PTSD VA Disability Claims
PTSD is among the most underrated VA disabilities. Veterans who qualify for 70% ($1,808/mo) are routinely rated at 30% ($552/mo). The gap is $1,256/month — $15,072 per year, every year.
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How to File a PTSD VA Claim
- 1Get a current PTSD diagnosisYour claim must be supported by a current PTSD diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. VA treatment records or private records both work.
- 2Document your in-service stressorComplete VA Form 21-0781 with a detailed stressor statement. For combat veterans, stressors are presumptive. For MST survivors, corroborating evidence includes personnel records, buddy statements, and behavioral changes.
- 3Identify all secondary conditionsWork with Forged VA Council's AI to identify conditions secondary to PTSD — sleep apnea, depression, hypertension, GERD, erectile dysfunction, substance use. Each adds to your combined rating.
- 4Prepare for your PTSD C&P examKnow the 70% and 100% rating criteria before your exam. Describe symptoms at their worst — including suicidal ideation, memory loss, occupational impairment, and relationship damage.
- 5Submit a complete claim packageForged VA Council assembles your complete PTSD claim package including stressor statement, current diagnosis, buddy statements, and secondary condition claims.
Secondary Conditions Connected to PTSD
Each secondary condition below can be separately rated if medically connected to your service-connected PTSD:
PTSD VA Claim — FAQ
What VA disability rating is PTSD worth?
PTSD is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% depending on the level of occupational and social impairment. The 70% rating is the most common target — it applies to veterans with "deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood." A 100% rating requires total occupational and social impairment.
How do I file a VA claim for PTSD?
To file a VA PTSD claim, you need: (1) a current PTSD diagnosis from a qualified medical professional, (2) documentation of an in-service stressor (the traumatic event during service), and (3) a medical nexus linking your current PTSD to that stressor. VA Form 21-0781 is used to document your stressor statement.
What evidence do I need for a PTSD VA claim?
Required evidence: current PTSD diagnosis, stressor statement (VA Form 21-0781), service records confirming the stressor occurred, current treatment records, buddy statements from people who can describe your symptoms, and ideally a private nexus letter from a qualified provider.
What is a PTSD stressor statement for the VA?
A stressor statement (filed on VA Form 21-0781) describes the traumatic event that caused your PTSD. It should include: date, location, unit, what happened, and names of others present if possible. Combat-related stressors are presumptive — the VA accepts them without independent verification. Non-combat stressors require corroborating evidence.
Can I get 70% or 100% PTSD VA rating?
Yes. A 70% PTSD rating requires showing deficiencies in most areas of life (work, school, family, judgment, thinking, mood) — including symptoms like suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, spatial disorientation, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. A 100% rating requires total occupational and social impairment.
What secondary conditions can I claim with PTSD?
PTSD commonly causes secondary conditions including: sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, GERD, and obesity-related conditions. Each secondary condition that can be medically linked to your service-connected PTSD is separately ratable — these often represent the largest missed rating opportunities.
How does the C&P exam work for PTSD?
The PTSD C&P exam is conducted using the Mental Disorders DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire). The examiner — typically a psychologist or psychiatrist — assesses your PTSD symptoms, their frequency and severity, and how they affect your daily functioning. Describe your worst days, not your average days.
Can Forged VA Council help with my PTSD VA claim?
Yes. Forged VA Council's AI identifies all PTSD rating criteria, helps document secondary conditions, coaches you for the C&P exam, and connects you with VA-accredited attorneys for complex cases. The contingency model means you pay nothing unless benefits are recovered.
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