Condition Guide · Most common MH claim

PTSD VA rating 2026 — 38 CFR §4.130 DC 9411

Updated June 2026 · CFR source: 38 CFR §4.130

PTSD is the most commonly claimed mental health condition in VA disability, and the most commonly appealed. It is rated under Diagnostic Code 9411 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders at 38 CFR §4.130. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment — not solely on a diagnosis.

Rating schedule — DC 9411

Rating	2026 monthly (single)	Criteria (summary)
100%	$3,938.58	Total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD symptoms.
70%	$1,808.45	Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas — work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, mood.
50%	$1,132.90	Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
30%	$552.47	Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency.
10%	$180.42	Mild or transient symptoms; decreases in work efficiency only during periods of significant stress.
0%	$0 (service-connected, no comp)	Symptoms controlled by continuous medication; no effect on work or social function.

What VA examines at the C&P exam

VA uses the PTSD DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire) to guide examination. Key areas evaluated:

Occupational impact: job changes, firings, inability to maintain employment, performance issues, conflicts with supervisors or coworkers.
Social impact: social withdrawal, relationship problems, avoidance of activities, inability to maintain friendships.
Symptom severity: hypervigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, emotional numbing, anger/irritability, sleep disturbance, concentration problems.
Mental Status Exam: appearance, behavior, speech, thought content/process, mood, affect, memory, judgment, insight.
Overall functional level: a narrative of how symptoms impair work and daily life. (VA no longer uses the GAF score — it was retired when VA adopted the DSM-5.)

Service connection requirements

PTSD requires three elements for service connection under 38 CFR §3.304(f):

A current PTSD diagnosis from a qualified mental health provider.
An in-service stressor event — confirmed by service records, buddy statements, or for combat veterans, the DD-214 showing combat service.
A medical nexus linking the current PTSD to the in-service stressor.

For MST (Military Sexual Trauma) claims, additional corroboration options beyond service records are available under §3.304(f)(5).

Secondary conditions commonly connected to PTSD

Sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD — disrupted sleep, hyperarousal)
Hypertension (secondary to chronic PTSD stress response)
GERD / acid reflux (secondary to PTSD medications or stress)
Obesity-related conditions (secondary to PTSD medication side effects)
Erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD medications — SSRIs)

How PTSD combines with other ratings

A 70% PTSD rating combined with a 50% sleep apnea rating produces 85% combined → rounds to 90% ($2,362.30/mo). Adding bilateral knee conditions (20% + 20%) with the bilateral factor pushes to 91%+ → still 90%. Without further conditions, you need to push to 95% to round to 100%.

Use the calculator to model your exact combination:

Calculate with PTSD + other conditions →

FAQ

What is the most common PTSD rating VA grants?

There is no automatic minimum for PTSD. It is rated 0/10/30/50/70/100 under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, based on occupational and social impairment. 50% and 70% are the most commonly assigned tiers; veterans with documented impairment — frequent job loss, inability to work in group settings, social isolation — are often rated 70%.

Can I get 100% for PTSD?

Yes. 100% is appropriate when PTSD causes total occupational and social impairment — inability to maintain any employment, severe interpersonal difficulties, and gross impairment in self-care. This rating requires thorough clinical documentation including a Mental Status Exam (MSE).

Does PTSD rating affect TDIU eligibility?

Yes. A 60%+ PTSD rating alone meets the §4.16(a) threshold for TDIU if you cannot maintain substantially gainful employment. Many veterans with 50% PTSD combined with other conditions reach 70%+ combined, qualifying for TDIU on path B.

What is a nexus letter for PTSD?

A nexus letter is a physician statement connecting your PTSD to a service event. For PTSD, VA requires in-service stressor evidence (confirmed event, POW/combat, or MST) plus a diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. In-service stressor confirmation may come from military records, buddy statements, or for combat veterans, the DD-214.

Can PTSD be secondary to physical injuries?

Yes. PTSD secondary to a traumatic physical injury (e.g., PTSD from a service-connected TBI, or PTSD secondary to severe physical pain) can be service-connected as a secondary condition. A psychiatrist nexus letter linking the PTSD to the physical injury is required.