VA PTSD Rating: How 38 CFR § 4.130 DC 9411 Determines Your Disability Percentage

What the VA Uses to Rate PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is rated under Diagnostic Code 9411, which falls under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders in 38 CFR § 4.130. That formula applies to all mental health conditions the VA rates. The rating levels are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. There is no 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% for mental health conditions under this formula.

The VA assigns the rating that most closely reflects the average impairment in earning capacity caused by your condition. In practice, the rater looks at your C&P exam report, your treatment records, and any lay statements you submitted, then matches your documented symptoms to the criteria in the rating schedule. If you want to understand how to build a claim that reflects your real impairment, the VA PTSD Claims Playbook breaks down the entire process from service connection to rating.

The Rating Levels Under DC 9411

Here is what the VA is looking for at each level. These are the regulatory criteria in 38 CFR § 4.130 — not suggestions.

10 Percent

Mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. If your PTSD is well-managed and you are still working without major disruption, this is where the VA tends to land.

30 Percent

Occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, although generally functioning satisfactorily. Symptoms at this level include depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.

50 Percent

Reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, impaired short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

70 Percent

Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas — work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood — due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The 70% rating is where many veterans with serious, chronic PTSD belong. It is also the most commonly under-assigned rating. If your symptoms match this list but you received a 50%, that is worth a second look. Avoiding the 5 common VA claim mistakes during your C&P exam can make the difference between these two levels.

100 Percent

Total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, persistent danger of hurting self or others, and disorientation to time or place.

How the C&P Exam Drives Your Rating

The C&P examiner does not assign your rating — the rater does. But the examiner's report is the primary document the rater uses. The examiner completes a PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) that maps your symptoms directly to the language in 38 CFR § 4.130.

This is why preparation matters. You need to describe your worst days, not your best. The VA is rating your average level of impairment, and if you minimize your symptoms during the exam, the report will not capture the full picture. The VA C&P Exam Playbook walks through exactly how to communicate your symptoms accurately. Key things the examiner is documenting:

• Frequency and severity of panic attacks
• Sleep impairment and its effect on daily function
• Ability to maintain employment and relationships
• Suicidal or homicidal ideation, current or historical
• Impulse control issues and irritability

What to Do If Your Rating Does Not Match Your Symptoms

If your PTSD rating does not reflect how your condition actually affects your life, you have options. A Supplemental Claim lets you submit new and relevant evidence — updated treatment records, a private nexus letter, or a personal statement documenting symptom progression. A Higher-Level Review asks a senior rater to look at the same evidence for clear errors.

The most important thing you can do right now is pull your C&P exam report from your VA records and compare the documented symptoms against the rating criteria above. If the examiner documented 70% symptoms but you received 50%, that is a clear error worth challenging. Know the criteria. Document your symptoms. Do not let the VA rate you on your best day.