MISSION CLAIM

PTSD CLAIM GUIDE

VA PTSD Claim Evidence: What to Organize

VA's PTSD compensation guidance states that eligibility generally involves PTSD symptoms related to a traumatic event, a qualifying in-service stressor, and a PTSD diagnosis. The exact evidence needed depends on the facts of the claim.

Reviewed September 17, 2026 · General educational information

Evidence to organize

Current mental-health diagnosis and relevant treatment records.

Information about the in-service traumatic event or stressor and any records that may help VA identify or verify it.

Lay statements describing observable symptoms, changes, or relevant events when appropriate.

Prior VA decisions, examinations, and mental-health records if the issue has been claimed before.

Questions to map before review

  1. 01What traumatic event or stressor is the claim based on?
  2. 02What records identify or corroborate that event?
  3. 03What current symptoms and functional effects are documented?
  4. 04Is VA Form 21-0781 or the corresponding online information relevant to this claim?
Educational, not diagnostic

Mission Claim does not diagnose medical conditions or predict VA outcomes. Medical questions should be addressed with a qualified health professional. Claim-specific legal or representation questions may require a VA-accredited representative.