Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Many veterans live with PTSD—sometimes without realizing it—and unfortunately, it’s often misunderstood or underestimated, both by veterans and the VA.

This guide explains how PTSD is evaluated for VA benefits and what steps you can take to move forward, including:

• Understanding the condition
• Establishing service connectoin
• What to expect at a Compensation & Pension (C & P) exam
• How the VA rates PTSD claims
• When Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
• What to do after receiving a VA decision
• Helpful resources for support

Understanding PTSD

PTSD is classified as a trauma- and stressor-related disorder in the DSM-5. It involves a range of symptoms triggered by a specific stressor—such as combat, assault, or a life-threatening event. To be diagnosed, symptoms must cause significant disruption in daily life and meet criteria across four categories:

• Intrusion (e.g., flashbacks or nightmares
• Avoidance (e.g., steering clear of reminders or triggers)
• Negative changes in mood or thinking
• Heightened arousal (e.g., trouble sleeping, irritability, or being easily startled)

Common Causes in Veterans

PTSD in veterans may stem from:

• Combat Exposure
• Military sexual trauma (MST)
• In-service personal assault or harrassment
• Serious accidents or near-death experiences

While not everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD, for those who do, it can affect every part of life—including relationships, work, and overall well-being. Some veterans may turn to alcohol or drug use to cope, which can make it harder to get proper care.

Sadly, stigma keeps many veterans from seeking help. But PTSD is a real medical condition—not a sign of weakness. Getting support is a step toward healing, not a setback.

In the next section, we’ll explain how to take the first steps toward getting the VA benefits you’ve earned.

To qualify for VA disability benefits for PTSD, you’ll need to meet three key requirements:

• PTSD Diagnosis: You must have a current diagnosis from a qualified medical professional, such as a VA psychiatrist or licensed psychologist. The VA typically does not accept initial diagnoses from social workers or counselors.
• In-Service Stressor: You’ll need credible evidence showing that the traumatic event (called a “stressor”) occurred during your military service.
• Medical Nexus: A medical opinion must connect your current PTSD symptoms to the in-service event.

What the VA Looks For in a PTSD Diagnosis

The VA requires that your diagnosis meet the criteria in the DSM-5, which includes symptoms like:

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
• Avoidance of reminders
• Negative changes in mood or thinking
• Heightened arousal or reactivity

If the VA disagrees with a diagnosis that meets these standards, it must explain why and provide medical evidence to support the denial.

Proving Your In-Service Stressor

The type of evidence you need can vary based on your service history:

• Diagnosed During Active Duty: If your PTSD was diagnosed while still serving, your own statement about the event may be enough.
• Fear of Hostile or Terrorist Activity: If a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms the diagnosis, your statement can support your claim if it aligns with your service records.
• Combat Veterans: If the stressor is clearly related to combat and matches your service history, your statement generally counts as evidence—unless there’s clear proof otherwise.
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) or Personal Assault: Since these events often go unreported, the VA must consider alternative evidence such as medical records, personal statements, or behavioral changes.

Special Considerations

Combat & MST Cases: In these situations, the VA is required to consider alternate forms of evidence and apply the “benefit of the doubt” rule if official documentation is missing.

If Your Claim Is Denied: A denial doesn’t mean the end of the road. You can appeal the decision with additional documentation, medical opinions, or legal support.

Understanding what the VA is looking for—and what evidence can support your claim—can make the process less overwhelming. At Chambers Law Firm, we help veterans gather the right documentation, strengthen their claims, and push back on unfair denials when needed.

After you file a VA claim for PTSD, the VA will likely schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam—even if you’ve already been diagnosed by a qualified doctor. This exam plays a major role in your claim, and the VA gives significant weight to the examiner’s findings.

