What CFR section governs Depression / Anxiety / Adjustment Disorder ratings?

38 CFR 4.130 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Always verify current criteria at va.gov before filing.

VA Disability Rating Guide

Depression / Anxiety / Adjustment Disorder — VA disability rating

38 CFR 4.130 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

All mental-health conditions (except eating disorders) rated under the SAME formula as PTSD: 0/10/30/50/70/100% under 38 CFR 4.130.

Rating tiers

Diagnosed but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with functioning. No medication required.

$ pay rate at 0% →

10%

Mild symptoms decreasing work efficiency only during stress, OR symptoms controlled by continuous medication.

$ pay rate at 10% →

30%

Occasional decrease in work efficiency, intermittent depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment.

$ pay rate at 30% →

50%

Reduced reliability and productivity (flattened affect, panic attacks more than once weekly, difficulty understanding complex commands, memory impairment).

$ pay rate at 50% →

70%

Deficiencies in most areas (work, family, judgment, thinking, mood). Suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic/depression, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal hygiene.

$ pay rate at 70% →

100%

Total occupational and social impairment. Gross impairment in thought processes, persistent delusions/hallucinations, danger of self-harm, inability to perform activities of daily living.

$ pay rate at 100% →

Evidence checklist

C&P examination by a VA psychiatrist (DSM-5 diagnosis required)
Treatment records (VA mental health, private psychiatrist, therapy notes)
Medication records
In-service mental health documentation OR nexus to a service-connected physical condition (e.g., depression secondary to chronic pain)

Common filing mistakes

Filing depression/anxiety as a separate condition from PTSD — VA combines all mental-health conditions into ONE rating (you can't double-rate)
Filing without claiming secondary to a service-connected physical condition — chronic pain commonly causes depression; this is high-success secondary
Stopping medication before C&P exam — the C&P examiner rates symptoms WITH medication, but the diagnostic threshold remains based on functional impact

How to file

File VA Form 21-526EZ with the diagnosis evidence above. A free CVSO will assemble your claim and file it on your behalf at no cost.

VA Form 21-526EZ → Find a free CVSO →

In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Filing mental-health claims can be re-traumatizing — please reach out for support if you need it.

Related conditions

Other VA rating guides

About this guide

VA disability rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). Criteria are subject to revision; always verify current rules at va.gov/disability/ before filing. This page is informational and is not a substitute for personalized advice from a CVSO, VSO representative, or VA-accredited attorney. Free claim help available from CVSOs and VSOs in every U.S. county.