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Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country should never have to fight alone for the benefits they earned. Veterans’ PTSD lawyer Daren Sarphie is committed to representing veterans in benefits claims. Whether you are filing for the first time, challenging a denial, or looking to increase your rating, you can have an experienced veteran’s PTSD lawyer represent you. Contact us now.
At Sarphie Law, we understand that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often walks hand-in-hand with other service-connected conditions, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Recent neurological research confirms that veterans who suffer TBIs are at a significantly higher risk of developing PTSD and related mental-health complications, including anxiety, depression, and even elevated suicide risk. One 2025 review in Frontiers in Neurologyfound that co-occurrence rates can reach 48% among combat-exposed servicemembers.
From your initial consultation through every appeal, our mission is to remove legal roadblocks so you can focus on treatment and rebuilding your life. We offer:
PTSD is a mental-health disorder that develops after exposure to a terrifying or life-threatening event. The VA recognizes combat exposure, military sexual trauma, training accidents, rocket attacks, and many other in-service stressors as potential PTSD triggers. PTSD is interference with normal life activities due to a stressful or traumatic event. The stress and fear of the traumatic event can continue after it is over and affect your life.
Core diagnostic criteria
A qualified mental-health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, or VA-contracted clinician) must document that, for at least one month, you experience all of the following clusters:
The National Institute of Mental Health emphasizes that symptoms must “cause clinically significant distress or impairment” in work, school, or family life.
If you answered yes to several of these, schedule an evaluation with your VA provider or a private clinician experienced in veteran mental health.
Common PTSD symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, an exaggerated startle response, avoidance of triggers, emotional numbness, and a persistent sense of danger.
Physical manifestations
Cognitive and social impacts
Early treatment, including cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged-exposure therapy, SSRIs, and peer support, dramatically improves long-term outcomes. VA facilities now offer virtual CPT sessions, making evidence-based care accessible even for rural veterans.
PTSD is common, both in the U.S. veteran population and the general population. Veterans experience PTSD at a higher rate than the general population, with as many as 7% of U.S. veterans having PTSD.
Related: Does a PTSD Diagnosis Automatically Qualify You for VA Disability?
PTSD is one of the most common mental-health disorders in the U.S. veteran population. There may be significant differences in the prevalence of PTSD among groups of veterans depending on the era of service, deployment, and exposure to trauma.
Deeper dive
Importantly, comorbid conditions multiply disease burden. Veterans with mild TBIs are 60% more likely to develop PTSD within three years of injury, according to a 2024 VA cohort review.
Yes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their military service. These are not handouts; they are benefits that you have earned through your service and sacrifice. Unfortunately, many deserving veterans face delays, denials, or improper ratings due to a lack of documentation or legal guidance.
PTSD disability lawyer Daren Sarphie helps veterans cut through the red tape and prove their claims. Whether you are just starting your application, appealing a denial, or seeking a rating increase, Sarphie Law can help you build a strong case backed by medical and legal evidence.
Understanding VA Disability Benefits for PTSD
To qualify for disability compensation from the VA, you must meet certain legal and medical requirements. PTSD claims are unique in that they involve both mental health assessments and a clear connection to traumatic events experienced during service. In many cases, the VA underestimates the impact of PTSD on a veteran’s daily functioning. Having a knowledgeable attorney can make a significant difference in how your case is reviewed and rated.
Basic Eligibility Checklist
Here is a more detailed look at the key elements required to establish your PTSD disability claim with the VA:
1. Current Medical Diagnosis of PTSD (DSM-5 Criteria)
You must have a formal diagnosis of PTSD from a qualified healthcare provider, either through the VA or a private licensed professional. This diagnosis must be based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which includes specific criteria like persistent intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, mood disturbances, and hyperarousal that have lasted for more than one month.
If no official record exists of the event, such as in the case of MST or classified missions, you may still submit lay evidence, including written statements from yourself or others (called “buddy statements”), to help corroborate the incident. VA regulations allow the use of credible lay testimony when documentation is lacking, especially in combat situations where formal reports may not have been filed.
3. Nexus Statement from a Qualified Clinician
A nexus letter is a medical opinion that clearly links your PTSD diagnosis to the specific in-service stressor. It should be written by a qualified professional (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed counselor) and include:
This nexus is essential. Without it, your claim could be denied, even if you have a PTSD diagnosis and a known stressor. Daren Sarphie works with trusted medical professionals to craft strong, well-supported nexus opinions when VA providers fall short.
4. Functional Impact Evidence
Even if you meet the diagnostic and nexus requirements, the VA will assign a disability rating based on how much your PTSD interferes with your daily life. This includes:
The VA uses a scale from 0% to 100%, in increments of 10%, based on symptom severity. Higher ratings (70% and 100%) reflect major impairments in work and social functioning. Accurate and thorough documentation of your daily struggles, treatment history, and medication side effects can significantly influence your rating. Attorney Daren Sarphie ensures all functional impacts are clearly documented and presented in your claim.
Many veterans suffer from multiple service-connected disabilities that stem from or are worsened by PTSD. These secondary conditions may include:
When secondary conditions are properly linked and rated, they can increase your overall combined disability rating, sometimes pushing you above 70% or 100%, which qualifies you for higher monthly payments and additional benefits such as Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
Remember, VA math is not cumulative; a 50% rating and a 30% rating don’t equal 80%. Instead, the VA uses a formula that rounds down percentages, so strategic evidence gathering is essential. With the right legal help, you can avoid missing out on benefits you deserve due to miscalculations or overlooked conditions.
The compensation that you can get for PTSD depends on your disability rating and whether you have dependents, including a spouse, parent, or children. For a veteran without dependents, the 2024 monthly disability benefit for 100% disability is $3,737.85.
Effective December 1, 2024, the VA applied a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). As a result, a single veteran rated 100% now receives $3,857.54 per month in 2025, with higher tiers for veterans supporting dependents.
Eligibility for PTSD disability compensation depends on your rating. The ratings used for PTSD are 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%, each reflecting progressively greater social and occupational impairment.
Evidence package essentials
Evidence Type | Why It Matters | Tips for Success |
Service treatment records & personnel files | Establish the in-service stressor and any contemporaneous complaints. | Request copies via Standard Form 180 early in the process. |
Private & VA medical records | Document ongoing treatment, symptom severity, and medication side effects. | Highlight hospitalizations, ER visits, or therapy attendance. |
Buddy statements | Corroborate stressor events or observe functional impairment. | Use VA Form 21-10210; include date, location, and unit details. |
Psychiatric nexus opinion | Connect your current PTSD to service. | Second opinions from board-certified psychiatrists can rebut negative VA exams. |
Navigating VA bureaucracy can feel like reliving trauma. An experienced attorney:
Most importantly, legal representation levels the playing field against a complex and sometimes adversarial system, so denials become opportunities for well-supported appeals rather than dead ends. At Sarphie Law, we help both veterans and federal workers in a number of different areas, including:
For more information about how the experienced team at Sarphie Law can help you overcome these challenges, call us today.
Work with experienced Veterans’ Disability Lawyer Daren Sarphie. He provides the focus and legal knowledge that get results. Whether you are starting your claim, need to appeal, or want to increase your rating, professional legal assistance can help you. For a consultation and immediate legal help, connect with us now. You fought hard for your country; let us fight hard for the benefits that protect your future.
