VA PTSD Rating Criteria: 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
A complete breakdown of VA PTSD rating criteria under the General Mental Disorders formula, with the specific symptoms and functional impairment level that drive each rating from 0% through 100%.
PTSD is rated under 38 CFR § 4.130 at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%. Ratings are based on occupational and social impairment level, not on diagnosis alone. The 70% level specifically requires deficiencies in most areas of daily functioning, not just severe symptoms.
The VA rates PTSD under Diagnostic Code 9411. The difference between rating levels often hinges on a handful of specific findings that examiners check during the C&P exam. Knowing what each level requires lets you advocate for an accurate rating — and identify when an under-rating warrants an appeal.
Rating Criteria
0%
Formally diagnosed, with symptoms controlled by medication and no occupational impairment resulting from the condition.
10%
Mild symptoms causing only a transient decrease in work efficiency during periods of significant stress.
30%
Occasional decrease in work efficiency, depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks occurring weekly or less often, and mild memory loss.
50%
Reduced reliability and productivity, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short- and long-term memory, and disturbances of motivation and mood.
70%
Deficiencies in most areas of life — work, family relations, judgment, and mood — along with suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression, neglect of personal hygiene, and an inability to maintain effective relationships.
100%
Total occupational and social impairment, gross impairment of thought processes, persistent delusions or hallucinations, danger of hurting self or others, and disorientation to time or place.
Evidence That Drives the Rating
- Mental health treatment records showing symptom pattern and severity over time
- Lay statements from a spouse, family member, or coworker describing observed changes
- Work performance reviews showing documented decline tied to symptoms
- A personal symptom journal tracking frequency and severity
Want the complete picture across every mental health condition?
See the Full Mental Health Claims GuideWhat to Expect at the C&P Exam
The examiner will complete the DBQ specific to PTSD. Bring symptom logs, treatment records, and a clear description of how the condition affects daily life and work. Describe your worst typical day, not your best day.
Why the Gap Between 50% and 70% Trips Up So Many Claims
The jump from 50% to 70% isn't just 'more severe symptoms' — it specifically requires deficiencies across most major areas of life simultaneously, not just work. A veteran with severe work impairment but relatively intact family relationships and personal care may land at 50% rather than 70%, even with significant symptoms, because the criteria require broader functional deficits across multiple domains at once.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Minimizing symptoms at the C&P exam, which understates the severity the examiner ultimately documents.
- Not documenting the actual frequency of panic attacks, which is a specific factor distinguishing the 30% and 50% levels.
- Failing to mention the impact on work and relationships explicitly, since that's what the entire rating formula is built around.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Understanding the rating schedule for PTSD turns a passive exam into an active conversation. Walk in knowing what level your symptoms support — and what evidence backs it up.
Want the complete picture across every mental health condition?
See the Full Mental Health Claims Guide