VA Disability for PTSD: Ratings, Evidence & Secondary Conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A mental-health condition that can follow a traumatic event in service; combat or a verified stressor can support service connection. is one of the most common — and most under-rated — VA disability claims. It is evaluated on how much it impairs your work and social life, and it drives several frequently missed A condition caused or made worse by another service-connected condition (for example, depression secondary to chronic back pain). It can be claimed even if it didn't start in service. conditions.
Tap any underlined term for a plain-English definition.
How the VA rates PTSD
PTSD is rated under 38 CFR 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411 (ratings of 0%-100%). Each criterion below is transcribed verbatim from the VA rating schedule and verified against the regulation (eCFR / Cornell LII), never paraphrased.
0%
A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.
10%
Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication.
30%
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
50%
Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
70%
Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood).
100%
Total occupational and social impairment.
Common conditions A condition caused or made worse by another service-connected condition (for example, depression secondary to chronic back pain). It can be claimed even if it didn't start in service. to PTSD
Veterans routinely under-claim because they don't know a secondary condition exists. These are commonly claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD, each is a candidate to raise with your provider, not an automatic grant, and each needs a medical nexus opinion.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD — disrupted sleep, weight gain, and autonomic changes are recognized contributors. Needs a nexus opinion linking the apnea to the PTSD.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is commonly secondary to a service-connected mental-health condition or its medications (SSRIs). May also support SMC-K (loss of use of a creative organ).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is often claimed secondary to a mental-health condition or its medications. Needs a nexus opinion.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Chronic stress from a service-connected mental-health condition is a recognized contributor to hypertension.
Depressive disorder (comorbid mental-health condition)
Depression frequently co-occurs with PTSD and other service-connected mental-health conditions. Note that under 38 CFR §4.130 the VA generally rates all mental-health conditions under a SINGLE evaluation, so this may be part of your existing MH rating rather than a separately-rated secondary. Discuss with your provider or representative whether it's a distinct secondary needing its own nexus opinion or part of your current mental-health evaluation.
Migraine / tension headaches
Migraines/tension headaches are one of the most commonly claimed secondaries to a service-connected mental-health condition, tinnitus, or a cervical-spine condition. With a nexus opinion linking them to the primary condition, they can be claimed and rated separately; the actual rating depends on the documented frequency and severity of prostrating attacks.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS is frequently claimed secondary to a service-connected mental-health condition (gut-brain axis) or its medications. Needs a nexus opinion.
Substance use disorder
A substance use disorder can be service-connected as secondary to a service-connected mental-health condition (self-medication). Sensitive but recognized; needs a nexus opinion.
Evidence the VA looks for
A strong PTSD claim ties a current diagnosis to your service with a medical nexus. The records that move a PTSD claim, in priority order:
- A current PTSD diagnosis from a qualified clinician (DSM-5 criteria)
- An in-service stressor — the event that caused the PTSD — and any documentation of it (incident reports, unit records, deployment dates, or a buddy statement)
- A nexus opinion linking the PTSD to the in-service stressor
- Treatment records, therapy notes, and prescribed medications showing severity over time
- Lay/buddy statements describing how symptoms affect your daily work and relationships
The Compensation & Pension exam. A VA-arranged medical exam used to evaluate your claimed condition and how severe it is. Showing up and describing your worst days matters. exam and the The medical link between an injury or event during your service and your current diagnosed condition. A nexus opinion is written and signed by a licensed clinician, not by you or this app.
For most PTSD claims the VA schedules a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. The examiner measures the things the rating schedule turns on and gives a medical opinion on whether your PTSD is at least as likely as not connected to your service (the “nexus”). Knowing what the examiner will assess, and bringing the evidence above, is the single biggest thing you control. Prepare for the exam and check that your records support a nexus before you file.
How VA Disability Pro helps with your PTSD claim
- AI record analysis. Upload your medical records and DD-214 and let the AI surface the evidence, and the secondary conditions, that support a PTSD claim.
- Combined-rating estimator. Estimate your §4.25 combined rating and monthly payment with PTSD and your other conditions (free, no signup).
- Presumptive & qualify checks. See whether PTSD may be A condition the VA automatically assumes is linked to your service if you had certain exposures or service (like Agent Orange or burn pits), so you usually don't need a nexus opinion to connect it. under the PACT Act and what else you may qualify to claim.
You may be leaving benefits unclaimed
Conditions and benefits you might be missing
Veterans with a profile like yours are often under-rated. Based on what you entered, these are commonly-claimed items you did not list. Each could raise an estimate, but the VA decides every claim on your evidence.
Obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD — disrupted sleep, weight gain, and autonomic changes are recognized contributors. Needs a nexus opinion linking the apnea to the PTSD.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is commonly secondary to a service-connected mental-health condition or its medications (SSRIs). May also support SMC-K (loss of use of a creative organ).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is often claimed secondary to a mental-health condition or its medications. Needs a nexus opinion.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Chronic stress from a service-connected mental-health condition is a recognized contributor to hypertension.
Depressive disorder (comorbid mental-health condition)
Depression frequently co-occurs with PTSD and other service-connected mental-health conditions. Note that under 38 CFR §4.130 the VA generally rates all mental-health conditions under a SINGLE evaluation, so this may be part of your existing MH rating rather than a separately-rated secondary. Discuss with your provider or representative whether it's a distinct secondary needing its own nexus opinion or part of your current mental-health evaluation.
Migraine / tension headaches
Migraines/tension headaches are one of the most commonly claimed secondaries to a service-connected mental-health condition, tinnitus, or a cervical-spine condition. With a nexus opinion linking them to the primary condition, they can be claimed and rated separately; the actual rating depends on the documented frequency and severity of prostrating attacks.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS is frequently claimed secondary to a service-connected mental-health condition (gut-brain axis) or its medications. Needs a nexus opinion.
Substance use disorder
A substance use disorder can be service-connected as secondary to a service-connected mental-health condition (self-medication). Sensitive but recognized; needs a nexus opinion.
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Educational estimates only. Not a guarantee, not a VA determination, not legal advice, and not affiliated with the VA. Eligibility is decided by the VA on your evidence.
PTSD VA disability: frequently asked questions
- What is the average VA rating for PTSD?
- PTSD is rated at 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR 4.130). The level depends entirely on how much your symptoms impair your occupational and social functioning — not on a specific symptom checklist.
- Can I get 100% for PTSD?
- A 100% schedular rating requires total occupational and social impairment. Many veterans who cannot maintain employment due to PTSD instead qualify for TDIU (total disability based on individual unemployability), which pays at the 100% rate without a 100% schedular evaluation.
- What conditions are secondary to PTSD?
- Sleep apnea, GERD, hypertension, migraines, erectile dysfunction, and IBS are among the conditions most commonly claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD. Each needs a medical nexus opinion linking it to the PTSD.
- Do I need to prove my stressor for a PTSD claim?
- Usually yes, though the VA has relaxed stressor-verification rules for combat, fear of hostile activity, and military sexual trauma. A clear nexus opinion connecting a verified or conceded stressor to your diagnosis is the core of a strong claim.
Informational only and not a guarantee of any rating or outcome. The criteria above are quoted from the VA rating schedule; your actual rating depends on a C&P exam and the evidence in your file, and the VA makes the final decision. This is not medical or legal advice. VA Disability Pro is an independent platform, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and not an accredited representative.