PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

DC 9411Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9411 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The VA rates PTSD based on how much it affects your ability to work and maintain relationships.

Proposed Mental Health Rating Overhaul

The VA has proposed replacing the current General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders with a 5-domain model. Key changes: elimination of the 0% rating level, objective domain-based assessments (self-care, social, occupational, cognitive, and behavioral), and new rating levels at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. This is a proposed rule and has not taken effect.

View proposed rule →

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting specific symptoms — vague statements like "I have PTSD" aren't enough. Document exactly which symptoms you experience and how often.
⚠Underreporting symptoms during C&P exam — many veterans minimize symptoms out of habit. Describe your worst days, not your best.
⚠Missing the connection between PTSD and secondary conditions like sleep apnea, migraines, or GERD that may warrant separate ratings.
⚠Not providing buddy statements from family or friends who can describe observable behavior changes.
⚠Focusing only on the traumatic event instead of current symptoms and functional impact.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Initial PTSD
DBQ Review PTSD

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting specific symptoms — vague statements like "I have PTSD" aren't enough. Document exactly which symptoms you experience and how often.

⚠Underreporting symptoms during C&P exam — many veterans minimize symptoms out of habit. Describe your worst days, not your best.

⚠Missing the connection between PTSD and secondary conditions like sleep apnea, migraines, or GERD that may warrant separate ratings.

⚠Not providing buddy statements from family or friends who can describe observable behavior changes.

⚠Focusing only on the traumatic event instead of current symptoms and functional impact.