This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- PTSD is the most commonly claimed mental health condition among veterans.
- Rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9411).
- PTSD cannot be rated separately alongside other mental health conditions under the same rating formula due to pyramiding rules.
- Military sexual trauma (MST) claims have relaxed evidentiary standards for establishing the stressor event.
- Veterans with PTSD may qualify for additional compensation through secondary conditions such as sleep apnea, depression, and hypertension.
Based on VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) and related service-connection regulations. This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Next review: October 2026
Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.
Primary sources: 38 CFR Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities), VA.gov disability compensation, 38 CFR § 3.310 (secondary service connection)
Overview
Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common service-connected conditions among veterans. It can develop after exposure to a traumatic event during military service, including combat, military sexual trauma (MST), or other life-threatening experiences. PTSD is rated under 38 CFR 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411, using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
The VA evaluates PTSD based on the level of occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal. Ratings range from 0% to 100% depending on the severity and frequency of these symptoms and their impact on daily functioning.
PTSD frequently occurs alongside other conditions. Veterans with PTSD may develop secondary conditions such as sleep apnea, depression, hypertension, and migraines, which can each be claimed separately for additional compensation.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | A diagnosis of PTSD has been established, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning, or symptoms are controlled by continuous medication. |
| 10% | Mild symptoms that may cause occupational and social impairment with decreased work efficiency and ability to perform tasks only during periods of significant stress. |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, or mild memory loss. |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, or difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, illogical speech, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance, or inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation to time or place, or memory loss for names of close relatives or own name. |
- 0%
A diagnosis of PTSD has been established, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning, or symptoms are controlled by continuous medication.
- 10%
Mild symptoms that may cause occupational and social impairment with decreased work efficiency and ability to perform tasks only during periods of significant stress.
- 30%
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, or mild memory loss.
- 50%
Reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, or difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.
- 70%
Deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, illogical speech, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance, or inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
- 100%
Total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation to time or place, or memory loss for names of close relatives or own name.
These criteria describe how a VA Compensation & Pension examiner evaluates the condition during a rating exam. They are not a self-test. For mental health conditions under 38 CFR 4.130, a diagnosis must be made by a qualified clinician under DSM-5. Actual ratings depend on the totality of evidence reviewed by the VA.
Evidence Checklist
Required
Service treatment records (STRs)
Documentation of the in-service stressor event or evidence of behavioral changes during service.
Diagnosis from qualified provider
A current diagnosis of PTSD from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other qualified mental health provider using DSM-5 criteria.
Recommended
Treatment records
Mental health treatment records showing ongoing symptoms, medication history, and therapy notes.
Buddy statements
Statements from family, friends, or fellow service members describing behavioral changes observed after the traumatic event.
Helpful
Personal statement
A detailed written account of how PTSD symptoms affect your daily life, work, and relationships.
Medication records
Documentation of prescribed psychiatric medications, dosages, and any side effects experienced.
Secondary Conditions
These conditions may be claimed as secondary to PTSD. A nexus is the medical link between a service-connected condition and a related condition. Nexus strength indicates the level of established medical evidence supporting that connection.
Sleep Apnea
DC 6847, Typical range: 0%, 30%, 50%, 100%
Major Depressive Disorder
DC 9434, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Hypertension
DC 7101, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%
GERD
DC 7346, Typical range: 10%, 30%, 60%
Migraines
DC 8100, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%
Erectile Dysfunction
DC 7522, Typical range: 0%, 20%
Bruxism
DC 9905, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%
Substance Use Disorder
DC 9431, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Explore all secondary conditions in the Secondary Condition Mapper tool.
C&P Exam Preparation
What to Expect
- The examiner will conduct a clinical interview, typically lasting 30 to 90 minutes, structured around the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
- You may be administered the CAPS-5 (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale), which is the gold-standard structured interview for PTSD severity.
- The examiner will ask about your stressor events, including details about what happened, when, and how it affected you.
How to Prepare
- Consider reviewing your treatment records and any mental health notes so you can speak specifically about symptom patterns.
- You may want to prepare a written summary of your worst days, including specific examples of how symptoms affect your daily routine.
- Think about how PTSD impacts your work performance, attendance, and relationships with coworkers or supervisors.
View the full C&P exam preparation guide for detailed tips and common mistakes.
Related DBQs
Initial PTSD
Form 21-0781
Review PTSD
Form 21-0781a
Mental Disorders (Other Than PTSD)
Form 21-0960P-2
Search all DBQ forms in the DBQ Finder tool.
Next Steps
This information is for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.