VA disability ratings for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) range from 0% to 100%, with specific increments representing the severity of the condition. The standard ratings are 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%.
These ratings are determined by evaluating the impact of PTSD on your ability to work and function in daily life. The VA considers various factors when assigning a rating, including the severity and frequency of symptoms, the level of social and occupational impairment, and the need for medication.
Here's a breakdown of what each rating generally signifies:
- 0%: A diagnosis of PTSD is present, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning, or medication is required, but the symptoms are well-controlled.
- 30%: PTSD symptoms are present and cause occupational and social impairment, although the veteran is generally able to function satisfactorily. Examples include depressed mood, anxiety, mild memory problems, and occasional panic attacks.
- 50%: PTSD symptoms result in considerable impairment in social and occupational functioning. The veteran may experience flattened affect, circumstantial or tangential speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective relationships.
- 70%: PTSD symptoms cause significant impairment in most areas, including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The veteran may experience suicidal ideation, obsessive rituals, near-continuous panic or depression, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
- 100%: PTSD symptoms cause total occupational and social impairment. This may include gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, disorientation to time or place, memory loss, and a danger of hurting themselves or others.
It is important to remember that these are general guidelines, and the specific criteria for each rating are outlined in the VA's rating schedule. To get an accurate understanding of how your symptoms translate into a specific rating, consult with a qualified VA disability attorney or advocate.
