5 Tips to Increase Your VA Rating for PTSD (The Ultimate Guide for 2021)

This post is the ultimate guide for your PTSD VA rating where I’ll cover 5 tips to increase your VA rating for PTSD.

In 2021, your PTSD VA rating can be 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% depending upon the severity of your symptoms along with your current level of Occupational and Social Impairment.

The VA Rater will make this subjective rating assessment by reviewing all credible evidence, to include the C&P examiners notes on the Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ) for PTSD, to get an approximate disability picture of your mental health symptoms over time.

Generally, the more severe your mental health symptoms, the higher the VA rating you’ll receive for PTSD.

According to CFR 38 PTSD the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders—Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is just one of 31 ratable mental health conditions under the law.

The 2021 VA Disability Ratings for PTSD are: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%.

VA Rating for PTSD: Basic Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for a PTSD VA rating, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law:

• #1. Medical diagnosis of PTSD in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private records)
• #2. Your PTSD was caused or made worse by your active duty military service (“Nexus” for service connection)
• #3. Persistent and reoccurring symptoms of PTSD (Severity of Symptoms)

If you think you have PTSD, but don’t have a medical diagnosis, pick-up the phone and call the VA mental health facility nearest you to make an appointment right away!

If you’re trying to increase your VA rating for PTSD, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse, and warrant a higher rating by law.

The #1 best way to increase your PTSD VA rating is to get a private independent psychological evaluation and tell your uncomfortable truths about the severity of your symptoms.

>> Did you know PTSD always has stressors? Click HERE to learn more. <<

PTSD is the #3 Easiest VA Claim to Win

According to the Veteran Benefits Administration’s (VBA) report to congress, VA disability claims for PTSD are among the easiest VA claims to win, and are the #3 most compensated claim overall behind Tinnitus and Hearing Loss.

Presently, 1,039,794 veterans out of 4,743,108 VA compensation recipients have a VA rating for PTSD.

Thus, 21.9% of all disabled veterans receiving disability compensation from the VA have a service-connected rating for PTSD of 0% or higher.

59.3% of all veterans with a VA mental health rating are rated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The total number of veterans receiving compensation for PTSD, along with their corresponding ratings is shown below:

• 37,868 veterans or (2.2%) of all VA disability compensation recipients for PTSD have a 0% rating.
• 125,056 veterans or (7.1%) of all VA disability compensation claim recipients for PTSD have a 10% rating.
• 416,056 veterans or (23.7%) of all VA compensation claim recipients for PTSD have a 30% PTSD rating.
• 453,980 or (25.9%) of all VA disability recipients for PTSD have an automatic 50% PTSD rating.
• 490,339 or (28.0%) of all VA claim recipients for PTSD have a 70% PTSD rating.
• 229,792 or (13.1%) of all VA disability claim recipients have a 100% PTSD rating.

The average VA disability rating for PTSD is 70%, which makes it a high-value VA claim.

The median and mode PTSD rating for all veterans in 2019 was 70%.

2021 VA Rating Criteria for PTSD Explained

0% PTSD Rating Criteria

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

This means you have a PTSD diagnosis, but no subjective symptoms.

You have no occupational and social impairment at the 0% PTSD rating level.

>> Click HERE to see the entire PTSD Rating Scale in detail

Symptoms of 10% PTSD Rating

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

Translation: You have very mild symptoms of PTSD.

Maybe you take antidepressants, but these medications keep your symptoms in check.

30% PTSD VA Rating Symptoms

Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events).

The 30% rating for PTSD still has fairly mild symptoms. You have some depression, anxiety, memory loss, and panic attacks, but not very often. You might be having some trouble sleeping along with mild memory loss.

Typically, you’re having panic attacks LESS than once per week.

50 Percent VA Rating for PTSD

Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The 50% rating for PTSD has moderately severe symptoms.

The biggest difference between the 30% and 50% rating is that at this level, you’re having a lot of trouble in your relationships. Perhaps you don’t have any friends or just want to be alone. Maybe you’re divorced or can’t get along with your spouse anymore.

The other difference is you’re now having panic attacks MORE than one time per week.

Symptoms of the 70% VA Rating for PTSD  

Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work like setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The 70% PTSD rating has very severe symptoms and is a big jump from the 50% level.

Notice the keyword change to “deficiencies in most areas.”

Maybe you constantly check windows and doors in your home or have other obsessive rituals as you go about your day, such as a video camera monitoring system around your property.

Your panic attacks, depression, and anxiety are now happening constantly. You think about suicide often, meaning you’re having thoughts or even making plans. You are unable to establish and maintain effective relationships at work and socially.

100% VA Rating for PTSD Criteria

Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms 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 (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.

The 100% PTSD rating has the most severe symptoms.

Notice the change to “total occupational and social impairment.” This means you’re having major issues at work and at home.

Perhaps you can’t work because your PTSD is so severe. This is the first time we see delusional thoughts, hallucinations, and grossly inappropriate behavior.

Severe memory loss and occasional inability to care for oneself are now present at the 100% level.

Most Important Sections of the PTSD DBQ

You can either obtain a DBQ for PTSD from a private provider or wait and let the C&P examiner complete an electronic version of the DBQ at your compensation and pension exam for PTSD.

