Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, OR symptoms controlled by continuous medication.
Occasional decrease in work efficiency + intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks weekly or less, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss).
Reduced reliability and productivity (flattened affect, panic attacks more than once weekly, difficulty in understanding complex commands, impairment of short and long-term memory, impaired judgment, abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood).
Deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family, judgment, thinking, mood). Suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals interfering with routine, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene.
Total occupational and social impairment. Gross impairment in thought processes/communication, persistent delusions/hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger of hurting self/others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.
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.
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.
