Your PTSD VA rating is one of the most consequential numbers in your entire claim — and one of the most misunderstood. Two veterans with the exact same diagnosis can end up with very different ratings, because the VA doesn’t rate the trauma or even the symptom list. It rates how much PTSD impairs your ability to work and function socially. Understanding that distinction is the key to getting a rating that reflects reality.
Quick disclaimer: This is general educational information, not legal advice. PTSD claims can be complex — talk to an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or attorney about your specific case. If any part of this brings up difficult feelings, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
How the PTSD VA Rating Works
PTSD is rated under 38 CFR 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411, using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The VA assigns one of six levels — 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% — based on the degree of “occupational and social impairment” your symptoms cause.
Here is the single most important rule, and the one most veterans miss: the symptoms listed at each level are examples, not a checklist. You don’t need every symptom listed to qualify for a level, and you can qualify with symptoms that aren’t listed — as long as your overall impairment matches the level described. The rating follows the impairment, not a tally of symptoms.
What Each Rating Level Means
- 0%: PTSD is formally diagnosed, but symptoms aren’t severe enough to interfere with work or social life or to require continuous medication.
- 10%: Mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of 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 tasks — though generally functioning satisfactorily.
- 50%: Reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms like impaired memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships.
- 70%: Deficiencies in most areas — work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. This level often involves symptoms like near-continuous panic or depression, difficulty adapting to stress, and an inability to maintain effective relationships.
- 100%: Total occupational and social impairment, due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes, persistent danger to self or others, or inability to perform activities of daily living.
In 2026, a 100% rating pays $3,938.58 per month for a single veteran. The jump from 50% to 70%, or 70% to 100%, represents a large change in monthly compensation — which is why getting the rating right matters so much.
One note looking ahead: the VA has signaled possible changes to the mental health rating schedule, potentially moving toward a domain-based system. As of now, the formula above is what applies — but it’s worth staying aware that mental health rating rules may evolve.
The C&P Exam Is Where Your Rating Is Decided
For PTSD more than almost any condition, the C&P exam drives the rating. The examiner is assessing your level of impairment, so the worst mistake is minimizing your symptoms. Describe your bad days and your typical impairment honestly — not your best day. Our guide on how to prepare for a C&P exam walks through this in detail, and it applies doubly to mental health exams.
PTSD and the Bigger Picture
A few connected points worth knowing:
- PTSD drives many secondary conditions. Sleep apnea, GERD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are commonly claimed as secondary conditions to PTSD or its medication.
- Your PTSD rating combines with others using VA math. Understanding how VA math works helps you see how a PTSD rating fits into your overall percentage.
- If PTSD keeps you from working, you may qualify for TDIU — paid at the 100% rate — even without a 100% PTSD rating.
The Bottom Line
Your PTSD VA rating is a measure of impairment, not a label for your diagnosis. The levels run 0/10/30/50/70/100, and the symptoms at each are examples — what matters is how PTSD affects your work and your life overall. Be honest and complete at your C&P exam, document how it actually impacts you, and understand how the rating connects to secondaries, VA math, and TDIU. You can read the VA’s official overview on VA.gov’s PTSD page.
This article discusses PTSD and mental health. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone — the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988, then press 1.