VA PTSD Claim Evidence Checklist

PTSD claims are denied more often for missing evidence than for a weak underlying case. This checklist covers what the VA actually needs.

1. A current diagnosis

The diagnosis must meet DSM-5 criteria and come from a qualified provider: a psychiatrist, psychologist, or in some cases a licensed clinical social worker. A general note that says "anxiety, rule out PTSD" is not a diagnosis.

2. A documented stressor

The in-service event that caused the condition. Combat-related stressors are easier because the VA relaxes the corroboration requirement for veterans with combat service documented in their record. Non-combat stressors, including military sexual trauma, require supporting evidence, though the VA accepts a wide range of markers.

Useful stressor documentation includes:

• Unit records, deployment orders, and after-action reports
• Incident reports, police reports, or medical treatment records from the time
• Personnel file changes such as a sudden performance drop, transfer request, or disciplinary action
• Letters or emails sent home around the time of the event

3. A stressor statement

Write it in first person, with as much specificity as memory allows: approximate date, location, unit, who was present, and what happened. Then describe how symptoms began and how they progressed. Do not diagnose yourself; describe what you experienced.

4. Buddy statements

Statements from people who saw the event or who saw the change in you afterward. A spouse describing sleep disruption and withdrawal, or a squadmate confirming the incident, carries real weight. Submit these on VA Form 21-4138.

5. Treatment records

Every mental health encounter, VA and private. Include medication history, therapy notes, hospitalizations, and any crisis line contacts. Gaps in treatment are not fatal but should be explained.

6. Occupational and social impact evidence

PTSD ratings are based on how much the condition impairs work and social functioning, not on symptom counts. This is where most claims lose rating percentage.

Gather evidence of:

• Missed work, written warnings, job losses, or reduced hours
• Accommodations you needed
• Relationships that ended or became strained
• Difficulty with crowds, tasks, memory, or hygiene

Understanding the rating levels

The general rating formula for mental disorders assigns 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100 percent based on the severity of occupational and social impairment. The jump from 30 to 70 percent usually turns on documented impact, not on a new symptom.

If PTSD is one of several conditions you are claiming, use the combined rating calculator to see how the percentages interact. They do not add.

Before you file

Confirm your Intent to File is active, assemble the six categories above, and have an accredited VSO representative review the packet. Our claim workspace will read your records, flag which of these six items you are missing, and score your readiness before you submit.