VA Mental Health Rating System: The General Formula Explained
Every VA mental health condition — PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more — is rated under the exact same General Rating Formula. Here's exactly how that single formula works, and why the specific diagnosis matters less than you'd expect.
All mental health conditions are rated under 38 CFR § 4.130 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% are based on occupational and social impairment level, not on which specific diagnosis you carry.
The VA rates mental health conditions under Diagnostic Code 9400 series. The difference between rating levels often hinges on a handful of specific findings that examiners check during the C&P exam. Knowing what each level requires lets you advocate for an accurate rating — and identify when an under-rating warrants an appeal.
Rating Criteria
Why one formula covers all mental health conditions
The VA decided in 1996 to rate all mental disorders by their functional impairment level rather than by diagnostic category — a more defensible and consistent standard than rating PTSD differently from depression or anxiety for symptoms that look functionally similar in daily life.
How occupational and social impairment is judged
The rater compares your documented symptoms against the descriptive criteria at each rating level, from 0% through 100%. Symptoms not specifically listed in the regulation's example language can still count toward a higher rating if they demonstrably affect your occupational and social functioning in a comparable way.
Evidence That Drives the Rating
- Mental health treatment records showing ongoing symptom management and severity over time
- Lay statements from family, friends, or coworkers describing observed changes in functioning
- Work performance evaluations or documentation showing occupational impact
- Personal symptom logs tracking frequency and severity of specific symptoms
Want the complete picture across PTSD, anxiety, depression, and secondary conditions?
See the Full Mental Health Claims GuideWhat to Expect at the C&P Exam
The examiner will complete the DBQ specific to mental health conditions. Bring symptom logs, treatment records, and a clear description of how the condition affects daily life and work. Describe your worst typical day, not your best day.
Why This Matters for Multi-Diagnosis Veterans
If you have both PTSD and depression, for example, you don't get two separate ratings stacked together — the VA looks at your overall symptom picture across both conditions and assigns one combined rating reflecting your total occupational and social impairment. This makes documenting the full range of your symptoms, regardless of which diagnosis technically produced them, more useful than trying to separate out which symptom belongs to which label.
The Symptom Examples Are Illustrative, Not Exhaustive
Each rating level in the regulation lists example symptoms (like sleep impairment, memory loss, or suicidal ideation at higher levels), but these are meant to illustrate the general severity level, not serve as a rigid checklist. A rater is supposed to consider the overall level of impairment your symptoms represent, even if your specific presentation doesn't match every listed example exactly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the specific diagnosis itself determines the rating, when it's actually the functional impairment level that matters.
- Not documenting concrete day-to-day impact on work and relationships, which is what the rating criteria are actually built around.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Understanding the rating schedule for mental health conditions turns a passive exam into an active conversation. Walk in knowing what level your symptoms support — and what evidence backs it up.
Want the complete picture across PTSD, anxiety, depression, and secondary conditions?
See the Full Mental Health Claims Guide