Anxiety ratings under diagnostic codes 9400 and 9413 use the same General Rating Formula as the other mental disorders in 38 CFR § 4.130. The formula has six levels: 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 percent. The public Mental Disorders DBQ asks the examiner to check one statement of occupational and social impairment. Under § 4.126, that selection is not the rating by itself. VA uses the whole record.
Occupational and social impairment
The schedule rates occupational and social impairment. Describe frequency, duration, treatment, and effects on work, relationships, and daily tasks, and only what is true. The public Mental Disorders DBQ (updated October 14, 2025) lists “no mental disorder diagnosis” plus six impairment statements that follow the six levels in § 4.130.
What the examiner is filling out
The Mental Disorders DBQ records:
- Diagnosis — generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or other anxiety disorder.
- Symptoms — the form says to check all symptoms that apply. The list includes anxiety, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, and near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively.
- Occupational and social impairment — one checked statement. The rating formula still has six levels, from 0 percent through 100 percent. The form also has a choice for no mental disorder diagnosis.
- History — relevant social, occupational, and mental health history, including prescribed medications.
The General Rating Formula (38 CFR § 4.130)
Diagnostic codes 9400 (generalized anxiety disorder) and 9413 (unspecified anxiety disorder) are both in the range rated under this formula. Eating disorders use a different formula.
A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.
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.
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events).
Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.
Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name.
These six rows quote the General Rating Formula in 38 CFR § 4.130. Where that formula says “due to such symptoms as,” the symptoms are examples named in the schedule. Under § 4.126, VA assigns the evaluation from all the evidence of record that bears on occupational and social impairment, rather than solely from the examiner’s assessment at the examination. The public Mental Disorders DBQ (updated October 14, 2025) and the public PTSD Review DBQ (updated October 3, 2025) use shorter checkbox lines. Their 10 percent line says “symptoms controlled by medication.” The regulation says “symptoms controlled by continuous medication.”
How to read the criteria
Use the criteria to understand the form
The rating schedule describes findings VA may consider. It is not a script. Describe only what is true in your own words, including frequency, duration, treatment, good and bad days, and effects on daily activities or work. Do not select or rehearse a rating tier.
Evidence to bring
A symptom log can show the frequency of panic attacks, sleep impairment, and effects on work. A spouse or coworker can describe behavior they have observed. Treatment records can show medication and therapy notes. None of those items assigns a percentage by itself.
Describe the full picture accurately
Accuracy reminder
Describe what is true in your own words, including frequency, duration, treatment, good and bad days, and effects on daily activities or work. Do not exaggerate, omit improvement, rehearse a rating tier, or guess. If something varies or you do not know, say that clearly.
Use this with the rest of the site
- ▸ Anxiety Disorders condition guide — the rating schedule and evidence checklist for that condition.
- ▸ C&P Exam Prep — a checklist for organizing your history, treatment, and questions before the exam.
- ▸ Coach preview — free five-question preview; the dashboard organizes C&P prep and a VSO packet.
- ▸ Full C&P exam guide — how to describe your symptoms accurately.
Get the free Secondary Conditions Checklist by email
Educational content only. VA publishes Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires. Some DBQs are not available for public use. Rating criteria are in 38 CFR Part 4. Not legal or medical advice. Always consult a VA-accredited VSO or attorney for claim-specific guidance. CFR citations: 38 CFR § 4.130 (General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, diagnostic codes 9400 and 9413), § 4.126 (evaluation of mental disorders)..