Conditions
Mental health claims: ratings, evidence and the C&P exam
Mental health claims are among the most common — and the most misunderstood. Here is how the VA rates them from 0% to 100%, what evidence they require, how the exam works, and where to turn for immediate help.
The full 0–100% mental health rating criteria, the evidence a claim needs, how the C&P exam works, and MST/crisis resources.
Start here
How a mental health claim is built
Filing for a mental health condition requires detailed documentation and an understanding of the process. It begins with a formal diagnosis from a licensed provider, followed by comprehensive medical records — treatment history and any service records that link the condition to your military service. Personal statements describing how the condition affects your daily life and functioning strengthen the claim. Being thorough and honest gives the VA a clear picture of your situation.
Once filed, the VA reviews the evidence to determine eligibility. If approved, veterans can access a range of mental health treatments through the VA — counseling, medication, and support groups — designed to help manage the condition and improve quality of life. Regular follow-ups and compliance with treatment matter for the best outcomes.
What can be claimed
Mental health conditions the VA evaluates
Veterans experiencing any of the following can file for disability benefits, provided the claim is supported by proper documentation and medical evidence:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event; flashbacks, severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts.
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) — persistent sadness and loss of interest that interferes with daily functioning.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — excessive, uncontrollable worry with restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
- Bipolar Disorder — extreme mood swings between emotional highs (mania/hypomania) and lows (depression).
- Schizophrenia — affects thinking, feeling, and behavior; may involve hallucinations and delusions.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — recurring unwanted thoughts and/or repetitive compulsive behaviors.
- Panic Disorder — recurrent, unexpected panic attacks of intense fear peaking within minutes.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) — irrational anxiety around social interaction and fear of judgment.
- Adjustment Disorder — an excessive or impairing reaction to a stressful event or life change.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) — chronic, long-term depression, less severe but more enduring than MDD.
- Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Somatic Symptom Disorder, and Neurocognitive Disorders (including TBI-related cognitive impairments) are also evaluated.
The rating schedule
How the VA rates mental health severity
The VA rates every mental health condition on a single general formula based on how severely symptoms impair your social and occupational functioning — their frequency, intensity, and duration. The same scale applies whether the diagnosis is PTSD, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
| Rating | What it reflects | Representative symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | Diagnosed, but not severe enough to impair work/social function or require ongoing medication. | A formally diagnosed condition with no significant impact on daily life or work. |
| 10% | Mild or transient symptoms. | Symptoms controlled by continuous medication, or a slight decrease in work efficiency only during periods of stress. |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform tasks. | Depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, weekly-or-less panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss. |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity. | Flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic more than once a week, difficulty with complex commands, impaired judgment and memory, trouble maintaining relationships. |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas — work, school, family, judgment, thinking, or mood. | Suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, neglect of hygiene, inability to maintain effective relationships. |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment. | Gross impairment in thought or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger to self or others, disorientation, memory loss for names of close relatives or one’s own name. |
If you are in crisis right now
You do not have to wait for a claim decision to get help. The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential, and available 24/7 — dial **988 then press 1, or call 1-800-273-8255**.
PTSD & MST claims
Forms for PTSD, MST and personal-assault claims
- VA Form 21-0781
Designed for survivors of MST or personal assault; guides you through a detailed account of the incident(s) and any available evidence or reports.
- VA Form 21-10210
Lets friends, family, or fellow service members provide observations that corroborate your account and its impact.
- VA Form 21-4138 — Statement in Support of Claim
A place for a personal narrative that may not fit the structured format of other forms — a heartfelt, detailed account.
Confidential support and MST resources
- Veterans Crisis Line (then press 1): 988
- Veterans Crisis Line (direct): 1-800-273-8255
- DoD Safe Helpline (MST, 24/7): 877-995-5247
- VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000
For MST claims, you can also speak with your existing VA healthcare provider, coordinate with an MST Coordinator at your nearest VA Medical Center, or contact your local Vet Center. You may request a provider of a particular gender if it would make you more comfortable.
The exam
The Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam
After you file, the VA may schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate the severity of your condition and its connection to service. It can take 30 to 60 days to be scheduled. The VA does not automatically order an exam for every condition — it generally requires a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and a medical nexus linking the two. If those are not clearly shown, the VA may not schedule an exam, which can lead to a denial. A well-documented claim is what justifies the exam.
Be honest and direct
Be straightforward about your symptoms. Underreporting or exaggerating both hurt the accuracy of your assessment — describe your worst days as well as your typical ones.
Prepare emotionally
These exams can be taxing because they revisit traumatic events. Consider talking through your feelings with a friend, family member, or counselor beforehand.
Understand its purpose
The exam assesses how your condition affects you now — it is not about questioning whether your experience was real.
Bring support
You may bring a representative, advocate, or friend for support. Afterward, follow up on your claim status and stay engaged with mental health care whatever the outcome.
After the exam
The examiner compiles a detailed report — your history, the examination results, and how the condition affects your life — and sends it to the VA Regional Office handling your claim. The VA may return the report for corrections or a second opinion if it is unclear, which can delay things. Your claim moves to a decision only once the VA is satisfied the evidence is complete.
Put a number on it
Free calculators for this topic
Want a second set of eyes on your claim?
Albert Thombs is an accredited VA claims agent (#45147). A free review will tell you what evidence your claim is missing and how to strengthen it — before you file.
Call 702-992-4883 · Mon–Fri, 11:00 – 18:00 Pacific