How to Increase Your VA PTSD Rating in 2026

Why Veterans Get Underrated for PTSD

PTSD ratings are assigned based on the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9411). The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% based on how severely your symptoms affect your occupational and social functioning.

The most common reason veterans get rated too low: the C&P exam didn't capture the full picture. Examiners often spend 30–60 minutes with a veteran who has been managing symptoms for years. If you minimized your symptoms during that exam — as many veterans do — you likely got a lower rating than you deserve.

Other common causes of underrating include:

• The examiner didn't document all symptoms listed in the DSM-5 criteria
• Your treatment records were incomplete or not submitted
• Secondary conditions (sleep apnea, depression, alcohol use disorder) weren't linked to PTSD
• The VA used an older exam and your symptoms have worsened

Step 1 — Request Your C&P Exam Records

Before you file for an increase, get a copy of your most recent C&P exam. The examiner's notes are the primary document the VA rater uses. You're entitled to these records under the Freedom of Information Act.

Request them by submitting VA Form 20-10206 (Request for Personally Identifiable Information) or by calling 1-800-827-1000. Once you have the exam, read it carefully. Look for:

• Symptoms that were discussed but not documented
• A GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) score that seems higher than your actual functioning
• Language like "mild" or "well-controlled" that doesn't match your experience
• Missing secondary diagnoses (insomnia, depression, anxiety)

Step 2 — Gather New and Relevant Evidence

To win a supplemental claim for a rating increase, you need new and relevant evidence — something the VA didn't have when they made their last decision. This can include:

• Private medical opinions — A letter from your psychiatrist or psychologist documenting current symptom severity is powerful evidence. Ask them to specifically address the rating criteria language (occupational functioning, social functioning, frequency of panic attacks, etc.)
• Buddy statements (VA Form 21-4142a) — Friends, family members, or fellow veterans who witness your symptoms can submit written statements. These carry real weight.
• Your own personal statement — A detailed written statement describing how your PTSD affects your daily life, work, and relationships. Be specific — describe specific incidents, frequency of nightmares, avoidance behaviors, rage episodes, etc.
• Employment records — Termination letters, performance reviews, or a letter from an employer documenting PTSD-related issues at work.
• Hospitalization or crisis records — If you've had inpatient psychiatric treatment or been to the ER for mental health, these records should be submitted.

Step 3 — File a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995)

A supplemental claim is the fastest path to a rating increase if you have new evidence. Unlike an appeal, you don't need to argue the VA made a legal error — you just need to show them something they didn't see before.

File VA Form 20-0995 and attach all your new evidence. The VA is required to review supplemental claims within 125 days under the AMA (Appeals Modernization Act) framework.

Key tips when filing:

• List every piece of new evidence in the form's evidence section
• Request a new C&P exam — you can do this in writing with your supplemental claim
• Send everything certified mail with return receipt, or through your VSO to get a date-stamped copy

Step 4 — Request a New C&P Exam

If it's been more than a year since your last C&P exam, or if your symptoms have significantly worsened, request a new exam explicitly in your supplemental claim. The VA is required to schedule one if the evidence warrants it.

Prepare for the exam by:

• Writing down specific symptoms and incidents before the appointment — don't rely on memory under stress
• Bringing a printed list of your current medications and treatment history
• Describing your worst episodes, not your typical functioning
• Being honest about how symptoms affect work, relationships, sleep, and daily activities

Step 5 — Consider Secondary Conditions

PTSD commonly causes or worsens other conditions that can be separately rated, increasing your overall combined rating:

• Sleep apnea — Many veterans develop sleep apnea secondary to PTSD (hypervigilance disrupts sleep architecture). This is now well-established in medical literature and can add 50% to your rating if you require a CPAP.
• Major Depressive Disorder — Depression frequently co-occurs with PTSD and may warrant a separate rating if it causes additional functional impairment.
• Alcohol Use Disorder — If you use alcohol to manage PTSD symptoms, this may be ratable as secondary to PTSD under Allen v. Principi.
• Gastrointestinal conditions — IBS and GERD are frequently secondary to PTSD due to the gut-brain connection.

Step 6 — If You Can't Work, File for TDIU

If your PTSD prevents you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) — which pays at the 100% rate even if your rating is lower. You qualify if you have a single disability rated at 60% or higher, or multiple disabilities with a combined rating of 70% or higher with at least one rated 40%.

File VA Form 21-8940 to apply for TDIU. Include a letter from your employer documenting why you were terminated or forced to leave, and a statement from your psychiatrist confirming that PTSD prevents you from working.