What the C&P Exam Is Used For

• Confirming whether your PTSD meets DSM-5 criteria
• Determining whether your condition is service-connected
• Evaluating the severity of your symptoms to assign a disability rating

What to Expect at the Exam

• You won’t be examined by your regular VA doctor
• The examiner may not agree with your existing diagnosis
• You’ll be asked about your symptoms and how they affect daily life
• If the examiner diagnoses a different condition (like depression or anxiety), the VA may deny your PTSD claim or assign a rating for the alternative diagnosis

Tips to Prepare for Your Exam

Being well-prepared can make a real difference in how your condition is documented. Here are a few steps to take:

• Write down your symptoms in advance (e.g., nightmares, hypervigilance, anger, isolation)
• Bring someone close to you who can describe how PTSD affects your daily life
• Request a copy of the exam report so you can review what was documented

How the VA Uses the PTSD DBQ

VA examiners use a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) to evaluate PTSD claims. These forms help ensure the exam is consistent and thorough. If the VA believes you don’t meet the full DSM-5 criteria, they may deny your claim—even if symptoms are present.

Sometimes, an examiner may diagnose another condition that shares symptoms with PTSD, such as generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder.

PTSD Ratings and Requests for Increases

The VA rates PTSD from 0% to 100%, based on how much your condition limits daily functioning. If you request a higher rating, the VA may require a new C&P exam or additional psychological testing.

In some cases, if the examiner suspects exaggeration (“malingering”), they may administer tests like:

• M-FAST (Miller-Forensic Assessment of Symptoms Test)
• MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)
• PAI or TSI (Trauma Symptom Inventory)

If you're labeled as malingering, it can significantly harm your claim. In these situations, an independent medical opinion can help challenge that finding.

What If the Exam Goes Poorly?

You can challenge a negative or unfair C&P exam by:

• Noting inconsistencies or concerns during the exam (e.g., rushed appointment, examiner’s demeanor)
• Requesting a new exam
• Submitting additional medical evidence or a second opinion

If Your Claim Is Denied

If the VA denies your claim based on the C&P exam or lack of evidence, you still have options. Veterans can:

• File an appeal
• Submit new medical records or personal statements
• Request a new exam
• Or work with a representative who understands how to challenge VA decisions

At Chambers Law Firm, we guide veterans through every step—from preparing for the C&P exam to responding to denials—so they have the best chance of securing the benefits they’ve earned.

When the VA grants service connection for PTSD, they assign a disability rating from 0% to 100% based on how severely your symptoms affect daily life. The VA uses a general formula for rating mental health conditions.

VA’s PTSD Rating Breakdown

• 100% – Total occupational and social impairment. May include hallucinations, disorientation, or inability to function independently.
• 70% – Major difficulty in work and relationships. May involve suicidal thoughts, severe depression, or inability to handle stress.
• 50% – Reduced reliability and productivity. Symptoms may include panic attacks, memory issues, or trouble maintaining work.
• 30% – Occasional work inefficiency. Common signs include anxiety, depression, and sleep impairment.
• 10% – Mild symptoms that appear only during stress or are controlled by medication.
• 0% – Diagnosis exists, but symptoms do not impact daily functioning or require treatment.

Getting the Right Rating

The VA often assigns ratings based on an average of symptoms, rather than the most severe. But your rating should reflect the highest level of impairment you experience—even if those symptoms are not constant.

Example: A veteran with any level of suicidal ideation, even infrequent, should receive at least a 70% rating. If the VA assigns a lower rating, that can be appealed with medical support.

Appealing an Incorrect PTSD Rating

If you believe your PTSD was underrated or denied:

• Review your C&P exam report for mistakes or missing symptom documentation
• Submit additional medical opinions or updated treatment records
• Request a new exam if the first was rushed, incomplete, or inaccurate
• File an appeal with supporting evidence

At Chambers Law Firm, we help veterans strengthen their claims, challenge incorrect ratings, and pursue the full benefits they’ve earned.

If your PTSD prevents you from keeping steady work, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). This benefit allows you to receive 100% compensation, even if your PTSD is rated below 100%.

What Is TDIU?

TDIU isn’t a separate claim—it’s part of the VA rating system. It applies when your service-connected condition makes it impossible to maintain substantially gainful employment. For many veterans with PTSD, this is a path to receiving full disability benefits.

The VA is required to consider TDIU if your records show work limitations, but you can strengthen your case by submitting VA Form 21-8940 (Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability).

