Depression / Major Depressive Disorder
Depression is rated under the same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders as PTSD (38 CFR § 4.130). The rating levels and criteria are identical — it's all about how much your symptoms impair your work, social life, and daily functioning.
VA Rating Levels
Diagnosed, but symptoms are controlled and don't significantly affect your daily life or work.
Mild symptoms. Occasional decrease in work efficiency or ability to perform tasks during periods of significant stress. You may need continuous medication.
Occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. Depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep problems, mild memory loss.
Difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. Reduced reliability, flattened affect, impaired judgment or abstract thinking. Panic attacks more than weekly.
Inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. Suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression affecting your ability to function independently. Neglected personal appearance, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.
Total occupational and social impairment. You can't work or maintain any relationships. Gross impairment in thought processes, persistent danger to yourself, inability to perform basic self-care.
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →If you have both PTSD and depression, the VA will usually rate them together under one mental health rating (they use the same criteria)
- →Document how depression affects your work performance, relationships, and daily activities
- →Be honest about suicidal thoughts at your C&P exam if you have them — this is a key criterion for 70%+
- →Common secondary conditions: insomnia, weight changes, chronic fatigue
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9434