Ptsd Claims Compensation Calculator
Filing a VA disability claim for post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most significant steps a veteran can take toward financial stability. But after months of paperwork, exams, and waiting, one question looms largest: how much will the monthly check actually be? The PTSD Claims Compensation Calculator above gives you a fast, clear estimate of your monthly VA disability payment based on your rating percentage and your dependent situation, so you can plan your household budget with confidence.
PTSD is one of the most commonly service-connected conditions in the VA system. Ratings for mental health conditions, including PTSD, are assigned in increments of 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 percent, based on how much the condition impairs your occupational and social functioning. Each rating step carries a specific monthly compensation amount, and veterans rated at 30 percent or higher also receive additional amounts for qualifying dependents such as a spouse, children under 18, and dependent parents. That dependent add-on is money many veterans leave on the table simply because they never realized they qualified for it.
How to Use This Calculator
Getting your estimate takes less than a minute. Follow these steps:
1. Select your VA disability rating. Choose the combined rating percentage the VA assigned for your PTSD claim (or your overall combined rating) from the dropdown, from 10% up to 100%.
2. Indicate whether you have a dependent spouse. Select "Yes" if you are married to a spouse who qualifies as a dependent for VA purposes.
3. Enter the number of dependent children under 18. Type how many of your children are under 18 and unmarried (or under 23 and attending school, which the VA also counts).
4. Enter the number of dependent parents. If you financially support a parent, enter that number here.
5. Press Calculate. Your estimated monthly compensation appears instantly, broken down into the base rate, dependent additions, and the annual total.
6. Use Reset to start over. The Reset button clears the form so you can run a new scenario, such as comparing your payment at different rating levels.
Worked Example
Let's walk through a realistic example. Suppose a veteran receives a 70% disability rating for PTSD, is married, and has one dependent child under 18, with no dependent parents.
- Base rate for a 70% rating: $1,716.28 per month
- Spouse addition (70% bracket): $170.32 per month
- Child addition: $90.00 per month
- Estimated monthly compensation: $1,976.60
- Estimated annual compensation: $23,719.20
Notice how the dependents add $260.32 per month — over $3,100 per year — that this veteran would miss if the dependents were never added to the award. This is exactly why running the numbers before and after updating your dependent status matters.
More Helpful Information
The VA evaluates PTSD under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. A 0% rating acknowledges the condition exists but causes little impairment; 10% reflects mild symptoms with occasional decreases in work efficiency; 30% indicates occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and depressed mood; 50% brings reduced reliability and productivity; 70% involves deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, and judgment; and 100% reflects total occupational and social impairment. The jump in pay between brackets is substantial — moving from 70% to 100% nearly doubles the base rate.
Claim every qualifying dependent. A spouse, children under 18 (or under 23 in school), and dependent parents all increase your payment at ratings of 30% or higher. File VA Form 21-686c to add or remove dependents. Understand combined ratings. If you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA does not simply add the percentages. It uses "VA math," a combined ratings table where each additional condition applies to your remaining efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does the VA pay for a 70% PTSD rating?
The base monthly rate for a single veteran at 70% is approximately $1,716.28. With a spouse it rises to about $1,886.60, and each qualifying child adds roughly $90 more per month.
2. What is the monthly payment for 100% PTSD disability?
A single veteran rated at 100% receives about $3,737.85 per month. With a spouse, that rises to roughly $3,908.17, plus additions for children and dependent parents.
3. Do I get extra money for my spouse and kids?
Yes, but only at ratings of 30% or higher. Below 30%, the VA pays the same base rate regardless of dependents.
CONCLUSION
Your VA PTSD compensation is determined by a straightforward formula — rating percentage plus dependent status — but the dollars involved make getting it right essential. A single overlooked dependent or a rating that doesn't reflect your true impairment can cost thousands of dollars per year, every year. Use the calculator above to estimate your monthly and annual benefit, make sure every qualifying dependent is on your award, and if your symptoms have worsened, don't hesitate to seek an increase with strong evidence. The benefit exists because you earned it; making sure you receive the full amount is simply good financial stewardship.