To qualify for the automatic 50% PTSD rating a veteran must be discharged from active service as a result of their PTSD. The veteran must be experiencing enough symptoms that they cannot carry out their military duties, AND those symptoms must have been caused or worsened by a stressor or event during active service.
Highlight Specific Symptoms
For example, if a veteran is experiencing near-continuous panic or depression, they should describe how it affects their relationships, their work, and their overall ability to function independently. These details can indicate that their PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating.
A VA disability rating for PTSD is based on statutes that outline what symptoms meet which level of disability. PTSD is only rated at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% or 100%. It's important to be as honest as you can with the VA examiners about the severity of your symptoms.
Write very clearly, or type on a computer if you can. Describe the traumatic events in the order that they happened. Tell where the event happened, what unit you were in at the time, and when it happened (as best you can). Provide as much detail as you can and also describe the feelings you had about what happened.
70% PTSD Rating Criteria
Speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant. Near-continuous panic or depression affects the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. Impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence) Spatial disorientation.
How to File for a PTSD Rating Increase. If you believe you have the evidence necessary to file for an increased PTSD rating, you must fill out a form for the VA to reevaluate the condition based on the date of your most recent rating decision. If your decision was less than a year old, you can file an appeal.
Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for PTSD
VA disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, but for PTSD claims, the standard ratings are 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. These ratings are meant to capture the severity of your condition, and how much it affects your ability to work and take care of everyday life stuff.
PTSD disability ratings can be 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%. Transparency about your worst symptoms is vital for your rating. VA often rates veterans by the average of their symptoms. So, if a veteran has such symptoms that fall in the 30, 50, and 70% PTSD rating ranges, they will often get a 50% PTSD rating.
50% — Veteran experiences a significant decrease in productivity and struggle to maintain relationships as a result of more severe PTSD symptoms; roughly 25.9% of PTSD claim recipients have a 50 PTSD rating.
The VA denies around 30% of disability claims each year. It can be frustrating to learn that your claim for VA compensation was denied. You may feel like you did everything they asked of you and provided all the evidence necessary to get the disability compensation you deserve.
Can I work with a 100 PTSD rating? Yes! You can still work with a 100 percent scheduler PTSD rating. Veterans with a 100 VA disability from the VA for PTSD also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation.
So, if you're underrated for PTSD, the #1 way to get a PTSD increase is to show the VA Rater through new and relevant medical evidence HOW your mental health symptoms have become worse. The best way to do that is by getting a Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ) for PTSD Review from a private medical provider.
One of the most common reasons the VA gives for denying PTSD claims is lack of evidence. Obtaining the evidence the VA wants to see to approve a claim can be a challenge; however, it is possible. A knowledgeable PTSD appeals attorney can help veterans present a compelling application while saving them time and stress.
If you submit a VA Fully Developed Claim (FDC) in 2022—meaning—all the evidence is uploaded in support of your claim, you'll likely get a claim decision in 90-120 days (3-4 months) from submission to award.
Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS)
The DTS is a 17-item, Likert-scale, self-report instrument that assesses the 17 DSM-IV symptoms of PTSD. Both a frequency and a severity score can be determined. The DTS can be used to make a preliminary determination about whether the symptoms meet DSM-IV criteria for PTSD.
The other symptoms included in the 70% PTSD criteria already make it very difficult to work and maintain employment and the VA understands which is why TDIU benefits exist.
The veteran's total disability due to PTSD is permanent with no likelihood of improvement. The 100 percent rating for PTSD is total, permanent, and static in nature.
Those writing lay statements should explain what they have personally observed or witnessed about the veteran's condition, daily life, or the in-service event that occurred. They should always sign and date the document and indicate how and why they have personal knowledge about the veteran's situation.
serious accidents. physical or sexual assault. abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse. exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure.
Being open and honest can be the best course of action
As a best practice, you want to ensure you are educated on PTSD and how it affects you by being prepared to talk about your specific triggers in order to answer any questions an employer may have.
Now, symptoms of PTSD can interfere with the individual's ability to work in numerous ways. These include memory problems, lack of concentration, poor relationships with coworkers, trouble staying awake, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, emotional outbursts while at work, flashbacks, and absenteeism.