complex commands, memory issues, and difficulty maintaining relationships.
Example: A veteran has frequent panic attacks that disrupt their work performance and social life. They experience significant difficulty focusing on tasks and struggle to maintain friendships and close relationships. Despite trying therapy and medication, they still have trouble coping with the daily demands of work and personal life. The VA assigns a 50% rating because the condition is moderately severe and causes a noticeable decline in functionality.
70% VA Rating for PTSD
A 70% rating is reserved for veterans whose PTSD causes occupational and social impairment in most areas, such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking, or mood. Symptoms might include near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain relationships. Note: a 70% rating is the most common rating assigned to veterans with service-connected PTSD, making it a high-value VA claim.
Example: A veteran experiences severe anxiety and depression, leading to frequent outbursts and isolation. They have trouble keeping a job due to their inability to focus and their extreme irritability around coworkers. Socially, they are withdrawn and avoid contact with family and friends. The VA assigns a 70% rating because the veteran is severely impaired in both social and occupational settings.
100% VA Rating for PTSD
A 100% rating is the highest possible and is given when PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment. This might include symptoms like persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting oneself or others, disorientation to time or place, and significant memory loss.
Example: A veteran is generally unable to work or maintain any relationships due to extreme symptoms of PTSD. They experience frequent hallucinations, disorientation, and are unable to care for themselves. They require constant supervision and support from caregivers, as they are a danger to themselves and possibly others. The VA assigns a 100% rating because the condition completely disables the veteran from functioning in any meaningful capacity.
How Does the VA Determine My Final VA Rating for PTSD?
The VA assigns a PTSD rating based on a detailed evaluation of your symptoms and their effect on your daily life, particularly focusing on your ability to function in work and social situations.
Here’s how the 4-step process works:
#1. PTSD Diagnosis
To qualify for a PTSD VA claim, you must have a current diagnosis of PTSD that aligns with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. This diagnosis must be provided by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. During your Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for PTSD, the examiner will confirm or establish your PTSD diagnosis.
#2. In-Service Stressor Event
You must demonstrate a connection between your PTSD and a specific in-service stressor event. This can be supported by military records, personal statements, or corroborative evidence from others. The VA Form 21–0781 helps in documenting your PTSD-related stressor event.
#3. Nexus (Link or Connection Between Your In-Service Stressor Event and Your PTSD Diagnosis)
There must be a clear link, or “nexus,” between your in-service stressor and your PTSD. This is typically established through medical evidence, such as statements from healthcare providers explicitly linking your PTSD to your military service. If you’ve been separated from the military for more than 12 months, it’s highly recommended to get an independent psychological evaluation before submitting your PTSD claim.
#4. Severity of Symptoms and Occupational and Social Impairment
The VA then assigns your PTSD rating based on the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms and how they impact your occupational and social functioning. The Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for PTSD outlines 31 mental health symptoms used to assess your condition, such as:
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Suspiciousness
- Panic attacks that occur weekly or less often
- Panic attacks more than once a week
- Near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively
- Chronic sleep impairment
- Mild memory loss, such as forgetting names, directions, or recent events
- Impairment of short and long-term memory, for example, retention of only highly learned material, while forgetting to complete tasks
- Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name
- Flattened affect
- Circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech
- Speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant
- Difficulty in understanding complex commands
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired abstract thinking
- Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
- Disturbances of motivation and mood
- Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships
- Difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a work-like setting
- Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships
- Suicidal ideation
- Obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities
- Impaired impulse control, such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence
- Spatial disorientation
- Persistent delusions or hallucinations
- Grossly inappropriate behavior
- Persistent danger of hurting self or others
- Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene
- Intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene
- Disorientation to time or place
Pro Tips and Strategies for Getting the Right PTSD VA Rating
Here’s some pro tips and strategies to maximize your VA PTSD rating:
#1. Get an Independent Psychological Evaluation and Mental Health Independent Medical Opinion (IMO)
One of the best ways to strengthen your PTSD claim is to get an Independent Psychological Evaluation from a qualified mental health professional outside the VA. This evaluation provides a second opinion on your condition and helps to validate the severity of your symptoms.
A Mental Health Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) is also crucial because it provides a clear connection (or “nexus”) between your PTSD and your military service. IMOs can often highlight key medical evidence that may be overlooked or underemphasized by VA examiners during your C&P exam. This helps ensure that the VA gives proper weight to your PTSD symptoms, increasing the likelihood of a fair rating.
#2. Document and Verify Your PTSD Stressor Event
A crucial part of your PTSD claim is proving that your condition is connected to an in-service stressor event. Thorough documentation is essential here. Make sure your stressor event is well-documented in your military service records or through corroborating statements from fellow service members (buddy letters).
If official documentation isn’t available, personal statements, buddy letters, or other evidence such as photos or reports can help verify your stressor event. Without clear evidence linking your PTSD to service, it will be much more difficult to secure a favorable rating.
#3. Complete and Submit the New VA Form 21-0781
The new VA Form 21-0781 is specifically designed for veterans filing for PTSD and is used to document your stressor event(s). Completing this form thoroughly and accurately is critical in establishing the in-service event that caused or contributed to your PTSD.
Make sure to provide as much detail as possible about the incident, including dates, locations, people involved, and how the event affected you. The more specific you can be, the better chance you have of proving that your PTSD is service-connected.
#4. Write a Personal Statement in Support of a Claim for PTSD
Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell your story in your own words. This statement should outline how PTSD affects your daily life, relationships, work, and overall mental health. Be specific about the symptoms you experience and how they impact your ability to function, such as:
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Social withdrawal
- Panic attacks or anxiety
Writing a detailed personal statement helps the VA understand the real-world impact of your PTSD, beyond what medical records and exams show. It’s also a good idea to include examples of how your PTSD symptoms have affected your work and social life.
Final Thoughts
Getting the right VA rating for PTSD can have a huge impact on your life.
The VA uses the subjective guidelines under 38 CFR § 4.130 to evaluate your PTSD, but with the right documentation and approach, you can make sure you’re getting the compensation you deserve.
Generally, the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating you’ll get for PTSD, but it’s on you to prove it.
Remember, it’s not just about the severity of your symptoms — it’s about how those symptoms impact your ability to live and work.
About the Author
Brian Reese is one of the world’s leading VA disability benefits experts and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Frustrated with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans win their VA disability compensation faster. He has served over 10 million military members and veterans since 2013. A former Air Force officer, Brian deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, where he was a National Honor Scholar.
