PTSD and mental health conditions are rated under 38 CFR §4.130 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Understanding how VA rates these conditions—and what evidence matters—is crucial for getting the rating you deserve.
All mental health conditions are rated together. If you have PTSD, depression, and anxiety, VA rates them as one combined mental health rating, not separately.
PTSD Rating Levels
| Rating | VA Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Diagnosed, symptoms controlled by medication, minimal impact on work/social life |
| 10% | Mild symptoms with minimal work/social impact |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity, difficulty with work relationships |
| 70% | Deficiencies in MOST areas: work, school, family, judgment, thinking, mood |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment |
Detailed Symptom Criteria
30% Rating Symptoms
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Suspiciousness
- Chronic sleep impairment
- Mild memory loss
50% Rating Symptoms
- Flattened affect
- Panic attacks more than weekly
- Difficulty understanding complex commands
- Impaired judgment and abstract thinking
- Disturbances of motivation and mood
- Difficulty establishing work/social relationships
70% Rating Symptoms
- Suicidal ideation
- Obsessional rituals interfering with routine
- Near-continuous panic or depression
- Impaired impulse control (unprovoked irritability)
- Neglect of personal appearance/hygiene
- Difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances
- Inability to establish effective relationships
100% Rating Symptoms
- Gross impairment in thought processes
- Persistent delusions or hallucinations
- Grossly inappropriate behavior
- Persistent danger of hurting self or others
- Inability to perform activities of daily living
- Disorientation to time or place
- Memory loss for own name or close relatives
Key difference between 50% and 70%: At 50%, you have "difficulty" with relationships. At 70%, you have "inability" to establish them. Word choice matters!
Evidence That Wins
Evidence That Wins
- ✓DSM-5 diagnosis from qualified mental health professional
- ✓Lay statements describing DAILY LIFE IMPACT (not just symptoms)
- ✓Spouse/family statements with specific examples of behavior changes
- ✓Work discipline records, attendance issues, performance decline
- ✓Treatment records: therapy notes, medication history, hospitalizations
- ✓Stressor documentation: combat records, unit history, buddy statements
Evidence That Loses
- ✗Diagnosis without documented functional impact
- ✗Symptoms listed without severity or frequency
- ✗Generic stress statements
- ✗No treatment records with no explanation why
- ✗Contradictory statements about symptoms
C&P Exam Strategy
CRITICAL: Describe your WORST days, not your best. The C&P examiner needs to understand the full severity of your condition.
- Be specific about frequency: "3-4 nightmares per week" not "sometimes"
- Describe impact: "I haven't seen friends in 6 months" not "I avoid people"
- Bring spouse/family to corroborate your symptoms
- Don't minimize: This is not the time to be strong
- Describe occupational impact: Missed work, conflicts, performance issues
Secondary Conditions
PTSD commonly causes or contributes to:
- Sleep apnea — Very strong medical link
- Hypertension
- GERD/IBS — Stress affects digestive system
- Erectile dysfunction
- Migraines
If you have PTSD, review your other conditions. Many physical health issues can be claimed as secondary to PTSD with proper medical evidence.
Filing Tips
- Get current treatment (therapy, medication) before filing
- Write a detailed personal statement about daily impact
- Get buddy letters from family describing changes they've observed
- Document work problems (attendance, discipline, conflicts)
- Keep a symptom diary with specific examples
- Document your stressor event clearly for service connection