Anxiety disorders may be rated under codes such as 9400 or 9413 depending on the diagnosed condition. Most percentage evaluations follow the general rating formula described for mental disorders.
Regulatory change notice: The VA has proposed a major overhaul of mental health rating criteria under 38 CFR 4.130. The proposed rule replaces the current "occupational and social impairment" formula with a five-domain system (cognition, interpersonal interactions, task completion, life activities, self-care) scored on severity levels 0–4. The proposed rule would also eliminate the 0 percent level so any diagnosed mental condition receives at least 10 percent. As of early 2026, this rule has not been finalized. Existing ratings are expected to be grandfathered. Always verify the live eCFR for the version in effect for your claim.
Rating criteria current as of 2026-04-01 (verify against the live eCFR).
Diagnostic Codes 9400 and 9413 and the general mental disorder formula
DC 9400 and DC 9413 identify specific anxiety diagnoses in the schedule depending on the supported condition, such as generalized anxiety disorder or other anxiety spectrum diagnoses as labeled in the record. The percentage still comes from the general rating formula for mental disorders in 38 CFR 4.130. The formula describes occupational and social impairment with examples at 100, 70, 50, 30, 10, and 0 percent levels. Read the regulation for exact wording; this section orients you without replacing it.
Educational recap of percentage levels
- 100 percent discusses total occupational and social impairment with examples like grossly inappropriate behavior or severe memory loss.
- 70 percent discusses impairment in most realms of life with examples like suicidal ideation and near continuous panic or depression under schedule wording.
- 50 percent discusses reduced reliability and productivity with examples like panic attacks more than once a week and memory problems.
- 30 percent discusses occasional work efficiency loss; the schedule lists examples such as anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks weekly or less often, sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.
- 10 percent discusses mild symptoms during stress or control with continuous medication.
- 0 percent discusses a formal diagnosis without enough interference to warrant a higher step.
Symptoms often documented in anxiety treatment
Excessive worry, panic attacks, avoidance, somatic tension, hypervigilance, sleep disruption, and concentration problems appear in clinical notes. Severity and persistence over time matter for matching schedule language for DC 9400 and DC 9413 claims.
Compensation and pension mental health examination tips
Describe a typical month of functioning. If PTSD is also claimed, keep trauma symptoms and anxiety symptoms organized in your answers without denying overlap where it exists. Bring medication bottles or a pharmacy printout. If you had psychiatric hospitalization, know approximate dates.
Evidence beyond therapy notes
Primary care screening tools (GAD-7 and similar), employer attendance records, and family statements about social withdrawal or avoidance can appear. Inpatient discharge summaries carry weight when they map impairment to functional domains. Screening scores track trends but are not the rating schedule.
Secondary and related conditions
PTSD under DC 9411 and depression under DC 9434 may coexist with anxiety disorders. TBI under DC 8045 can produce anxiety symptoms that require careful attribution. Pyramiding rules prevent duplicate payment for identical disability.
Substance use disorder overlap
Dual diagnosis treatment records should show integrated care. VA applies legal rules about substance use and service connection that this page does not summarize as legal advice.
Medication trials and advanced treatments
Antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication trials, augmentation strategies, and side effects belong in the chart. Nonadherence should be explained clinically rather than hidden. Procedure notes for advanced treatments like TMS or ECT document level of care and support severity context.
Diagnostic accuracy matters
Clinicians distinguish normal grief or worry from diagnosable disorders. Bipolar codes differ from primary anxiety codes. Accurate diagnosis wording prevents schedule mismatch. Personality disorder language from older Axis II charts may still appear; current clinicians integrate formulations differently.
Chronic pain and anxiety
Back pain and knee conditions can coexist with anxiety disorders. Each code path stays separate when service connected. Sleep apnea under DC 6847 affects sleep quality separately when documented.
Work accommodations and employment evidence
Reduced hours, quiet workspace letters, or employer attendance records illustrate functional impact. Performance improvement plans citing concentration errors or absenteeism can be relevant but should be handled through proper channels with accredited help. Work accommodations do not replace exam findings.
Additional documentation notes
The following themes sometimes appear in anxiety claim files. They do not replace the rating formula but help readers understand the variety of records the VA may review.
- Telehealth: Video visits are valid when policy compliant. Modality should be clear in notes.
- Cultural stigma and delayed care: Later intensive treatment still counts when credible. Interpreter use should be documented.
- Suicidal ideation: Crisis line calls may not always generate charts. ER visits create stronger documentation.
- Routine future exams: Symptom change can trigger updated evaluations.
- IOP and partial hospitalization: Program names do not pick a percentage; functional descriptions in progress notes do.
- MST informed care: Trauma therapy notes may be restricted. Rating still uses 38 CFR when connection is established.
- Comorbidities: Pain clinics screen for anxiety; endocrine disorders can affect mood; ADHD and chronic fatigue may coexist and require differentiation from the primary anxiety disorder.
- Medication management: Blood levels (lithium, valproate), thyroid panels, and pharmacy histories document care intensity.
- Social Security: SSA decisions use different rules. Some veterans submit SSA records to VA; relevance varies.
Combined ratings
Use /calculator with tinnitus or sleep apnea for educational modeling.
Related guides
See depression, PTSD, and TBI. Practice combined ratings at /calculator.
Legal disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Rating criteria are summarized from publicly available 38 CFR regulations. Consult a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or VA-accredited attorney for advice on your specific claim.