FWD Assist HQ
Companion Toolkit

The VA PTSD Claims Playbook

How to File, Document, and Win VA Disability Compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Your Toolkit Includes

Editable guides, templates, trackers, and calculators designed to be used alongside the book. Each file mirrors a concept or chapter from the guide — download what you need, fill it in, and build your claim package at your own pace.

The VA PTSD Claims Playbook

FWD Assist Publishing

Built by Joshua Christopherson. VA disability claims educator. Air Force and Air National Guard disabled veteran with hands-on VSO experience.

Get the one-page PTSD filing master checklist.

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About This Topic

A complete guide to VA disability claims for PTSD, covering the stressor statement, the in-service event documentation requirements, the C&P exam process for mental health, and how the VA rates PTSD using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

What the Book Covers

Key topics and takeaways from The VA PTSD Claims Playbook:

How to write and document a stressor statement
What the VA requires for in-service event documentation
How to prepare for a mental health C&P exam
How the VA rates PTSD and what your symptoms actually support

Who This Is For

  • Veterans filing a PTSD claim for the first time
  • Veterans with a PTSD rating they believe is too low
  • Veterans preparing for a C&P exam for mental health
  • Anyone who needs to understand PTSD rating criteria

Download the Entire Toolkit

All 24 files in one zip · 0.3 MB

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Companion Toolkit

24 files for The VA PTSD Claims Playbook — Organized by when you need them in the claims process.

Assessment & Preparation

4 files

PCL5 Self Score Sheet

Self-score the PCL-5 PTSD screening tool to track symptom severity

8 KB

PTSD Rating Level Mapper

Map your PTSD symptoms to the 0-100% rating levels under 38 CFR 4.130

8 KB

PTSD Regulatory Reference

Quick reference to PTSD-specific VA regulations and case law

11 KB

VA Forms Guide PTSD

Guide to the VA forms required at each stage of a PTSD claim

11 KB

Evidence Building

11 files

C&P Exam PTSD Battle Plan

C&P exam preparation specific to PTSD evaluations and stressor verification

12 KB

C-File Request Guide Tracker

Request and track your VA C-File to verify what evidence VA already has

10 KB

Evidence Tracking Matrix

Matrix for tracking evidence by condition, type, and submission status

7 KB

Medical Appointment Log

Track every medical appointment, provider, and what was discussed

11 KB

MST Claims Evidence Kit

Build the alternative evidence package for Military Sexual Trauma claims

12 KB

Nexus Letter Builder

Draft a nexus letter using the three-element framework VA raters look for

39 KB

PTSD C&P Exam Advanced Kit

Advanced C&P exam preparation for PTSD with stressor and symptom strategy

15 KB

PTSD Evidence Package Builder

Assemble the complete evidence package VA needs to rate your claim

11 KB

PTSD Stressor Verification Kit

Document your PTSD stressor event with the detail VA requires

11 KB

PTSD Symptom Journal

Daily journal for tracking PTSD symptoms with frequency and severity

12 KB

Stressor Verification Guide

Verify your stressor event using military records and alternative sources

8 KB

Statements & Letters

2 files

Buddy Statement Builder

Guide a buddy through writing a lay statement that supports your claim

39 KB

Stressor Statement Builder

Build a stressor statement with the specificity VA requires for PTSD claims

15 KB

Filing & Submission

2 files

PTSD Filing Master Checklist

Master checklist for filing a PTSD claim from stressor through decision

11 KB

Secondary Conditions From PTSD

Identify secondary conditions commonly caused by service-connected PTSD

11 KB

Tracking & Monitoring

3 files

Claims Master Tracker

Track every claim, rating, effective date, and status in one master spreadsheet

11 KB

Deadline Date Tracker

Log every VA deadline and window so nothing expires unnoticed

9 KB

PTSD Back Pay Calculator

Calculate potential retroactive pay based on rating and effective date

7 KB

Appeals & Reviews

2 files

Appeal Lane Selection Guide

Decide between HLR, supplemental claim, and Board appeal for your situation

12 KB

Rating Decision Error Checker

Check your rating decision for common VA errors that support an appeal

11 KB

How to Use This Toolkit

Every file is yours to keep. The Word documents (.docx) are your guides, templates, and letter builders — open them, fill in your information, and use them with your claim. The spreadsheets (.xlsx) are your trackers and calculators — they include real formulas that do the math for you. Save them to your computer and update them as your situation changes.

Back to Book Details

Related Topics

VA Mental Health Claims Beyond PTSD

How to File VA Disability Claims for Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, and Every Other Ratable Mental Health Condition

Military Sexual Trauma VA Claims

The Complete Guide to VA Disability Benefits for Military Sexual Trauma Survivors

The VA C&P Exam Playbook

The Complete Guide to Preparing for Your VA C&P Exam and Getting the Rating You Deserve

Disclaimer: FWD Assist HQ and FWD Assist Publishing provide educational resources only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, medical advice, or accredited representation. Always consult with an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer for personalized guidance.