Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) — VA Rating Criteria (38 CFR DC 9424)
The VA rates Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) under 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9424, from 0% to 100% based on the frequency and functional severity of symptoms. 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; persi…. Related conditions in the Mental Disorders body system share this rating framework.
What are the VA rating criteria for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)?
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.
“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.”
How does the VA rate Mental Disorders conditions?
Common Questions About Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) VA Ratings
What is the VA disability rating for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)?
The VA rates Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) under Diagnostic Code 9424 at the following tiers: 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..
What is Diagnostic Code 9424?
Diagnostic Code 9424 is the VA rating identifier for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) within 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.130. It defines the specific symptom criteria and percentage thresholds a VA adjudicator uses to assign a disability rating. The diagnostic code is listed on a veteran's rating decision letter.
What is the highest rating for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)?
The highest schedular rating for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) under DC 9424 is 100%. This tier 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.. Veterans who cannot secure substantially gainful employment due to Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) alone or in combination with other service-connected conditions may also qualify for TDIU at the 100% compensation rate under 38 CFR § 4.16.
What 38 CFR section governs Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) ratings?
Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) is rated under 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9424. This section is part of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) and can be read in full at the eCFR website.
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)?
Secondary conditions caused or aggravated by Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) may be ratable under 38 CFR § 3.310. Veterans should work with a VSO or accredited claims agent to document the medical relationship.
What evidence do I need to establish service connection for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)?
Service connection for Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) requires three elements: (1) a current diagnosis of the condition, (2) an in-service event, injury, or disease that may have caused or aggravated it, and (3) a medical nexus connecting the current diagnosis to that in-service event. A nexus letter from a treating physician or independent medical examiner is the most reliable nexus evidence. C&P exam findings can also establish nexus if adequately documented.
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