PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
PTSD is one of the most-claimed VA disabilities. Service connection usually turns on a verified in-service stressor plus a current diagnosis; for combat or fear-of-hostile-activity stressors the evidence bar is often lower. It is rated on occupational and social impairment.
Across 15,358 real Board appeals for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
65% were granted, partly granted, or remanded.
A denial is often not the end — remands are sent back for more development and frequently end in a grant.
- Granted 22%
- Partly granted 19%
- Remanded 23%
- Denied 27%
What tends to win
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) was linked to service:
- Direct service connection5,289
- Reopened with new & material evidence542
- Secondary to another service-connected condition207
How it’s rated, in practice
When PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) was granted, the rating most often assigned was:
- 70% (1,503)
- 100% (1,376)
- 50% (387)
- 30% (134)
- 10% (100)
Presumptive & exposure paths
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
- Gulf War136
- Agent Orange / herbicides118
- PACT Act101
- Camp Lejeune water42
- Burn pits & airborne hazards32
Real decisions
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder with social anxiety disorder and PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
What you can do next
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.