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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Combat and non-combat PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other service-connected mental health conditions.

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VA Disability Claims for PTSD

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Post-traumatic stress disorder can affect nearly every part of a veteran’s life. For some veterans, the effects may include nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, depression, difficulty sleeping, anger, isolation, problems concentrating, or difficulty maintaining relationships and employment.

If your PTSD is connected to your military service, you may be entitled to VA disability compensation. But establishing service connection and obtaining a fair PTSD disability rating can be difficult, particularly when the traumatic event was never formally reported or your symptoms did not appear until years after leaving the military.

A New Mexico VA disability attorney can help you understand your options, gather relevant evidence, address problems with a denied claim, and pursue the benefits you may be entitled to receive.

VA Disability Compensation for PTSD

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes PTSD as a compensable mental health condition when the requirements for service connection are met.

Generally, a veteran seeking VA disability compensation for PTSD must have:

The VA recognizes a range of traumatic events, including combat experiences, fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, military sexual trauma, physical assault, accidents, witnessing serious injury or death, and other traumatic events that occurred during qualifying service.

You do not necessarily have to have been wounded in combat to qualify for PTSD compensation. The circumstances surrounding your service and the evidence supporting your claim matter.

What PTSD Disability Rating Can I Receive?

VA PTSD ratings are generally assigned under the VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The schedule includes ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%, depending on the severity of the condition and its effect on occupational and social functioning.

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0% PTSD Rating

A 0% rating may apply when PTSD is diagnosed but symptoms do not significantly interfere with work or social functioning or require continuous medication.

10% PTSD Rating

A 10% rating may apply when symptoms are mild or temporary, reduce work efficiency during stressful periods, or are controlled by medication.

30% PTSD Rating

A 30% rating may apply when PTSD occasionally affects work performance but the veteran generally functions satisfactorily. Symptoms may include anxiety, depression, suspiciousness, occasional panic attacks, sleep problems, and mild memory loss.

50% PTSD Rating

A 50% rating may apply when PTSD causes reduced reliability and productivity. Symptoms may include frequent panic attacks, impaired judgment, memory problems, mood disturbances, and difficulty maintaining work or social relationships.

70% PTSD Rating

A 70% rating may apply when PTSD causes significant problems with work, family relationships, judgment, thinking, or mood. Symptoms may include suicidal thoughts, severe depression, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stress, and difficulty maintaining relationships.

100% PTSD Rating

A 100% rating generally requires total occupational and social impairment. Severe symptoms may include major communication or thought problems, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, inability to perform daily activities, severe memory loss, or persistent danger of harm to oneself or others.

VA Disability Compensation for PTSD

Get started with a free case evaluation. No Fee Until We Win.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can affect nearly every part of a veteran’s life. For some veterans, the effects may include nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, depression, difficulty sleeping, anger, isolation, problems concentrating, or difficulty maintaining relationships and employment.

If your PTSD is connected to your military service, you may be entitled to VA disability compensation. But establishing service connection and obtaining a fair PTSD disability rating can be difficult, particularly when the traumatic event was never formally reported or your symptoms did not appear until years after leaving the military.

A New Mexico VA disability attorney can help you understand your options, gather relevant evidence, address problems with a denied claim, and pursue the benefits you may be entitled to receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD VA Disability Claims in New Mexico
How do I qualify for VA disability compensation for PTSD?

Generally, you need a current PTSD diagnosis and evidence connecting the condition to a qualifying event or stressor related to your military service. VA's specific requirements depend on the circumstances of your claim.

Can I receive VA disability for PTSD years after leaving the military?

Potentially, yes. The fact that you were discharged years ago does not automatically prevent you from filing a PTSD disability claim. The evidence must still establish the requirements for service connection.

Do I need to have served in combat to receive PTSD benefits?

No. VA recognizes several types of traumatic events that may support PTSD claims, including certain non-combat events.

What if I never received PTSD treatment while I was in the military?

A lack of in-service mental health treatment does not automatically prevent you from pursuing a claim. Other medical, military, and lay evidence may be relevant depending on the facts.

Can I appeal a VA PTSD rating that is too low?

Potentially. If you believe the VA underestimated the severity of your service-connected PTSD, you may have options to seek review or an increased rating depending on the circumstances and timing of the decision.

Can PTSD qualify me for a 100% VA disability rating?

A 100% PTSD rating is possible when the condition produces the level of total occupational and social impairment required by the VA rating criteria. However, a veteran does not automatically receive 100% because of a PTSD diagnosis alone.