What CFR section governs PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) ratings?

38 CFR 4.130 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Always verify current criteria at va.gov before filing.

VA Disability Rating Guide

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) — VA disability rating

38 CFR 4.130 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

Top-claimed mental health condition. Rated 0/10/30/50/70/100% under 38 CFR 4.130 General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

Rating tiers

Diagnosed but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning. No medication required.

$ pay rate at 0% →

10%

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, OR symptoms controlled by continuous medication.

$ pay rate at 10% →

30%

Occasional decrease in work efficiency + intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss).

$ pay rate at 30% →

50%

Reduced reliability and productivity (flattened affect, panic attacks more than once weekly, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short and long-term memory, impaired judgment, abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood).

$ pay rate at 50% →

70%

Deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family, judgment, thinking, mood). Suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals interfering with routine, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene.

$ pay rate at 70% →

100%

Total occupational and social impairment. Gross impairment in thought processes/communication, persistent delusions/hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self/others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

$ pay rate at 100% →

Evidence checklist

In-service stressor documentation (combat orders, MEPS records of trauma exposure)
C&P (Compensation and Pension) examination by a VA psychiatrist
Treatment records — VA mental health, private psychiatrist, or therapist
VA Form 21-0781 (Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD) — describe the stressor in detail
For combat-related PTSD: combat orders OR Combat Action Ribbon/Badge ARE sufficient stressor evidence (no need for "buddy statement")
For MST-related PTSD: VA Form 21-0781a, with "markers" (transfer requests, STD testing, behavioral records) accepted as evidence

Common filing mistakes

Filing without a stressor statement (21-0781) — claim will be denied or under-rated
Not requesting a TDIU evaluation if PTSD prevents working — could pay at 100% rate even with 70% schedular
Failing to claim secondary conditions (insomnia, GAD, substance abuse) which can be combined with PTSD
Filing PTSD claim without documenting the in-service stressor with specific dates/locations

How to file

File VA Form 21-526EZ with the diagnosis evidence above. A free CVSO will assemble your claim and file it on your behalf at no cost.

VA Form 21-526EZ → Find a free CVSO →

In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Filing mental-health claims can be re-traumatizing — please reach out for support if you need it.

Related conditions

Other VA rating guides

About this guide

VA disability rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). Criteria are subject to revision; always verify current rules at va.gov/disability/ before filing. This page is informational and is not a substitute for personalized advice from a CVSO, VSO representative, or VA-accredited attorney. Free claim help available from CVSOs and VSOs in every U.S. county.