The VA offers disability benefits to veterans for a variety of conditions, including mental health conditions. A couple of common mental health conditions for which veterans often file claims are PTSD and depression. It is not uncommon for a veteran to have more than one mental health condition, but can you receive VA disability for more than one? In this blog, we will discuss whether you can receive VA disability for both PTSD and depression and how the VA determines your rating in these scenarios.
Understanding VA Disability for Mental Health Conditions
The VA recognizes many mental health disorders as service-connected disabilities. Veterans can develop mental health disorders, like PTSD and depression, from experiencing traumatic events, combat, injuries, or simply the transition from military to civilian life. PTSD is often linked to traumatic events during service and can cause flashbacks. Depression can also be linked to trauma, but it is also commonly linked to chronic pain. Since these disorders can overlap, the question often arises of whether veterans can receive separate VA ratings for conditions like PTSD and depression.
Can You Receive VA Disability for Both PTSD and Depression?
In most cases where veterans have multiple mental health disorders, the VA will assign one single rating for all of them. This means if a veteran has PTSD and depression, they will receive one rating that shows the combined impact of all the mental health symptoms. The VA rates mental disorders this way because they often have overlapping symptoms that make it hard to determine each separate condition’s impact on the veteran. Especially with disorders like PTSD and depression, which both share many common symptoms, the total functional impact is evaluated instead of each individually.
It is important to note that while the VA doesn’t usually rate mental health disorders separately, there are a few exceptions where multiple mental health conditions could be rated separately. One situation is if the conditions are independently disabling. This is a rare situation with mental health conditions, but if the veteran has multiple mental health conditions where the symptoms do not overlap, the VA may evaluate them separately. Additionally, if the mental health conditions aren’t both determined to be service-connected, they may not be evaluated together. For instance, if a veteran has PTSD and depression and does not have enough evidence to prove the depression is service-connected, the VA will only provide a rating for PTSD.
How the VA Determines Your Disability Rating
When rating mental health conditions, the VA uses a rating system called the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. This rating system assesses the severity of the veteran’s mental health conditions and is based on their ability to function in work and social environments.
Below is the rating scale:
- 0% Rating: Diagnosed condition but no significant impairment in daily life.
- 10% Rating: Mild symptoms that occasionally affect work and social interactions.
- 30% Rating: Symptoms that cause mild issues with work and relationships, such as memory loss, anxiety, or sleep problems.
- 50% Rating: More severe symptoms like panic attacks, difficulty maintaining relationships, and impaired judgment that impact work performance.
- 70% Rating: Major difficulties with daily life, suicidal thoughts, and inability to maintain employment.
- 100% Rating: Total occupational and social impairment, often involving delusions, hallucinations, disorientation, or inability to care for oneself.
Since the VA rates mental health conditions together, a veteran with both PTSD and depression will receive a single rating that reflects the overall impact of both conditions on daily life using the scale above.
Get Help with Your VA Disability Claim
While it is not likely for a veteran to receive two separate ratings for PTSD and depression, they can still receive a high rating for both if their symptoms are severe enough. It is important for veterans not to ignore their mental health conditions. The VA recognizes many mental health conditions as service-connected, offering veterans with various conditions the benefits they deserve.
Navigating the VA disability claims process can be complex, especially when dealing with mental health conditions like PTSD and depression. Don’t leave your VA disability compensation to chance. Whether you’re filing for the first time or appealing a decision, Coskrey Law is here to help. Contact us today!