How Can I Get a VA Disability Rating for Anxiety?

As with any medical condition, the first step toward getting a VA disability rating for anxiety is to show that your anxiety is service-connected. The VA recognizes several different types of anxiety and anxiety-related conditions as potentially service-connected.

Anxiety and related disorders are evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. It is up to the veteran to provide the VA with sufficient evidence of the symptoms and limitations caused by the condition to establish the right VA disability rating.

That generally includes evidence such as:

Medical records
A statement from the veteran
One of more buddy statements from people who have knowledge of the veteran’s symptoms and limitations

Here’s how the VA rates some of the most common anxiety-related conditions.

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VA Disability Ratings for Anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions may be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% or 100%. A 0% rating is assigned when the veteran has been diagnosed with a service-connected mental health condition, but the symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning and do not require regular medication.

The remaining ratings are assigned as follows:

10%: Impairment of occupational and social function due to mild or passing symptoms that only affect the ability to perform work tasks during periods of significant stress OR when symptoms are controlled by continuous medication.
30%: Occupational and social impairment with occasional diminishment in efficiency and intermittent inability to perform work tasks because of symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks and chronic sleep impairment.
50%: Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity because of symptoms such as panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective relationships.
70%: Occupational and social impairment with deficits in most areas, because of symptoms such as near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, difficulty adjusting to stressful situations and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
100%: Total occupational and social impairment.

If a veteran seeking VA disability benefits for anxiety has other service-connected conditions, the combined disability rating may be higher. However, when there are overlapping symptoms those symptoms will not be separately considered for each condition.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Disabled Vets is Here to Help

Assembling a strong VA disability claim or appeal can be complicated, and the process can be stressful–especially if you are already battling anxiety or a related disorder. At Disabled Vets, we know what type of information the VA is looking for and how to present it effectively. To learn more about how we can help, call 888-373-4722 or fill out our contact form here.