What the VA Considers (and Doesn’t)

The VA does not consider:

• Your age
• Non-service-connected conditions
• Local job market

The VA does consider:

• How severely PTSD affects your daily functioning
• How often symptoms interfere with work
• Your employment and education history
• Whether medications or side effects impact your ability to work
• Whether you're receiving SSDI for mental health reasons
• Your annual income and job type (if you're working)

If it’s unclear whether PTSD is preventing employment, the VA may schedule a C&P exam focused on functional limitations.

Eligibility: The Two-Part Test

To qualify for TDIU, two things must be true:

• You have one service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher, or a combined rating of 70% or more with one condition rated at least 40%, and
• Your service-connected condition(s) make you unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment

What If My Rating Is Less Than 70%?

You may still qualify for TDIU with a lower PTSD rating through what's called an extraschedular review. This is handled at the Regional Office and requires strong supporting evidence.

Can I Work and Still Get TDIU?

Yes—but only in certain cases. If you're employed but earning below the poverty threshold, or working in a sheltered job (like a family business where accommodations are made for your condition), you may still be eligible.

What Counts as Sheltered Employment?

Sheltered employment means your job is specifically structured to accommodate your disability—for example, reduced responsibilities, flexible hours, or guaranteed employment despite limitations. These situations don’t count as "substantially gainful" and may still allow for TDIU benefits.

TDIU Effective Dates

The effective date for TDIU depends on when the VA first sees evidence that PTSD impacted your ability to work. This could be from medical records, statements, or other documentation.

If Your TDIU Claim Is Denied

You can appeal a denial—or challenge an incorrect effective date—by submitting new evidence or requesting a higher-level review. Appeals must be filed within one year to keep your original claim active.

Can the VA Reduce My TDIU?

Yes, but only with clear and convincing evidence that your condition has improved. If the VA plans to reduce your TDIU, they must notify you and allow 60 days to respond with updated evidence or request a hearing. Benefits may continue for up to a year while this is reviewed.

At Chambers Law Firm, we help veterans understand how TDIU applies to their situation and work to protect the full benefits they’ve earned—especially when PTSD limits employment opportunities.

Once the VA makes a decision, you’ll receive a letter explaining whether your PTSD claim is approved, what your assigned rating is, and whether TDIU (unemployability) was granted if it was part of your claim.

From there, you have options. If you believe the VA made a mistake—either by denying service connection or assigning the wrong rating—you have the right to appeal.

If Service Connection Is Denied

Start by identifying what part of your claim was denied:

• Did the VA question your diagnosis
• Did they doubt the stressor occurred
• Did they deny the connection between the two?

If the issue is with the diagnosis (for example, the VA examiner didn’t find PTSD), consider getting an Independent Medical Examination (IME) from a PTSD specialist. A strong IME should:

• Clearly diagnose PTSD
• Link the condition to your in-service stressor
• Include a “nexus” statement using VA-accepted language, such as: “It is at least as likely as not that the veteran’s PTSD is related to their military service.”

You can also strengthen your case by submitting:

• Additional medical records
• Supporting statements from friends, family, or fellow service members
• Any new evidence of the stressor event

If the VA Assigned the Wrong Rating

If your PTSD was service-connected but underrated, review the VA’s rating criteria and compare it to your symptoms. Even one severe symptom (like suicidal ideation or near-continuous panic) may justify a higher rating.

In your appeal, emphasize how PTSD affects your ability to work, maintain relationships, and manage daily life. This helps show the real impact of your condition, which is what the VA is supposed to consider when assigning a rating.

Navigating the VA Appeals Process

If you decide to appeal, you can choose from three paths under the current system:

• Request a Higher-Level Review
• Submit a Supplemental Claim with new evidence
• Appeal directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals

You typically have one year from the decision date to file your appeal. Each option has pros and cons, so choosing the right one may depend on the details of your case.

At Chambers Law Firm, we help veterans challenge unfair decisions, build stronger appeals, and stay supported through every step of the VA process.

Getting help is a sign of strength. Whether you’re starting your PTSD claim, navigating an appeal, or just need someone to talk to — these trusted organizations can offer the support you need.

National Center for PTSD

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp

Where To Get Help

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp

Veteran Crisis Line

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

RAINN Self Helpline

https://rainn.org/dod-safe-helpline

SAPRO (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office)

https://www.sapr.mil/