How to Increase Your PTSD VA Rating After an Initial Decision

It is as disappointing as it is frequent when Veterans receive an initial post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) evaluation and rating that fails to capture the full severity of their day-to-day life. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates mental conditions largely by how you are functionally impaired. Unfortunately, that is a very subjective decision that can vary between physicians and psychologists. Ultimately, the decision is made by determining how significantly your PTSD affects your cognition, employment prospects, ability to complete tasks, ability to maintain family and social relationships, and take care of yourself.

If your mental health has worsened over time or the initial decision minimized the true extent of your disability, you have the legal right to obtain legal help and seek higher review. Our team can help you get an increase by obtaining medical documentation and providing a legal strategy that can demonstrate the exact level your PTSD is at.

What Are the Requirements to Increase a PTSD VA Rating?

To secure a higher evaluation, you must present objective medical evidence demonstrating that your psychiatric symptoms have worsened and now cause a higher level of occupational and social impairment. The Department of Veterans Affairs rates mental disorders on a scale ranging from 0 percent to 100 percent based on the level of occupational and social impairment your symptoms cause.

Because you already have an initial decision, there is no need for you to reprove each and every element of your initial claim (current diagnosis, in-service event, nexus). Instead, you need to demonstrate that the severity of your diagnosis warrants a higher PTSD VA rating.  

What Is the Difference Between Filing an Appeal and Filing for an Increase?

In short, you appeal a decision when you disagree with it and want it overturned. Filing an appeal is the best route if you believe the initial evaluation was legally flawed or the evidence you submitted was flagrantly misinterpreted or ignored.

You file for an increase when your condition has deteriorated over time, and the current rating is no longer sufficient for the disabilities you currently have. When you request an increase, the VA looks at new medical evidence to determine your current level of impairment.

What Medical Evidence Is Required to Prove a High PTSD Evaluation?

Proving a high evaluation requires consistent treatment records, formal clinical evaluations, standardized psychological tests, and detailed lay statements from family members or former employers. Comprehensive medical evidence must clearly demonstrate how your severe symptoms impact your weekly employment performance and personal relationships.

A strong evidence file to increase your PTSD rating must be robust and continuous. Your records must clearly establish all necessary facts, as the adjudicator will not make assumptions or fill in the blanks. A well-developed file should include:

• Continuous treatment notes from psychologists or psychiatrists documenting symptom frequency and medication changes.
• Standardized psychological tests.
• Performance reviews or termination letters from former employers detailing how your condition impacted your job duties.
• Lay statements from your spouse or family members describing how your condition causes social isolation, aggressive outbursts, or an inability to maintain personal hygiene.

Can You Get a 100 Percent VA Rating for PTSD?

Yes. A Veteran can receive a 100 percent schedular disability evaluation if their condition causes total occupational and social impairment. Alternatively, Veterans whose condition makes them unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment can qualify for 100 percent disability pay through Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability.

Obtaining a 100 percent schedular rating for a mental health condition is exceedingly difficult. The medical evidence must show that your symptoms render you completely unable to function in society or a workplace environment. Because of this high bar, many Veterans with severe mental health issues rely on a different pathway to secure maximum compensation.

If your evaluation is lower than 100 percent, but the severity of your symptoms prevents you from holding a steady job, you can apply for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). TDIU allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay you at the 100 percent rate even if your schedular rating is lower. To qualify, you must prove that your service-connected disability causes severe occupational impairment, such as angry outbursts at supervisors, an inability to leave your home for work, or severe memory loss that makes completing simple tasks impossible. If your condition makes it impossible for you to hold a steady job, the examiner’s notes on your occupational impairment are vital. You need to be prepared to discuss any jobs you have lost, conflicts you have had with coworkers or supervisors, excessive absences, and inability to concentrate on tasks.

What Happens During a VA Mental Health C&P Exam for PTSD?

A Compensation and Pension exam is how the Department of Veterans Affairs determines how severe the condition is. During the examination, a psychologist or psychiatrist will ask questions about your military service, current symptoms, mental health history, and how your condition affects your daily life and ability to obtain gainful employment.

This exam is significantly different from a typical doctor’s appointment or counseling session; you will not receive treatment or therapy here. The purpose of the exam is to document the hard facts surrounding your disability claim.

The examiner will ask about your life before the military, your experiences during service, and your current symptoms and daily functioning. You will likely be asked about your early life, family history of mental illness, your performance in school, and when you first started feeling symptomatic. This is to rule out pre-existing conditions or determine if your military service might have aggravated a pre-existing issue. Next, you will need to discuss your military timeline. The examiner will ask about your specific duties and the events that led to your mental health struggles. You will also discuss your transition to civilian life and your current living situation.

The most substantial part of the exam involves detailing your symptoms. The examiner will ask about depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, memory loss, and suicidal thoughts. You must describe your worst days, not just how you feel on a good day. If you try to put on a brave face or minimize your symptoms because you feel embarrassed, the examiner will almost certainly note that your condition is mild, which will directly impact the compensation you receive.

Frequently Asked Questions for Getting a Higher PTSD VA Rating

Can I receive disability benefits for both PTSD and another mental health condition? 

Yes, but the Department of Veterans Affairs will not issue two separate disability ratings. Under the anti-duplication rules, a Veteran can only receive one combined psychiatric rating. If you are diagnosed with multiple conditions, the adjudicator will evaluate all of your mental health symptoms together and assign a single evaluation based on the overall level of occupational and social impairment.

Does taking medication lower my evaluation?

It depends on how well the medication works. If continuous medication helps control your symptoms and eliminates the vast majority of your occupational impairment, the Department of Veterans Affairs will generally assign a 10 percent evaluation. However, if you take medication but still experience severe symptoms like weekly panic attacks and chronic sleep impairment, your evaluation will be based on those ongoing symptoms.

Should I dress a certain way for my examination?

You should dress exactly as you would on any other day. So, if you normally wear sweatpants because you lack the energy to get ready, wear sweatpants. Do not dress up for the examiner or attempt to impress them. This is a medical examination, not a court date. Part of how your rating is determined is how well you can groom and maintain proper hygiene. You want the examiner to get an accurate picture of your day-to-day lifestyle.

How long does it take to get results after the exam?

After the exam, the examiner typically submits their report within a few days to a few weeks, but you will not receive the final decision on your claim for several months. The exact timeline depends on the current backlog and the complexity of your entire claim file.

How Our Team Can Help You with Your PTSD VA Rating

Dealing with the government is often frustrating, exhausting, and overwhelming. When you are already battling severe mental health issues, fighting a massive bureaucracy can feel impossible. Our legal team understands the exact criteria used to evaluate mental health conditions. We know how to obtain independent medical opinions, gather compelling buddy statements, and build a comprehensive case that accurately reflects the true impact of your service-connected disability.

An experienced Veterans disability attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes, resolve disputes with the regional office, and protect your legal rights. To get the dedicated support you deserve, contact our offices today so we can help you get the benefits you earned.