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38 CFR 4.130 / DC 9411 · Mental Health

PTSD VA Rating

The VA rates PTSD under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR 4.130) at six levels from 0% to 100%. A 70% rating pays $1,808.45/month and is the most common gateway to TDIU.

0%Formal DiagnosisNo pay
10%Mild or Transient Symptoms$180.42/mo
30%Occasional Decrease in Work Efficiency$552.47/mo
50%Reduced Reliability and Productivity$1,132.90/mo
70%Deficiencies in Most Areas$1,808.45/mo
100%Total Occupational and Social Impairment$3,938.58/mo

Rating Criteria by Level

Under 38 CFR 4.130, PTSD and all other mental health conditions are rated using the General Rating Formula. Ratings are based on occupational and social impairment, not on diagnosis alone. The VA looks at how symptoms affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, and manage daily life.

0%Formal Diagnosis, No Functional Impairment
Non-compensable

Criteria: A mental health condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.

A 0% rating is non-compensable but still service-connected. It preserves the right to file for secondary conditions and to seek an increase if symptoms worsen. Many veterans initially receive 0% and later win increases as their condition progresses or is better documented.

10%Mild or Transient Symptoms
$180.42/mo

Criteria: Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication.

The 10% rating captures veterans whose PTSD is well-controlled with medication or whose symptoms only flare during high-stress periods. If medication is required to function, that alone supports the 10% threshold even when symptoms appear minimal.

30%Occasional Decrease in Work Efficiency
$552.47/mo

Criteria: Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily with normal routine behavior, self-care, and conversation.

The 30% rating covers veterans who mostly function but have recognizable flares. Documentation of missed work, reduced performance reviews, conflicts with coworkers, or difficulty maintaining relationships supports this level.

50%Reduced Reliability and Productivity
$1,132.90/mo

Criteria: Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial or stereotyped speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, or difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The 50% level requires documented functional impact across multiple domains. Panic attacks are a specific listed criterion. Veterans at this level are often working but struggle significantly with consistency, relationships, and maintaining employment over time.

70%Deficiencies in Most Areas
$1,808.45/mo

Criteria: 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 that interfere with routine activities, illogical or obscure speech, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal hygiene, or inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The 70% rating is the TDIU threshold for a single condition (one disability at 60% or more, or combined at 70% with one at 40%). This level reflects severe, pervasive functional impairment. A detailed personal statement documenting daily life impact, combined with a strong DBQ from a treating provider, is the most effective path to this rating.

TDIU threshold: 70% combined with one condition at 40%
100%Total Occupational and Social Impairment
$3,938.58/mo

Criteria: 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, or disorientation to time or place.

The 100% schedular rating requires documented total impairment. This is a high threshold. Many veterans who functionally qualify for 100% effective compensation reach it through TDIU rather than a schedular 100% rating, since TDIU requires only the inability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

How to Service-Connect PTSD

Service connection for PTSD requires three elements under 38 CFR 3.304(f): a current diagnosis, an in-service stressor, and a medical nexus linking the two.

Current Diagnosis

A licensed mental health professional must diagnose PTSD using DSM-5 criteria. The diagnosis should be documented in VA or private medical records before or during the claims process.

In-Service Stressor

Combat veterans can establish stressors through service records alone. Non-combat veterans must corroborate the stressor through buddy statements, official records, or other evidence. MST stressors require only supporting markers under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5), not direct corroboration.

Medical Nexus

A nexus opinion from a physician or licensed clinician connecting the in-service stressor to the current PTSD diagnosis. The C&P examiner typically provides this, but a private nexus letter strengthens the claim.

What Happens at Your C&P Exam

The VA schedules a compensation and pension exam with a mental health examiner. For PTSD, this is one of the most important parts of the claim. The examiner will:

  • Review your service records and medical history
  • Conduct a clinical interview covering trauma history, current symptoms, and functional impact
  • Complete the PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ)
  • Assess occupational and social impairment across multiple domains
  • Provide a nexus opinion on whether PTSD is related to service

Bring a written personal statement describing how PTSD affects your daily life, work, and relationships. Describe your worst days, not your best. The examiner sees you for one hour; your written statement fills in the rest.

PTSD and TDIU

PTSD is one of the most common conditions underlying TDIU claims. If your service-connected PTSD prevents you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU even if your schedular rating is below 100%.

The two TDIU thresholds both commonly apply to PTSD:

  • Single condition at 60% or higher: a PTSD rating of 60% alone qualifies
  • Combined 70% with one condition at 40%: PTSD at 40% combined with other conditions reaching 70% qualifies

TDIU pays at the 100% rate ($3,938.58/mo veteran alone) regardless of your schedular combined rating. See the TDIU page for full eligibility criteria and the application process.

Secondary Conditions to PTSD

Once PTSD is service-connected, conditions caused or worsened by PTSD can be added as secondary claims. Each carries its own rating that combines with your PTSD rating.

Sleep Apnea (secondary to PTSD)

PTSD hyperarousal disrupts sleep architecture and can trigger or worsen obstructive sleep apnea. Rated 0-100% (50% with CPAP). See the sleep apnea guide for filing strategy.

Hypertension

Chronic stress from PTSD elevates blood pressure over time. Rated 10-60% depending on readings.

GERD

Anxiety and hyperarousal increase acid production and worsen reflux. Rated 10-60%.

Migraines

Stress and disrupted sleep from PTSD are recognized migraine triggers. Rated 0-50%.

Erectile Dysfunction

PTSD medication side effects and psychological impact commonly cause ED. Rated at the special monthly compensation (SMC-K) level.

Substance Use Disorder

Self-medication of PTSD symptoms with alcohol or drugs can be service-connected as secondary to PTSD in some circumstances.

SourcesLast reviewed: May 2026

PTSD VA Rating FAQ

What is the most common VA rating for PTSD?
70% is the most commonly sought PTSD rating because it is the threshold for TDIU eligibility when combined with other conditions, and it pays $1,808.45/month (veteran alone, 2026). 50% is also common for veterans with moderate occupational impairment.
Can you get 100% disability for PTSD alone?
Yes. A 100% schedular PTSD rating requires total occupational and social impairment, with symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes, persistent hallucinations or delusions, or persistent danger of hurting self or others. Many veterans reach 100% effective pay through TDIU rather than a schedular rating.
Does PTSD qualify for TDIU?
Yes. A single PTSD rating of 60% or higher meets the single-condition TDIU threshold. A PTSD rating of 40% or higher combined with other conditions totaling 70% meets the combined threshold. TDIU pays at the 100% rate ($3,938.58/mo).
What stressors qualify for PTSD service connection?
For combat veterans, a verified in-service stressor is accepted based on service records. For non-combat veterans, the stressor must be corroborated. Military sexual trauma (MST) has its own evidentiary rules under 38 CFR 3.304(f)(5), requiring supporting markers rather than corroborating records.
How hard is it to get a 70% PTSD rating?
The 70% criteria require deficiencies in most areas: work, family, judgment, thinking, or mood. A strong C&P exam supported by a nexus letter and a detailed personal statement describing functional impact gives veterans the best chance.
Can PTSD be rated along with depression or anxiety?
The VA rates all mental health conditions under the same General Rating Formula (38 CFR 4.130). PTSD, depression, and anxiety are typically combined into a single mental health rating rather than rated separately, to avoid pyramiding.
What secondary conditions can be claimed with PTSD?
Common secondary conditions include sleep apnea, hypertension, GERD, substance use disorder, erectile dysfunction, and migraines. Each requires a medical nexus opinion linking the condition to service-connected PTSD.