PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Diagnostic Code 9411.
Overview
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event, such as combat, an accident, or military sexual trauma. Symptoms can include nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance, irritability, and trouble sleeping. VA lists specific evidence rules for PTSD claims, including rules about the in service stressor.
How VA rates it
Diagnostic Code 9411 · 38 CFR 4.130
Here is a plain language summary of the rating levels in the regulation. Read the official text for the exact wording.
| Rating | Summary of the criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment. |
| 70% | Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. |
| 50% | Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. |
| 10% | Mild or transient symptoms that affect work only during significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. |
| 0% | A formal diagnosis, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with work and social functioning or to require continuous medication. |
VA rates nearly all mental health conditions under the same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders in 38 CFR 4.130.
Common secondary connections
These are conditions often discussed in connection with PTSD. A secondary claim generally needs medical evidence that one condition caused or worsened another. This list is general education, not a suggestion about any claim.
- Sleep apnea
- Migraine
- Hypertension
- GERD
- Erectile dysfunction
- Alcohol or substance use issues (VA has specific rules on these)
Presumptive notes
VA explains the PTSD stressor rules, including combat, fear of hostile military activity, and military sexual trauma, on its PTSD eligibility page. Read the full eligibility rules on VA.gov.
Evidence veterans generally gather
VA describes evidence types in its evidence guide. For this condition, veterans often collect:
- Records or statements describing the in service stressor
- Mental health treatment records
- A current diagnosis from a medical provider
- Service treatment records and personnel records
- VA and private treatment records
- Statements from you, family, or fellow service members (lay statements)
- A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed by a provider, if available
Official source
Rating levels: 38 CFR 4.130 on eCFR. Rules change; always confirm the current text.
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