The VA rates anxiety at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on the severity of your occupational and social impairment. The most common (average) ratings for anxiety are 50% and 70%. Crucially, the VA evaluates all mental health conditions (except eating disorders) under a single General Rating Formula. If you have both anxiety and depression, you will receive one combined rating, not two separate ones.
| Percentage | Official Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Formal diagnosis of anxiety, but symptoms do not interfere with occupational or social functioning; no continuous medication required. |
| 10% | Mild symptoms causing transient decreased work efficiency during high stress, or symptoms fully controlled by continuous medication. |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency. Symptoms include depressed mood, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment. |
| 50% | Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. Symptoms include flattened affect, regular panic attacks (more than once a week), impaired judgment, difficulty maintaining complex relationships. |
| 70% | Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. Symptoms include suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal hygiene. Often the highest rating while maintaining employment. |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment. Symptoms include gross impairment in thought processes, persistent delusions or hallucinations, danger to self or others, complete inability to perform activities of daily living. |
Source: 38 CFR § 4.130, General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
1. Confirm diagnosis and timeline.
2. Map direct vs secondary route.
3. Model combined outcomes in calculator.
4. Draft lay evidence and nexus packet.
References: 38 CFR 4.130, 38 CFR 3.310.
Sources: 38 CFR § 4.14 (Avoidance of Pyramiding), 38 CFR § 4.126 (Evaluation of Mental Disorders).
30%: $537.42 / month
50%: $1,102.04 / month
70%: $1,716.28 / month
100%: $3,823.89 / month
To win your claim, you must submit a completed Mental Health Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) and establish a Nexus (medical link). There are two primary ways to do this:
You must prove that a specific event, trauma, or environment during active duty directly caused your anxiety. This often requires in-service medical records showing you sought treatment, or lay statements from fellow service members.
You can claim anxiety as a secondary condition if an already service-connected physical disability caused it. High-success secondary claims for anxiety include:
Sources: 38 CFR § 3.310 (Secondary Service Connection), VA Form 21-0960P-2 (Mental Disorders DBQ).
5-Year Rule: VA cannot reduce based on a single C&P exam; must prove sustained, material improvement over time.
10-Year Rule: VA cannot sever service connection entirely (percentage can still fluctuate).
20-Year Rule: Rating at a specific percentage for 20 continuous years is permanently protected from reduction.
Age 55 Rule: Veterans over 55 are generally not scheduled for routine re-examinations.
100% P&T: If rated 100% and deemed Permanent and Total, protected from future exams.
Source: 38 CFR § 3.327 (Reexaminations).
The VA rates anxiety at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% under Diagnostic Code 9400 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and the General Rating Formula in 38 CFR 4.130. The most common ratings are 50% and 70%.
No. Under the VA's anti-pyramiding rules (38 CFR 4.14), all mental health conditions except eating disorders are evaluated under one combined rating. You receive a single mental health rating, not separate ones.
You must submit a Mental Health DBQ and establish a nexus (medical link). Direct service connection requires proof an in-service event caused your anxiety. Secondary service connection is common—e.g., anxiety secondary to tinnitus or chronic pain.
Your rating is protected under several rules: 5-year (sustained-improvement standard), 10-year (connection protection), 20-year (percentage protection), Age 55 (fewer re-exams), and 100% P&T (no future exams).