Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Diagnostic Code 9411 • 38 CFR § 4.130
One of the most common service-connected mental health conditions
Diagnostic Code
9411
PTSD Rating Percentages at a Glance
Total occupational & social impairment
Gross impairment in thought, persistent delusions, danger to self/others
$3,938.58/mo
base, no deps
Impairment in most areas
Suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic, impaired impulse control
$1,808.45/mo
base, no deps
Reduced reliability & productivity
Panic attacks weekly+, memory impairment, difficulty in relationships
$1,132.90/mo
base, no deps
Occasional work decrease
Intermittent inability to perform tasks, generally functioning
$552.47/mo
base, no deps
Mild/transient symptoms
Decreased efficiency during stress or controlled by medication
$180.42/mo
base, no deps
Real-World Compensation Scenarios
70% PTSD + Common Secondaries
100% PTSD with spouse and child
100% veteran alone
$3,938.58
Dependent add-ons
See VA.gov tables
Spouse and child add-ons vary by rating and family composition and change with COLA. Use the current VA.gov compensation-rate tables (rates effective December 1, 2025) rather than a hardcoded example.
70% PTSD + TDIU (Unemployable)
If you can't work due to PTSD, you can receive 100% compensation at the TDIU rate even with a 70% PTSD rating.
70% PTSD + TDIU
$3,938.58/mo
(same as 100% rating)
Complete Rating Criteria (General Rating Formula)
PTSD is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The key factor is occupational and social impairment, not just symptom count.
| Rating | VA Criteria (38 CFR § 4.130) | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| 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; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. | $3,938.58 +deps |
| 70% | Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms such as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals; speech intermittently illogical; near-continuous panic or depression; impaired impulse control; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal hygiene; difficulty adapting to stress; inability to establish/maintain effective relationships. | $1,808.45 +deps |
| 50% | Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as: flattened affect; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty understanding complex commands; impaired short- and long-term memory; impaired judgment/abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty establishing/maintaining work and social relationships. | $1,132.90 +deps |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, but generally functioning satisfactorily, with normal routine behavior, self-care, and conversation. | $552.47 +deps |
| 10% | Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. | $180.42 +deps |
| 0% | A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough to require continuous medication. | $0 |
Important: All mental health conditions use this same rating formula. The key is documenting how symptoms impact work and social functioning, not just having the diagnosis.
Critical Evidence for PTSD Claims
1. DBQ for PTSD (Mental Disorders)
Most critical document. Completed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Must include DSM-5 diagnosis, symptom frequency/severity, and functional impact assessment.
Tip: Private DBQs often more thorough than VA C&P exams
2. Stressor Documentation
Evidence of the traumatic event(s) that caused PTSD:
- • Combat: Service records, unit deployment logs, awards/medals
- • MST: Changed behavior evidence, buddy statements, counseling records
- • Training accident: Incident reports, medical treatment records
- • Fear of hostile military activity: Deployment records, threat assessments
3. Treatment History
Continuous treatment records showing ongoing symptoms: therapy session notes, psychiatric appointments, medication management records, hospitalizations, crisis interventions.
Opinion: some veterans keep treatment records current because raters review the whole file. A gap in care is not a regulatory rule that reduces a rating.
4. Work Impact Documentation
Employment records, termination letters, performance reviews, attendance records showing absences, disability accommodations, or inability to maintain employment.
5. Buddy & Family Statements
Lay statements describing: nightmares/flashbacks, hypervigilance, anger outbursts, social withdrawal, relationship difficulties, memory problems, personality changes since service.
Common Secondary Conditions to PTSD
PTSD is sometimes associated with other conditions. Each is a separate claim that still needs a current diagnosis and a medical nexus:
😴 Sleep Apnea
EXAMPLEDC 6847 • 0-100% • Hyperarousal and sleep architecture are sometimes discussed together
Example only — nexus still required; not an entitlement to file.
🤕 Migraines
EXAMPLEDC 8100 • 0-50% • Chronic stress is sometimes discussed with migraines — nexus required
🦴 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
EXAMPLEDC 7319 • 10-30% • Gut-brain pathways are sometimes discussed — nexus required
🔥 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
EXAMPLEDC 7206 • 0-80% • A secondary theory requires condition-specific medical evidence
💔 Depression
MODERATEDC 9434 • Often pyramided - see note
May be pyramiding issue if same symptoms
❤️ Hypertension
EXAMPLEDC 7101 • 0-60% • Chronic stress is sometimes discussed with BP — nexus required
🚻 Erectile Dysfunction
EXAMPLEDC 7522 • 0-20% • Psychological and medication effects are sometimes discussed — nexus required
🦴 Back/Neck Pain
EXAMPLEDC 5237-5243 • Muscle tension from hypervigilance is sometimes discussed — nexus required
💊 Substance Use
EXAMPLEVarious • Self-medication for PTSD symptoms is sometimes discussed — nexus required
Not presumed service-connected; VA decides from the record.
