•What is the primary question addressed by this study?This study provides estimates of PTSD and associated comorbidities in a nationally representative sample of older U.S. military veterans.•What is the main finding of this study? Overall, 9.6% of veterans had subthreshold PTSD and 1.9% full PTSD; but was higher in women and those who use VA as their main source healthcare. Veterans with subthreshold PTSD were equally as likely as those with full PTSD to have psychiatric, mental, cognitive, and functional comorbidities, including a history of suicide attempts and current suicidal ideation.•What is the meaning of the finding:Clinicians should attend to subthreshold and full PTSD in older adults.