VA Disability Rating for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Rated 0–100% under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
PTSD is rated under 38 CFR § 4.130 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The rating reflects how much the condition impairs occupational and social functioning — not just how many symptoms you have. A detailed C&P exam narrative describing your worst day, not your average day, is critical.
Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | — | Diagnosed but controlled by continuous medication or no occupational/social impairment. |
| 10% | $180.42 | Mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress. Work performance is generally satisfactory. |
| 30% | $552.47 | Occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. Symptoms: anxiety, depressed mood, suspiciousness, panic attacks (<1×/wk), mild memory loss. |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | Reduced reliability and productivity. Flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing effective work and social relationships. |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | Deficiencies in most areas (work, family, judgment, mood, thinking). Suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal hygiene. |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | Total occupational and social impairment. Gross impairment in thought processes, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger to self or others, disorientation to time or place, memory loss for own name/identity. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 30%: $552.47/mo · $6,630/year, tax-free
- →At 50%: $1,132.90/mo · $13,595/year, tax-free
- →At 70%: $1,808.45/mo · $21,701/year, tax-free
- →At 100%: $3,938.58/mo · $47,263/year, tax-free
How to get rated for ptsd (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Obtain a current PTSD diagnosis from a qualified clinician (VA or private).
- Identify the in-service stressor(s) and secure corroborating evidence (service records, deployment orders, lay statements).
- File VA Form 21-0781 (Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD) describing the stressor.
- Attend the C&P exam — describe your worst day, not your average day.
- Consider lay statements from family/coworkers about behavioral changes.
Common secondary conditions
- +Sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD via hyperarousal and medication weight gain)
- +GERD
- +Hypertension
- +Erectile dysfunction (SSRI side-effect)
- +Substance use disorder
- +TBI (if blast exposure)
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Combat PTSD does not require a separate stressor verification — the combat service record is itself the stressor.
- MST (military sexual trauma) has relaxed evidentiary standards — behavior markers (transfer requests, unexplained performance drops) count as corroborating evidence.
Frequently asked
What is the average PTSD rating?
Approximately 70% of service-connected PTSD claims are rated 50% or higher, per VA annual benefits reports. Many vets are initially rated 30% and succeed on increase claims once the full impact is documented.
Can I get 100% PTSD?
Yes — 100% requires total occupational and social impairment. Many vets with severe PTSD qualify for 70% schedular + TDIU, which pays the same monthly amount as 100%.
Will filing a PTSD claim affect my security clearance?
No. Under 38 USC § 5701, VA claims information is confidential. Filing a PTSD claim in itself does not trigger clearance review.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.