{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/ptsd","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:07.198Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"PTSD","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":80784,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":29.5,"denied_pct":27.8,"remanded_pct":39,"granted_on_merits_pct":51.6,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":5950,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":28.5,"remanded_pct":35.9},{"year":2018,"issues":10542,"granted_pct":23.1,"denied_pct":26.4,"remanded_pct":42.3},{"year":2019,"issues":11203,"granted_pct":24.9,"denied_pct":27.6,"remanded_pct":43.6},{"year":2020,"issues":9744,"granted_pct":27.4,"denied_pct":28.3,"remanded_pct":40.5},{"year":2021,"issues":8543,"granted_pct":30.7,"denied_pct":27.2,"remanded_pct":37.7},{"year":2022,"issues":8442,"granted_pct":30.7,"denied_pct":23.1,"remanded_pct":41.8},{"year":2023,"issues":9112,"granted_pct":31.1,"denied_pct":24.5,"remanded_pct":40.1},{"year":2024,"issues":8898,"granted_pct":35.1,"denied_pct":27.9,"remanded_pct":33.3},{"year":2025,"issues":8091,"granted_pct":34.6,"denied_pct":33.8,"remanded_pct":28.3},{"year":2026,"issues":2986,"granted_pct":42.5,"denied_pct":29.9,"remanded_pct":24.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":14330,"granted_pct_with":72.9,"granted_pct_without":44.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":56791,"granted_pct_with":48.4,"granted_pct_without":65.6},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":14587,"granted_pct_with":75.8,"granted_pct_without":44.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":27123,"granted_pct_with":47.1,"granted_pct_without":53.9},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":26969,"granted_pct_with":59.6,"granted_pct_without":46.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":8662,"granted_pct_with":65.9,"granted_pct_without":49.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":68947,"granted_pct_with":51.7,"granted_pct_without":50.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":4153,"granted_pct_with":71.2,"granted_pct_without":50.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":14662,"granted_pct_with":63,"granted_pct_without":48.5}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":1226},{"reason":"symptoms approximated 70% rating criteria","decisions":356},{"reason":"occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas","decisions":337},{"reason":"symptoms met criteria for 70% rating","decisions":218},{"reason":"symptoms approximated 70% criteria","decisions":207},{"reason":"symptoms approximated criteria for 70% rating","decisions":206}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":2008},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":1675},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":605},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":490},{"reason":"symptoms did not meet criteria for 100% rating","decisions":400},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":348}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040453","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL MARTIN","rationale":"Veteran's service records confirm Vietnam service and meritorious award related to hostile operations.; Veteran's reports of stressful events deemed consistent with service and credible.; RO conceded a stressor based on Vietnam service.; Private psychiatric evaluation diagnosed PTSD under DSM-5 crit… [truncated, 107 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040467","year":2026,"judge":"DAVID GRATZ","rationale":"Reduction improper as AOJ failed to demonstrate actual improvement in ability to function; Competent and credible evidence weighed against finding material improvement; Restoration of prior rating warranted due to VA's failure to meet burden of proof"},{"case_id":"A26040477","year":2026,"judge":"J. T. HUTCHESON","rationale":"AOJ favorable finding of conceded stressor; Prior PTSD diagnoses in VA treatment records; Private psychological evaluation opined nexus to military stressors; Veteran's statements corroborated combat events; Evidence in equipoise regarding onset during service; Benefit of the doubt applied"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"26005108","year":2026,"judge":"WILLIAM H. DONNELLY","rationale":"Symptoms prior to June 3, 2014, did not more closely approximate criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent.; Symptoms from June 3, 2014, to January 6, 2017, warranted a 70 percent rating, but not higher.; Symptoms from April 13, 2018, to June 30, 2022, warranted a 70 percent rating, but not highe… [truncated, 84 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040554","year":2026,"judge":"DELYVONNE M. WHITEHEAD","rationale":"Symptoms did not meet criteria for 50% rating; Veteran generally functioned satisfactorily; Medication and therapy improved symptoms"},{"case_id":"A26040588","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"Symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.; Evidence persuasively against total occupational and social impairment.; Criteria for 100 percent rating are overwhelmingly absent."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[{"citation":"38 CFR 4.130","title":"Schedule of ratings: mental disorders","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130"},{"citation":"38 CFR 3.304(f)","title":"Service connection for PTSD","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.304"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.13","title":"Mental disorders: scope of the claim, change of diagnosis, reductions","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180520/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-13-Mental-Disorders"},{"citation":"M21-1 IV.i.3.B.1.d","title":"Reviewing a mental health examination report","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180516/M21-1-Part-IV-Subpart-i-Chapter-3-Section-B-Examination-Sufficiency-for-Specific-Disabilities"}]}}