>> Need a PTSD DBQ? Join VA Claims Insider Elite now to get one from our private medical providers. <<

In addition to having a medical diagnosis for PTSD, there are two critical sections of the PTSD DBQ that determine your final VA rating for mental health.

In Section 4, a private provider or the C&P examiner will check one of 7 boxes based upon their subjective assessment of your overall level of occupational and social impairment.

You’ll notice the keywords for each block mirrors the PTSD Rating Scale verbatim.

This is the MOST IMPORTANT section on your PTSD DBQ:

Section 7 is the second most important part of your PTSD DBQ.

The reason is because your current PTSD symptoms serves as a signal to the VA Rater on the severity of your mental health condition, which ultimately affects your final rating.

The more severe your PTSD symptoms are, the higher the VA rating you’ll receive:

VA Rating for PTSD in 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get VA disability compensation for PTSD? 

Yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will pay veterans with service-connected PTSD tax free compensation each month. The amount of compensation depends upon your overall VA rating.

Is PTSD a VA disability? 

Yes, PTSD is a VA disability and can be rated from 0% to 100% depending upon the severity of your symptoms.

The VA recognizes PTSD as one of 31 mental health conditions that may be related to service, and thus, PTSD is a VA disability, and is eligible for VA compensation and benefits under the law.

What are the VA disability ratings for PTSD? 

The VA will give you a disability rating based upon the severity of your PTSD, specifically related to your level of occupational and social impairment. If you are considered service-connected for PTSD, you will receive one of six possible VA disability ratings, broken out as follows: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.

How much does the VA pay for PTSD? 

If your PTSD claim is approved, you may receive up to $3,421.90 per month. That is currently the max that the VA will pay veterans with PTSD and includes SMC for PTSD housebound, if at the 100% rating criteria for PTSD. If you’re rated at 100% for PTSD, you’re eligible to receive an additional $364.77 per month for SMC housebound.

Can I receive Special Monthly Compensation for PTSD?

Yes! VA Special Monthly Compensation under Category S is given if the veteran has at least one condition rated 100% AND one or both of the following:

#1. You are completely and permanently housebound because of his service-connected conditions, meaning that the veteran cannot leave his area of abode (this can include his own home, a hospital ward, or a care facility) at all, and this is expected to be the case for the rest of his life OR

#2. You have another condition rated 60% or group of conditions together rated 60% that are unrelated to the 100% condition. For example, you have GERD rated at 60% and PTSD rated at 100%.

Veterans can get an extra $364.77 each month, tax-free, if you meet the PTSD housebound criteria.

Can PTSD be Permanent and Total (P&T)? 

Some veterans may receive a permanent and total rating, also known as 100% P&T. If your PTSD is not expected to improve, you may obtain the status of permanent and total disability. Did you know VA Claims Insider has medical doctors who may be able to write a “Permanent and Total” letter for you to help you get a 100% P&T VA rating?

Can the VA reduce my disability rating for PTSD? 

Yes. Unfortunately, sometimes the VA will lower a veteran’s PTSD rating. If that happens to you, obtain new and relevant medical evidence for PTSD and challenge the VA’s decision to lower your rating.

How do I get a 100% VA disability for PTSD? 

Your PTSD must be severe enough to warrant a 100% rating. Many veterans do obtain a 100% rating for PTSD using VA Claims Insider’s proven proprietary medical consulting process for DBQ Reviews and credible Medical Nexus Letters.

Can I work with a 100% PTSD rating? 

Yes you can! It is a myth that having PTSD somehow means you can’t work. In fact, you can work with any PTSD rating. Even if you’re rated at 100% for PTSD, there is no requirement or mandate that affects your work.

Will PTSD affect my security clearance?

It is a myth that having PTSD or a PTSD rating will somehow affect your security clearance. Of course you’ll need to report it to your security manager and update your SF 86; however, it has no impact on your security clearance (in our experience serving 10,000+ veterans with PTSD since 2016).

Is PTSD only related to military combat?

No! For VA rating purposes, PTSD claims can be either PTSD combat or PTSD non-combat, such as PTSD MST. Each category has its own special criteria. Click HERE to read more about the two types of PTSD VA claims.

What is a PTSD stressor?

Many veterans who experience a traumatic event on active duty develop PTSD. This traumatic event is often referred to as a “PTSD stressor” by the VA. The VA states a stressor involves exposure to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence. Click HERE to read about PTSD Non Combat Stressors

WATCH: C&P Exam Tips for PTSD!

The C&P Exam for PTSD is the #1 MOST IMPORTANT day in the 8 step VA claim process and arguably makes or breaks your final mental health rating.

You must be prepared to talk about your mental health symptoms in detail and tell the C&P examiner how your PTSD is affecting your work, life, and social functioning. >> Click HERE for My Top 5 C&P Exam for PTSD tips! <<

About the Author

Brian Reese is a VA benefits expert, former military officer, and founder of VA Claims Insider – “The Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.”

His frustration with the 8-step VA disability claims process led him to create “VA Claims Insider,” which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim in less time.

Brian is also the CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, which is the world’s largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability, and has served more than 6,000,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013.

He is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).