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December 21, 2019

Free VA PTSD Test for Veterans

Last updated on August 28, 2024

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Brian Reese here from VA Claims Insider, and today, I’m giving you FREE access to the most widely accepted VA PTSD Test for Veterans.

If you’ve ever wondered if you might have combat PTSD or non-combat PTSD from your military service, this 20 question PCL-5 VA PTSD Test checklist is a great place to start your assessment.

And by the way, PTSD always has “stressors,” and PTSD stressor verification is a huge part of how the VA determines whether PTSD is service-connected.

Do you need to file a VA claim for PTSD? Click HERE for tips, strategies, and lessons learned.

Included below is a free online version of the 20-question PLC-5, which is how many VA psychologists and psychiatrists screen veterans for military PTSD.

Once you’ve completed the quiz, your raw score will be displayed along with some useful PTSD tips.

What is the PCL-5?

The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-test that measures and assesses the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD in Veterans.

The PCL-5 PTSD screening tool has a variety of purposes for both Veterans and Clinicians, including:

  • Monitoring symptom change during and after treatment
  • Screening individuals for PTSD
  • Making a provisional PTSD diagnosis

Interpretation of the PCL-5 should be made by a clinician, but since it’s a self-reported assessment, Veterans can take the free VA PTSD Test to assess and measure their likelihood of having PTSD.

The PCL-5 can be scored in 3 different ways although we recommend using the raw score to determine the probability that a Veteran has PTSD:

  • A total symptom severity score (range of 0-80) can be obtained by summing the scores for each of the 20 items. Each of the 20 items is scored from 0-4, with 0 being the lowest and 4 being the highest.
  • DSM-5 symptom cluster severity scores can be obtained by summing the scores for the items within a given cluster, i.e., cluster B (items 1-5), cluster C (items 6-7), cluster D (items 8-14), and cluster E (items 15-20). The clusters represent various PTSD markers.
  • A provisional diagnosis of PTSD for VA purposes can be made by treating each item rated as 2 = “Moderately” or higher as a symptom endorsed, then following the DSM-5 diagnostic rule which requires at least: 1 B item (questions 1-5), 1 C item (questions 6-7), 2 D items (questions 8-14), 2 E items (questions 15-20).

According to widely accepted research regarding provisional diagnosis of PTSD in Veterans, a PCL-5 cutoff score between 31-33 is indicative of probable PTSD, however, more research is needed.

For VA rating purposes, there seems to be a trend toward a PTSD cutoff score of 33, and I think Veterans need to be aware of this before completing a PLC-5 at the VA or during a C&P Exam for PTSD.

Disclaimer: This measure was developed by staff at VA’s National Center for PTSD and is in the public domain and not copyrighted. It is provided here for convenience and is not guaranteed to be the latest version nor should it be used in lieu of seeking professional medical and mental health advice.  In accordance with the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines, this instrument is intended for use by qualified health professionals and researchers.

The PCL-5 Online VA PTSD Test for Veterans

PCL-5 Quiz: The 20-Question VA PTSD Test for Veterans

The PCL-5 Quiz is a 20-question self-report VA PTSD Test to measure and assess the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD in veterans.

1. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience? *
2. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience? *
3. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)? *
4. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience? *
5. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)? *
6. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience? *
7. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)? *
8. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience? *
9. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world (for example, having thoughts such as: I am bad, there is something seriously wrong with me, no one can be trusted, the world is completely dangerous)? *
10. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it? *
11. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame? *
12. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy? *
13. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Feeling distant or cut off from other people? *
14. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)? *
15. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively? *
16. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm? *
17. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Being “superalert” or watchful or on guard? *
18. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Feeling jumpy or easily startled? *
19. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Having difficulty concentrating? *
20. In the past month, how much were you bothered by: Trouble falling or staying asleep? *

Additional PTSD Resources

PTSD Resource Guide for Veterans & Families
PTSD Triggers (Veteran’s Guide)
Top 3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for PTSD

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About the Author

Brian Reese
Brian Reese

Brian Reese

Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.

A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.

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