PTSD: VA claim review preparation
Separate a disputed diagnosis, the in-service traumatic event, and the connection between them. A rating disagreement needs evidence of actual occupational and social effects.

Start with the notice
- Keep the complete decision notice, the reasons for each denied issue, favorable findings, evidence list, and instructions for review. Separate a denied service connection from a dispute about the percentage or effective date.
- Mark which disputed fact each record addresses. For an HLR, point to evidence already in the record; a Supplemental Claim requires new and relevant evidence. Verify the available lane before sending anything.
- Keep a copy of the form, attachments and filing receipt. These preparation notes do not file a claim or establish that VA received it.

Condition-specific records to gather
- Gather the mental-health diagnosis, relevant treatment records and the examination discussed in the decision.
- Compare the event described in your statement with the service records and any supporting statements. VA Form 21-0781 can document an in-service traumatic event; different PTSD stressors can have different evidence rules.
- Ask the treating professional or accredited representative to identify the exact missing link in the denial. Record concrete effects on work, relationships and daily functioning without rewriting symptoms to match a rating.

The public PTSD Review DBQ is not the initial PTSD examination. VA lists Initial PTSD among the DBQs unavailable for public use. Do not assume every claim needs the same stressor proof.

Notes for you and your representative:
Disputed issue:
Record / date / what it addresses:
Missing information:
Next step and filing receipt:

U.S. federal VA benefits. Educational preparation, not medical or legal advice; not a VA form or a filing. Keep your completed copy private. A historical Board outcome does not predict your result.
Official sources reviewed 2026-10-07:
VA: evidence needed for a disability claim: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/
VA: disability compensation for PTSD: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/ptsd/
VA: public Disability Benefits Questionnaires and their limits: https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp
https://www.veterans-rights.com/appeal-options
https://www.veterans-rights.com/deadlines
https://www.veterans-rights.com/find-a-rep