Somatic symptom disorder
The VA rates Somatic symptom disorder under Diagnostic Code 9421 across 6 severity levels, from 0% to 100%. At 100%, veterans receive $3939/month or more in compensation.
Also available: View rating schedule for DC 9421
Rating schedule — DC 9421 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 100%
- Rating tiers
- 6
- CFR section
- § 4.130
- Body system
- Mental Disorders
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
Full schedular disability
0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Somatic symptom disorder?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | 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. |
| 10% | 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. |
| 30% | 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). |
| 50% | 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. |
| 70% | 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. |
| 100% | 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. |
“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.”
Common Questions About Somatic symptom disorder VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Somatic symptom disorder?
The VA rates Somatic symptom disorder under Diagnostic Code 9421 at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%. The minimum 0% rating requires: 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.. The maximum 100% rating requires: 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..
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Somatic symptom disorder?
The VA rates Somatic symptom disorder under Diagnostic Code (DC) 9421, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.130. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 0% and a 100% rating for Somatic symptom disorder?
A 0% rating requires: 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.. A 100% rating requires: 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.. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Somatic symptom disorder qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 100% rating for Somatic symptom disorder alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Somatic symptom disorder?
The key evidence for Somatic symptom disorder is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. For mental health conditions, lay statements describing social and occupational impairment, treatment records showing medication changes, and documentation of hospitalization or crisis events carry the most weight. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Somatic symptom disorder?
The C&P examiner uses a Mental Disorders DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 9421 rating criteria. The examiner conducts a clinical interview assessing occupational and social impairment. Be specific about how symptoms affect work, relationships, and daily activities — vague answers like "I'm doing fine" can result in a lower rating than warranted. Bring buddy statements from family or coworkers who observe your symptoms.
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