★ Mental Health
Generalized Anxiety Disorder VA Rating
38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9400
Overview
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and adjustment disorder all share the same rating formula.
Frequency of panic attacks (weekly vs. more than weekly) is one of the explicit dividing lines in the rating schedule.
In Depth
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder are all rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders at 38 CFR § 4.130. As with depression, only one mental health rating is assigned even when multiple anxiety-spectrum diagnoses are present.
Anxiety claims often succeed where PTSD claims fail because the stressor-verification requirements of § 3.304(f) do not apply — anxiety can be service-connected through any documented in-service trigger, not just a discrete traumatic event.
Panic Disorder with frequent attacks is one of the few mental health conditions where symptom frequency is given specific weight in the rating criteria (panic attacks more than once a week support a 50% rating).
How to Establish Service Connection
- Direct service connection requires documentation of in-service symptoms or treatment.
- Secondary claims (anxiety due to chronic pain, tinnitus, or TBI) are very common and well-recognized.
Rating Criteria
Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9400
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Diagnosed condition, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with work or social functioning, or symptoms are controlled by continuous medication. |
| 10% | Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress. |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent inability to perform tasks; depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss. |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity; flattened affect; circumstantial speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty understanding complex commands; impairment of memory; impaired judgment; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family, judgment, thinking, mood); suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals; near-continuous panic or depression; impaired impulse control; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances; inability to maintain effective relationships. |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such 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; disorientation to time or place; memory loss for own name, occupation, or close relatives. |
See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →
Evidence Checklist
- Treatment notes documenting frequency and severity of anxiety/panic symptoms.
- Symptom journal noting panic attack frequency and triggers.
- Lay statements describing avoidance behaviors and impact on work.
Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims
Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.
- ★Quantified panic attack frequency — supported by dated treatment notes or a personal log — is generally more persuasive than general descriptors.
- ★Documented medication trials, side effects, and effectiveness are commonly cited; failed or limited response to treatment supports higher ratings.
- ★Where service connection is unclear, in-service mental health visits, behavioral health screenings, or post-deployment health assessments mentioning anxiety or sleep difficulty often appear as supporting evidence.
Common pitfalls VA sees
- Filing for anxiety as a separate condition when already rated for PTSD or depression.
- Reporting 'I'm fine' on routine health screenings, then later claiming severe symptoms — the VA notes the inconsistency.
Common Secondary Conditions
Conditions frequently service-connected as secondary to Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a Generalized Anxiety Disorder claim or denial?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. Contingent fees apply only to awarded past-due benefits on appeals — never on initial claims.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.
Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria on this page are summarized in plain English from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. This page provides general education about how the VA rates this condition; it is not individualized advice, does not establish a representation relationship, and should not be used to self-diagnose, self-treat, or decide a course of action without speaking to a qualified clinician and a VA-accredited representative. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts, evidence, and the adjudicator's judgment; no specific rating, effective date, or other result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.