Va Depression Rating Criteria

The veteran may experience mild periods of high stress resulting in minor social and occupational impairment.

Va depression rating criteria. The rating is based on the effects of the symptoms on a veterans ability to function not on the symptoms themselves. If your major depressive disorder is considered a service-connected disability the VA will assign a rating of either 0 10 30 50 70 or 100. The assigned VA disability rates for depression may be 0 10 30 50 70 or 100. 417 - Total Disability Ratings for Pension Based on Unemployability and Age of the Individual 417a - 418 - Misconduct EtiologyUnemployability 419 - 421 - Age in Service-Connected ClaimsAnalogous RatingsApplication of Rating Schedule 422 - 423 - Rating of Disabilities Aggravated by Active ServiceAttitude of Rating Officers 424.

The VA disability rates for depression are determined using a General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders This category includes a scale of how severely your depression affects or impairs your daily ability to function. Instead of asking What is the veterans diagnosis the VA rating formula asks What is the level of occupational and social impairment There are six possible VA ratings for depression. In order to get a VA rating for PTSD and Depression you need to have 1 A medical diagnosis of both conditions with a separate diagnosis for each 2 A clear Nexus to prove service connection for PTSD and Depression and 3 Current symptoms of the mental health conditions. The VA rates depression using the same general rating formula as all mental disorders including anxiety schizophrenia psychosis bipolar disorder PTSD and adjustment disorder.

The ratings are broken down as follows. A 100 rating is warranted only where a veteran has absolutely no ability to function socially or at work. If you receive a 0 rating the VA found your major depressive disorder to be service-connected but also found that the condition does not affect your life enough to receive benefits. To assign a 70 rating the VA must find symptoms such as suicidal ideation ritualistic behaviors illogical speech nearly continuous panic or depression impaired impulse control difficulty adapting to stress neglect of personal appearance or an inability to maintain relationships work or social.

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. Mental health conditions are rated at 0 10 30 50 70 and 100 percent using VAs General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. 10 VA Rating Criteria for MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER. VA claims for PTSD and Depression are rated on the same general scale according to CFR 38 Part 4 Schedule for Rating Disabilities General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

Rating Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks total duration per year and requiring hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding. While the VA has different diagnostic codes for different mental illnesses such as 9411 for PTSD and 9434 for depression all mental health conditions are rated under the same criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV published by the American Psychiatric Association. How Does VA Rate Depression. A mental condition has been formally diagnosed but symptoms are not severe enough to either interfere with.

However the condition does not cause any major functional impairment and can be managed with medication. These ratings are based on the level of social and occupational impairment a veteran experiences and the severity of symptoms VA uses to characterize that impairment.