How To File a VA Claim for PTSD
CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs due to experiencing a distressing, shocking, or otherwise traumatic event. Many veterans develop PTSD from events they witnessed or experienced during their military service.
While the symptoms and severity of PTSD can vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are:
- Intrusive thoughts – Those with PTSD may experience repeated, involuntary memories, distressing dreams, or vivid flashbacks of the trauma.
- Avoidance – A person with PTSD may feel moved to avoid people, places, activities, or situations that could trigger memories of their trauma.
- Negative thoughts and feelings – PTSD can cause a person to feel overwhelmed with negative emotions or beliefs about oneself. They may also experience feelings of perpetual fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame. They may feel detached from others and lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
- Arousal and reactive symptoms – Those with PTSD may experience irritability and angry outbursts. They may also behave in a reckless or self-destructive way, could be easily startled, and may have difficulty concentrating or sleeping.
According to the VA FY2025 Annual Benefits Report, over 1.7 million veterans currently receive VA disability compensation for PTSD, making this condition the fifth-most prevalent service-connected disability among veterans receiving VA compensation.
Who We Are: Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick (CCK Law) has argued many of the cases that define and clarify veterans disability law. Our attorneys serve in many leadership positions and have posted more than 2,500 blogs and 1,100 videos explaining veterans benefits. With 100+ individuals accredited by VA or admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, CCK Law has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for 36,000+ clients since 1999. (Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.) Contact us to tell us about your case.
How Can Veterans Pursue VA Service Connection for PTSD?
Veterans who experienced a distressing or traumatic event during service and have PTSD symptoms as a result may qualify for VA disability compensation. To qualify for VA benefits for PTSD, veterans must have evidence of all three of the following things:
- A current diagnosis of PTSD by a medical professional
- An in-service event, injury, or illness that led to PTSD (VA refers to PTSD-causing events as “stressors.” Some examples include exposure to death or injury, the threat of great peril, or assault)
- A medical opinion, or “nexus,” linking the veteran’s current diagnosis to the in-service event
Watch CCK Law Partner Maura Black, Supervising Attorney Alyse Phillips, and VA-Accredited Claims Advocate Nicholas Briggs explain PTSD stressors for VA disability benefits:
How Do Veterans File a VA Disability Claim for PTSD?
To get disability compensation, veterans must file a claim with VA. There is an added step with PTSD claims.
- First, veterans should download and fill out VA Form 21-526EZ. This can be submitted via mail to the Claims Intake Center, in person at the closest VA regional office, or electronically through VA’s website.
- In addition to the claim form, VA suggests that veterans seeking PTSD benefits also fill out and submit VA Form 21-0781 – Statement in Support of Claimed Mental Health Disorder(s) Due to an In-Service Traumatic Event(s).
What Evidence Should Be Considered for a PTSD VA Claim?
VA has a “duty to assist” veterans in developing their claims. This means that VA is required to help gather evidence on their behalf. However, veterans should include or request evidence that might be helpful.
Medical and Service Records
Service personnel records, service medical records, and VA medical records can be highly relevant to a PTSD claim. These can help illustrate when a veteran encountered a stressor, when a veteran began to exhibit symptoms of PTSD, et cetera.
Lay Evidence
Another form of evidence that can be highly useful for PTSD claims is lay evidence, or personal statements written by a veteran or someone familiar with the veteran’s situation (e.g., friends, family, coworkers, etc.).
Veterans can detail their PTSD symptoms in a lay statement to strengthen their claim for benefits. Lay statements can also be used to fill in gaps and better illustrate the severity of a veteran’s PTSD.
Learn More:
- How To Use Lay Evidence for VA Disability Claims
- How To Write a Strong Statement in Support of Claim for VA Benefits
Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams
After filing a disability claim for PTSD, VA typically schedules the veteran for a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. VA uses C&P exams to determine if a nexus exists between the diagnosis and the veteran’s military service. Examiners also use C&P exams to assess the severity of the symptoms and decide a disability rating, which determines the amount of monthly compensation (see VA Ratings for PTSD, below).
It is important to go to every scheduled C&P exam, as VA may deny a veteran’s claim if they fail to attend an exam. If a veteran is unable to attend, they should inform VA as soon as possible. If they accidentally miss an exam, they should be sure to contact VA as soon as possible to try to reschedule.
Medical Nexus Letters
While VA may use a C&P exam to determine a nexus for PTSD, veterans can also fulfill this requirement by having a medical professional write a nexus letter for their claim. Nexus letters can be submitted with a veteran’s initial claim, during claim development, or during the appeals process. A nexus letter can also be beneficial if a veteran received a negative C&P exam.
A strong nexus letter should be written by a licensed professional in the appropriate field and reference the veteran’s service medical records, personnel records, and medical history. The nexus letter must also address whether it is “at least as likely as not” that the veteran’s PTSD was incurred during or caused by service and include rationale supporting the determination.
What Are the VA Ratings for PTSD?
VA ratings determine the amount of monthly compensation and other benefits that VA gives to a veteran.
PTSD ratings are based on VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, 38 CFR § 4.130, diagnostic code 9411. VA rates PTSD at a 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100 percent. The more severe the symptoms are, the higher the disability rating. Generally, PTSD ratings are based on the level of social and occupational impairment, as well as the frequency, duration, and severity of symptoms.
Did VA Deny Your PTSD Disability Claim?
If you disagree with a VA decision, consider contacting Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick. An experienced, VA-accredited law firm may offer significant tools and resources in support of your appeal.
While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, CCK Law has had favorable outcomes in 98.5% of its actions before VA and a 95% win rate before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (federal court). We have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for 36,000+ clients to date.
Contact us online or at 800-544-9144 to tell us about your case.
Need Help Right Now? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line is a 24/7 resource available to veterans, service members, and their family members and friends. For immediate assistance, use the confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text messaging service.
Veterans can access the Veterans Crisis Line in several ways:
- Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
- Send a text message to 838255.
- Start a confidential online chat session at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
- Locate a VA facility in your area.
- If you are an active duty service member, guardsman, or reservist, visit MilitaryCrisisLine.net.