Note: Secondary examples still need a diagnosis and nexus. Use the Secondary Condition Mapper as an educational checklist, then review with an accredited representative.
PTSD Claim Timeline
Gather Stressor Evidence
Day 0-14: Collect deployment records, incident reports, buddy statements, or changed behavior evidence
Get Private DBQ or Nexus Letter
Week 2-4: Schedule with psychiatrist/psychologist for PTSD DBQ linking stressor to current symptoms
File Initial Claim
Week 4-6: Submit VA Form 21-526EZ with all evidence
VA C&P Examination
Month 2-4: Bring relevant records and describe the typical frequency, severity, duration, fluctuations, and work/social impact of your symptoms
Receive Decision
Month 4-8: Review rating decision for accuracy
Consider related conditions
If other diagnoses exist, discuss possible secondary claims with an accredited representative. Effective dates follow 38 CFR § 3.400.
What Gets You From 30% to 50% to 70%?
30% → 50% Increase
Document these symptoms to VA:
- ✓ Panic attacks weekly or more
- ✓ Memory problems affecting daily life
- ✓ Difficulty maintaining relationships (family, friends, coworkers)
- ✓ Reduced work reliability (missed deadlines, frequent absences)
- ✓ Mood disturbances interfering with work/social function
50% → 70% Increase
Document these more severe symptoms:
- ✓ Suicidal thoughts or ideation
- ✓ Near-continuous panic or depression
- ✓ Impaired impulse control (anger outbursts, reckless behavior)
- ✓ Spatial disorientation or confusion
- ✓ Neglect of hygiene/appearance
- ✓ Inability to establish or maintain ANY effective relationships
- ✓ Cannot adapt to stressful circumstances at all
70% → 100% Increase
Document catastrophic impairment:
- ✓ Gross impairment in thought processes (disconnected from reality)
- ✓ Persistent delusions or hallucinations
- ✓ Grossly inappropriate behavior
- ✓ Persistent danger to self or others
- ✓ Cannot perform basic activities of daily living intermittently
- ✓ Disoriented to time, place, or person
- ✓ Memory loss for close relatives' names or own identity
Often requires psychiatric hospitalization records
Can't work due to PTSD? TDIU is an application, not a decision
Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is a way VA may pay at the 100% rate when service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment. VA Form 21-8940 is an application, not a grant.
Schedular TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a)
- • One service-connected disability rated 60% or more, OR
- • A combined rating of 70% or more with at least one disability rated 40% or more, AND
- • The service-connected disability (or disabilities) prevent securing or following a substantially gainful occupation
If those percentage thresholds are not met, extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is considered case-by-case. VA decides from the individual record.
Example of the application path (not an award):
A veteran with 70% PTSD who cannot maintain substantially gainful employment may file VA Form 21-8940. If TDIU is granted, compensation is paid at the 100% rate ($3,938.58/mo veteran alone) instead of the 70% rate ($1,808.45/mo). Filing the form does not assign that rate.
Common Mistakes That Lower Your Rating
Not Describing Work Impact
Saying "I have PTSD symptoms" isn't enough. Must show HOW symptoms prevent you from working or maintaining relationships.
Gaps in Treatment
Opinion: some veterans keep treatment current because the file is what raters review. A gap in care is not a regulatory rule that lowers a rating.
Minimizing Symptoms at C&P Exam
Describe your symptoms honestly across both difficult and better days. Explain their typical frequency, severity, duration, fluctuations, and effects on work and relationships.
Not Filing Secondary Claims
Sleep apnea is a separate claim with its own DC 6847 criteria and still needs service connection (often as a secondary with a nexus). It is not an add-on percentage by itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Can I be rated for both PTSD and depression separately?
Generally no - this is called "pyramiding." Both use the same General Rating Formula and rate the same functional impairment. However, if depression predated PTSD or has a separate cause, separate ratings may be possible. Consult a VSO.
▸ What if I wasn't in combat?
You can still get PTSD service connection. Non-combat PTSD includes: MST (military sexual trauma), accidents/training injuries, fear of hostile military activity, or even non-traumatic stressors if a psychiatrist diagnoses PTSD. The stressor requirements vary by type.
▸ How much treatment do I need to show?
There is no required number of appointments. VA considers the whole record, including symptom frequency, severity, duration, periods of remission, and occupational and social impairment. Seek treatment based on your health needs, and submit relevant records if they help document how the condition affects you.
▸ Can medications help or hurt my rating?
Medication use is one part of the evidence, not a rating by itself. The number or dose of medications does not automatically establish severity. VA evaluates occupational and social impairment using the complete record. Take medication only as directed for your care, not as a claims strategy.
▸ Should I work with a VSO or attorney?
Yes, especially for initial PTSD claims. VSOs are free; attorneys work on contingency (typically 20-33% of past-due benefits only). PTSD claims have unique evidence requirements (stressor documentation). This site is educational and does not replace an accredited representative.
Tools & Resources for Your PTSD Claim
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.