The following post includes potentially sensitive topics for some readers.
Veterans with mental health conditions may experience suicidal thoughts and wonder if these thoughts make them eligible for a suicidal ideation VA rating. While the VA does not consider suicidal ideation a standalone condition, it does recognize it as a serious symptom of an underlying mental health disorder. When suicidal ideation is present, it may support a higher VA rating, helping ensure you receive the care and stability you need.
Don’t fight the VA alone
This article discusses what suicidal ideation is, how common it is among veterans, and how it may influence your disability rating.
If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide, there are resources that can help. We’ve included a list of veteran suicide prevention resources at the end of this article.
Key Takeaways
- The VA does not provide suicidal ideation a VA disability rating of its own, but instead considers it a symptom of an underlying mental health disorder.
- Veterans who experience suicidal thoughts may qualify for increased compensation if suicidal thoughts are linked to a service-related condition.
- Mental health conditions are rated between 0% and 100% depending on severity, and suicidal ideation is specifically named in the 70% rating criteria.
In this article about the suicidal ideation VA rating:
What is suicidal ideation?
Suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts, is when someone is preoccupied with thoughts of suicide or death. These thoughts can be passive, like thinking about suicide, or active such as making plans to harm yourself. Either way, suicidal ideation is a warning sign that should be taken seriously.
Even if suicidal ideation doesn’t lead to death, it can negatively impact mental health and lead to other forms of self-harm.
Suicidal ideation in veterans
According to the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, there were 6,407 suicides among veterans in 2022, averaging about 17.6 veteran suicides per day. The rate of suicide among veterans was 34.7 per 100,000, compared with 17.1 per 100,000 among nonveterans.
Based on a summary of several studies, the VA found a variety of factors that may increase the risk of suicide among veterans.
Some of these factors include:
- Stressors including death of a loved one, life changes, prolonged illness, etc.
- Higher doses of opioid medications for pain control
- Insomnia
- Having one or more mental health conditions
- Substance abuse
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
The VA takes the relationship between veterans and suicide seriously and provides many preventative resources for veterans experiencing suicidal ideation.
Veterans in crisis should dial 988, then press 1, or otherwise contact the Veterans Crisis Line.
How suicidal ideation affects your VA rating
To understand how suicidal ideation can affect your VA rating, it’s helpful to look at how the VA rates service-connected mental health disorders.
Mental health disorders are rated using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. These conditions may be assigned ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on the frequency and severity of your symptoms.
The VA does not classify suicidal ideation as its own condition. Instead, it’s considered a symptom of an underlying disorder. Because of this, there is no specific suicidal ideation VA rating. However, veterans who experience suicidal thoughts may still qualify for compensation if those symptoms are connected to a service-related mental health condition.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example, is one of the most common mental health conditions among veterans. If a veteran has service-connected PTSD with suicidal ideation, the symptom of suicidal ideation could mean the difference between a 50% rating and a 70% rating.
Other common mental health conditions among veterans include:
If you have any of these or other service-connected mental health conditions and are experiencing suicidal ideation, you may qualify for a higher disability rating. This additional compensation can allow you and your family space to prioritize treatment, reduce stress, and navigate any time away from work that may be needed for your recovery.
Below are the ratings criteria for mental health disorders. Notice that suicidal ideation is specifically noted as an example symptom at the 70% rating level, which can qualify a veteran for a TDIU rating.
Veteran suicide prevention resources
Veteran suicide prevention resources can offer support to those who served. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or a friend, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. Below are trusted organizations and services dedicated to providing immediate help, ongoing care, life-saving assistance, and educational opportunities.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line offers 24/7 support for veterans, their families, and friends. You can reach trained VA responders by calling 988 and pressing 1, chatting online, or texting 838255. Assistance is also available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers free, compassionate support for anyone grieving the loss of a military loved one. Their 24/7 helpline at 800-959-8277 connects families and friends with peer support and grief resources.
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DOD’s Military OneSource
Military OneSource, a resource provided by the Department of Defense, is available 24/7 and offers guidance and support to help service members and their families navigate challenges. It provides a wide range of services, including tax help, spouse employment support, relocation tools, webinars, and more.
Coaching Into Care/Caregiver Support Line
This VA telephone service helps educate and support family members and friends seeking care for a veteran. It guides loved ones to the right VA or community resources and offers coaching to help them better support the veteran in their life.
Military and Veterans Caregiver Network
The Military and Veterans Caregiver Network, run by the American Red Cross, provides peer support and resources for caregivers of service members and veterans dealing with injuries, illnesses, or aging-related needs.
How Woods & Woods can help
Our TDIU lawyers have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.
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Frequently asked questions
The VA does not recognize suicidal ideation as a condition, but rather as a symptom of a mental health disorder. Veterans who experience suicidal ideation may be eligible to receive benefits for an underlying mental health condition such as depression or PTSD.
Service-connected mental health conditions are rated using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders in the Schedule of Ratings. Potential disability ratings for mental health conditions are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% depending on the severity and frequency of symptoms.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
