VA rates depression (DC 9434) and anxiety (DC 9400) on the exact same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR 4.130) it uses for PTSD — 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100% based on occupational and social impairment. Only the diagnostic code changes; the rating ladder is identical.
If you're in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential, 24/7 — dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255.
Straight talk first
The same rule that governs PTSD governs depression and anxiety: VA rates the impairment, and the symptoms listed at each level are examples, not a checklist. So the evidence that wins isn't "I have these symptoms" — it's "here's how this keeps me from working and connecting with people." And a huge share of these claims are secondaries — depression that grows out of living with chronic pain from a service-connected condition. Don't overlook that path.
This is the depression/anxiety cut of how VA rates conditions.
How the rating works (38 CFR 4.130)
| Rating | Level of impairment |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas — work, family, judgment, thinking, or mood |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency |
| 10% | Mild/transient symptoms, or controlled by continuous medication |
| 0% | Diagnosed, but not severe enough to impair functioning or need medication |
One mental-health rating, usually
If you carry more than one mental health diagnosis — say depression and PTSD — VA generally assigns a single combined evaluation under 4.130 rather than separate ratings, because the symptoms overlap and can't be counted twice. The diagnoses coexist; the rating is shared.
A note on what's coming
VA has proposed replacing this formula with a five-functional-domains system. As of mid-2026 it's not finalized, so the formula above still controls. We'll update if it takes effect.
Direct or secondary?
- Secondary — very common: depression/anxiety secondary to chronic pain or another service-connected condition, under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Direct — onset or link to service.
You'll need a current diagnosis, the service link or primary, and a nexus. See how to file your own claim, then check the combined picture in the VA Combined Rating Calculator.
Key takeaways
- Depression (9434) and anxiety (9400) use the same formula as PTSD — 0–100% by occupational and social impairment (38 CFR 4.130).
- The listed symptoms are examples, not a checklist — evidence should show impairment.
- Multiple mental health diagnoses usually share one rating.
- They're frequently a strong secondary to chronic pain — don't overlook that lane.
Frequently asked questions
- How does VA rate depression and anxiety?
- Depression (DC 9434) and generalized anxiety (DC 9400) are rated under the same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR 4.130) used for PTSD: 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100% based on how much your symptoms impair you occupationally and socially — not on how many symptoms you have.
- Are depression and anxiety rated separately from PTSD?
- Generally no. When a veteran has more than one mental health condition, VA usually assigns a single combined rating under 38 CFR 4.130 rather than stacking separate ratings, because the symptoms overlap. The diagnoses can coexist, but they typically share one mental-health evaluation.
- Can depression or anxiety be a secondary condition?
- Very often. Depression and anxiety are commonly claimed as secondary to chronic pain or another service-connected condition under 38 CFR 3.310 — for example, depression secondary to a painful, limiting physical disability. They can also be claimed directly if they began in or are linked to service.
- What evidence helps a depression or anxiety claim?
- Evidence of how your symptoms affect work and relationships — treatment records, a current diagnosis, and statements describing functional impact. Because the rating is about occupational and social impairment, aim your evidence at impact, not just a list of symptoms.
Sources
- 38 CFR 4.130 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9434, 9400): https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.130
- 38 CFR 3.310 — secondary service connection: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/section-3.310
- VA — Mental health and VA disability compensation: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/
- Veterans Crisis Line — dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
