Question 1

Can I get life insurance with PTSD?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many people living with PTSD — including veterans — can qualify for life insurance. Mild to moderate PTSD well-managed with therapy and medication, without hospitalizations or suicidal ideation, typically qualifies for standard or table-rated coverage at many carriers. Severe PTSD with significant functional impairment or recent crisis presentations requires more careful carrier selection but is still insurable in many cases.

Question 2

Does a VA disability rating for PTSD affect my life insurance application?

Accepted Answer

A VA disability rating for PTSD is noted in underwriting but does not automatically disqualify you. Carriers evaluate the underlying condition directly through medical records rather than relying solely on the VA rating. A lower VA rating with documented stability and maintained daily function is viewed more favorably than a high rating with severe functional impairment. Many veterans with PTSD VA ratings successfully obtain life insurance coverage.

Question 3

What PTSD factors most affect life insurance underwriting?

Accepted Answer

The most important factors are symptom severity and functional impact, history of suicidal ideation or attempts, psychiatric hospitalization history, treatment engagement and compliance, and co-occurring substance use. PTSD with maintained employment, active treatment, and no hospitalization or suicidal ideation history is the most favorable underwriting presentation.

Question 4

How does substance use history affect PTSD life insurance underwriting?

Accepted Answer

PTSD frequently co-occurs with substance use disorders, and active or recent substance abuse significantly compounds underwriting concern. Most carriers require a documented period of sobriety — typically two to five years — before they will consider coverage for applicants with co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse history. Current, active substance abuse alongside PTSD typically results in decline at standard carriers.

Question 5

Is PTSD treated differently from other mental health conditions by underwriters?

Accepted Answer

PTSD is evaluated similarly to anxiety and depression in terms of the underwriting framework — severity, hospitalization history, suicidal ideation, treatment compliance, and functional impact are the key factors. One distinction is that combat-related or trauma-specific PTSD in veterans is well-recognized by many carriers, and several carriers have developed more favorable approaches for veteran applicants with managed PTSD.

PTSD Profile	Typical Rating	Best Achievable	Notes
Mild-moderate, stable on treatment, no hospitalizations	Standard to Table 4	Standard at select carriers	Well-managed PTSD is insurable at many carriers
Moderate, hospitalization 2+ years ago, stable since	Table 4–8	Table 4 with documented stability	Time since hospitalization and stability record are key
Severe, functional disability, recent crisis	Postponement or decline	Postponement pending stability	Stability period required before application is viable
Suicidal ideation within past 2 years	Postponement	Postponement at most carriers	2–5 year stability period typically required

Life Insurance with PTSD | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Life Insurance | High Risk

What Underwriters Evaluate for PTSD

PTSD Profile: General Underwriting Outlook

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