2025 VA PTSD Rating Changes Explained!

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Massive changes to how the VA rates PTSD and other mental health conditions could take effect by summer or fall 2025.

If finalized, these updates would significantly impact how the VA evaluates your PTSD symptoms, your ability to function in daily life, and ultimately, the disability compensation you receive.

The VA has proposed a new domain-based objective rating system that aims to better reflect how mental health conditions like PTSD affect a veteran’s ability to work and function.

The VA itself has stated that these new criteria should, “generally lead to more generous compensation for veterans than the current rating formula.”

We agree.

Under the new criteria, it will be easier for veterans with severe PTSD symptoms to qualify for higher ratings, especially at the 70% and 100% levels.

The outdated 0% non-compensable rating will be eliminated, and every service-connected mental health condition, including PTSD, will receive a minimum 10% rating.

Summary of Key Points

• New Domain-Based Rating System for VA PTSD Claims: The VA plans to evaluate PTSD based on functional impairments across five domains—Cognition, Interpersonal Relationships, Task Completion, Navigating Environments, and Self-Care—each scored 0 to 4. Your overall rating depends on the number and severity of impairments.

• More Generous PTSD VA Ratings and Objective Criteria: The new system aims to provide fairer and more accurate compensation for how PTSD affects a veteran’s ability to work and function. It should make it easier to qualify for higher ratings (70% and 100%) with less restrictive standards.

• Elimination of the 0% VA Rating for PTSD: All service-connected mental health conditions, including PTSD, will receive at least a 10% VA rating—effectively removing the outdated 0% non-compensable rating.

• Effective Date and Grandfathering: These changes could go into effect by summer or fall 2025 after a 60-day post-finalization period. Veterans already rated for PTSD will be grandfathered under the current system and will not lose their existing ratings.

Is the VA Changing How It Rates PTSD?

Maybe.

The VA is overhauling its entire approach to rating mental health conditions, including PTSD.

If approved, the new rating levels for PTSD will be 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%.

It will be easier for veterans to qualify for higher ratings, and the minimum rating for any service-connected mental health condition will be 10%—eliminating the outdated 0% rating entirely.

The proposed changes are based on functional impairment across five core domains:

• Cognition

• Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships

• Task Completion and Life Activities

• Navigating Environments

• Self-Care

Each domain is evaluated on a scale from 0 to 4, with 0 meaning “no impairment” and 4 meaning “total impairment.”

Your overall rating will be determined based on the number and severity of impairments across these domains.

What is the 2025 PTSD Rating Changes Effective Date?

According to Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider, major changes to VA ratings for PTSD could be coming by summer or fall 2025.

However, the VA has not yet announced a firm effective date.

Once the rule is finalized, a 60-day waiting period will be triggered before the new criteria officially take effect.

Pro Tip: If you already have a VA rating for PTSD, you are “grandfathered in” under the old system. Your current rating will not be affected.

Insider Tip: The current administration is reviewing all proposed VA rating changes. It’s possible that the PTSD and mental health updates could be delayed—or may not happen at all.

*NEW* 2025 VA PTSD Ratings [PROPOSED]

New VA Disability Ratings for PTSD	VA Rating
The General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders contains five domains related to function of veterans with PTSD: Cognition; interpersonal interactions and relationships; task completion and life activities; navigating environments; and self-care. The criteria below describe each domain.
The General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders provides criteria for each domain for levels of function ranging from 0 to 4, as appropriate. The highest level of impairment, a score of 4, signifies “total,” and the lowest level of impairment, a score of 0, signifies “no difficulties.”
Evaluate PTSD based on the level of impairment in each domain and the number of affected domains, as follows:
PTSD with level 4 in one or more domains, or Level 3 in two or more domains	100%
PTSD with level 3 in one domain, or Level 2 in two or more domains	70%
PTSD with level 2 in one domain	50%
PTSD with level 1 in two or more domains	30%
Minimum VA rating for PTSD	10%

*NEW* Domain, Impairment, and Criteria for VA PTSD Claims [PROPOSED]

Domain	Level of impairment	Criteria
1. Cognition: May include, but is not limited to, memory, concentration, attention, goal setting, speed of processing information, planning, organizing, prioritizing, problem solving, judgment, making decisions, or flexibility in adapting when appropriate.
	0 = None	No difficulties: Cognitive functioning intact.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of cognitive functioning that cannot be managed or remediated; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of cognitive functioning; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
2. Interpersonal interactions and relationships: Includes both informal (social, associational, etc.) and formal (coworkers, supervisors, etc.).
	0 = None.	No difficulties: Individual able to have relationships and interact with others at work, school, and other contexts.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of interpersonal functioning that cannot be managed or remediated; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of relationships; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
3. Task completion and life activities: May include, but are not limited to, the following types of activities: Vocational, educational, domestic, social, or caregiving.
	0 = None	No difficulties: Individual able to perform tasks and participate in life activities; needs no accommodations or assistance.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of task completion or life activities that were completed with minor stress or minor accommodations.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of task completion or life activities that were completed with significant stress or accommodations.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in two or more aspects of task completion or life activities that were completed with significant stress and accommodations.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in two or more aspects of task completion or life activities, one of which must be vocational, that were not completed even with considerable accommodations due to overwhelming stress; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of task completion or life activities.
4. Navigating environments: May include, but is not limited to, the following: Leaving the home, being in confined or crowded spaces, independently moving in surroundings, navigating new environments, driving, or using public transportation.
	0 = None.	No difficulties: Capability to navigate environments intact.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of navigating environments that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of navigating environments that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more areas of navigating environments that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of navigating environments that cannot be managed or remediated; incapable of even the most basic tasks within one or more aspects of environmental navigation; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
5. Self-care: May include, but is not limited to, the following types of activities: Hygiene, dressing appropriately, or taking nourishment.
	0 = None	No difficulties: Self-care capabilities intact.
	1 = Mild impairment at any frequency; or moderate impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Mild: Slight difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that do not interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships.
	2 = Moderate impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or severe impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Moderate: Clinically significant difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships without accommodations or assistance.
	3 = Severe impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time; or total impairment that occurs less than 25% of the time	Severe: Serious difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.
	4 = Total impairment that occurs 25% or more of the time	Total: Profound difficulties in one or more aspects of self-care that cannot be managed or remediated; difficulties that completely interfere with tasks, activities, or relationships, even with accommodations or assistance.

Proposed VA Rating Changes for PTSD [DOWNLOAD]

Conclusion & Wrap-Up

Major changes to how the VA rates PTSD could take effect as early as summer or fall 2025—and they represent a significant shift for veterans seeking fair and accurate compensation.

The VA’s proposed updates are intended to more accurately reflect how service-connected PTSD impacts a veteran’s ability to function in daily life and maintain employment.

One of the most notable changes is the elimination of the outdated 0% rating. Under the new criteria, every service-connected mental health condition—including PTSD—would receive a minimum 10% rating.

Even more promising, veterans with severe PTSD symptoms may now qualify for a 70% or even 100% rating more easily, thanks to less restrictive and more objective evaluation criteria.

These changes are still under review by the current administration, and while they could be finalized soon, they may also be delayed, modified, or withdrawn entirely.

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