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View Full Enhanced Guide →38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.130
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
dc-9400-generalized-anxiety-disorder
Mental health
Diagnostic code
9400
Why your DC matters: DC 9400 is the exact code the VA uses to rate this condition. It determines which symptoms unlock which percentage, what evidence the rater looks for, and which secondaries are most likely to be approved.
Last verified against 38 CFR (eCFR Part 4):
Rating criteria (38 CFR Part 4)
Diagnostic code 9400 — Generalized Anxiety Disorder — is a common mental health condition rated under the General Formula for Mental Disorders, listed under 38 CFR § 4.130.
Anxiety disorders can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% based on occupational and social impairment, with common ratings being 30%, 50%, or 70%. Panic attacks are specifically considered in the rating criteria.
For a comprehensive guide with visual compensation breakdowns, secondary conditions, evidence strategies, and claim timelines, visit the detailed guide page for this condition.
Exact rating criteria: Ratings are based on occupational and social impairment and panic attack frequency: 10% for mild symptoms, 30% for occasional decrease in work efficiency and panic attacks weekly or less, 50% for reduced reliability and panic attacks more than once a week, 70% for deficiencies in most areas and near-continuous panic, 100% for total impairment.
Effective dates & which schedule version applies
Which diagnostic code, percentage, and effective date apply depends on the facts of your claim and the version of the rating schedule in force for the period being decided. Generally, VA applies the schedule in effect at the specified time under 38 U.S.C. § 5110 and implementing rules, subject to exceptions (e.g., protected ratings, liberalizing law changes—see regulation and VA manual policy as applicable).
For older claims, the **current** eCFR may not match the text that applied years ago. If your decision references a prior percentage or code, compare against the Part 4 text **as of** your claim’s relevant dates; historical Federal Register / CFR snapshots may be needed for precise comparison.
The “Last verified” date on this page is when we last checked this educational summary against the electronic CFR—not the date of any VA policy or your personal claim decision.
Notes for your claim
Evidence: Show that your diagnosis and severity match the factors the schedule names for DC 9400 (e.g., measurements, frequency, treatment, functional loss), with medical and lay evidence as appropriate.
C&P exams: Results should reflect the schedule’s requirements (correct joints measured, correct formulas). If the exam omits required findings, consider submitting records or requesting clarification.
If you disagree with the DC, percentage, or effective date, review the Part 4 text for your period and consider a supplemental claim or appeal with a VA-accredited representative.
This site does not provide legal advice.
Official source
38 CFR Part 4 (eCFR) — locate diagnostic code 9400 in the subpart for your body system (use Find in Page if needed).
GAD is rated under the same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders as PTSD, MDD, and every other § 4.130 condition. The criteria are about functional impairment — work AND social — not about which specific anxiety symptoms you have. GAD-specific tactical issue: examiners frequently rate GAD lower than equivalent PTSD because the trauma-narrative is missing. Don't accept that — the rating is symptom severity and impairment, not etiology.
Rating Tiers — What Each Percentage Requires
| Rating | What It Takes | Evidence That Supports It |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment — gross impairment in thought processes, persistent delusions/hallucinations, grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent danger to self/others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation, memory loss for own name. | Psychiatric hospitalization, conservator, inability to live independently. |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, mood) — suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic, impaired impulse control, neglect of hygiene, inability to maintain effective relationships, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances including work. | SI in therapy notes, lost jobs, isolation, ER mental health visits, panic attacks several times weekly. |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity — flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired memory, impaired judgment, mood disturbance interfering with work and relationships. | Panic attacks 1–7x/week documented; therapy notes describing avoidance/worry interfering with work; PHQ/GAD-7 scores >15. |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks — but generally functioning satisfactorily. Symptoms include depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, weekly panic attacks, mild memory loss. | Continuous SSRI/benzodiazepine prescription; regular therapy; occasional missed work; documented panic attacks weekly. |
| 10% | Mild or transient symptoms decreasing work efficiency only during significant stress — OR symptoms controlled by continuous medication. | Stable on SSRI; minimal functional impact. |
| 0% | Formal diagnosis without symptoms severe enough to require treatment. | Diagnosis only; no treatment. |
What Qualifies as 'Generalized Anxiety Disorder' Under DC 9400?
DSM-5 diagnosis of GAD by a qualified clinician
Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, with at least 3 of the 6 DSM symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance). Diagnosis must be by a psychiatrist, psychologist, LCSW, or equivalent.
Rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (§ 4.130)
Same formula as PTSD, MDD, and every other § 4.130 condition. Impairment, not symptom count, drives the rating:
- • 0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 70% / 100% — same tiers as PTSD/MDD
- • 50% gateway = panic attacks more than once a week + reduced reliability and productivity
- • 70% gateway = deficiencies in MOST areas + SI or near-continuous panic
- • 100% = total occupational AND social impairment
Language Your Rater Needs to See
These are the exact (or near-exact) regulatory phrases that unlock specific tiers. If your DBQ or C&P report doesn't use this vocabulary, the rater may default to a lower percentage even when symptoms qualify.
“Panic attacks more than once a week”
This is THE 50% indicator for anxiety. Examiners often write 'occasional panic attacks' — vague language that defaults to 30%. Be specific: 'I had 4 panic attacks last week, 3 the week before.' Frequency >1x/week = 50% gate.
“Reduced reliability and productivity”
The 50% gateway phrase. The examiner must connect the symptoms to specific WORK impacts — missed deadlines, errors, conflict, absenteeism. Without the work-link, you cap at 30%.
“Difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a worklike setting”
70% gate. If new work demands or schedule changes trigger you into panic or paralysis, that's adaptation difficulty — well-documented in many GAD cases.
“Suicidal ideation (passive or active)”
Even PASSIVE SI ('I sometimes wish I wouldn't wake up') is a 70% indicator. Don't deny it on the exam if it's true; therapy notes should already reflect it.
Evidence Checklist — Specific to This Condition
Mental Disorders DBQ — private psychiatrist preferred
CRITICALSame DBQ as PTSD/MDD. Private versions tend to be more thorough than VA C&P. Make sure all symptoms across all domains are documented.
Continuous treatment records
CRITICALTherapy notes, psychiatric med visits, ER mental health visits. Gaps = 'improvement.' Maintain monthly+ contact.
GAD-7 / PHQ-9 score history
IMPORTANTObjective severity measures. GAD-7 ≥15 = severe anxiety; supports 50%+.
Medication regimen — SSRI, SNRI, benzodiazepine PRN
IMPORTANTMultiple medication trials and dose escalations = treatment-resistant = higher severity rating.
Employment records
IMPORTANTTermination letters, attendance records, accommodation requests, performance reviews. Critical for TDIU.
Nexus letter (for direct or secondary SC)
CRITICALIf filing as secondary to chronic pain, TBI, tinnitus, or another SC condition, get a medical opinion linking GAD to the primary.
C&P Exam Tips
Describe panic-attack frequency in concrete numbers
'I had 12 panic attacks last month' lands the rating. 'I have panic attacks sometimes' doesn't. Keep a tally on your phone.
Connect anxiety to WORK and FAMILY
'I avoid meetings because I can't breathe. I skipped my daughter's recital because of the crowd.' Specific impacts > general distress.
Don't deny suicidal ideation if it's true
Passive SI is a 70% indicator. If you've thought 'I'd be better off not waking up,' say so — it's evidence, not weakness.
Don't say medications have you 'doing better'
Per § 4.126, ratings reflect impairment DESPITE treatment. Describe what symptoms remain on meds, not how much they've helped.
Common Mistakes That Cost Veterans Points
Filing GAD when already rated for PTSD or MDD
Pyramiding (§ 4.14) — same § 4.130 formula, same impairment. Usually no benefit and may trigger an exam that reduces your existing mental health rating. Consult a VSO first.
Letting examiner default to 30% because there's no trauma
GAD doesn't require a trauma history. Symptom severity drives the rating. If your impairment matches 50% criteria, push back on a 30% decision.
Not filing TDIU at 70%
If GAD prevents employment, TDIU pays at 100% rate. File Form 21-8940 once you have a 60%+ single rating or 70%+ combined.
Skipping the secondary-to-chronic-pain pathway
Veterans with rated MSK conditions often develop anxiety. Filing GAD as secondary to chronic pain bypasses the in-service-onset requirement entirely.
Tactical Plays
⚡ Don't pyramid — choose ONE primary mental health condition
If you're rated for PTSD, don't file GAD as a separate primary claim. Same formula = same impairment = no extra money. But you CAN file GAD as the primary IF nothing mental-health is yet rated — sometimes easier to grant than PTSD (no stressor requirement).
⚡ Secondary to chronic pain is the easy lane
Rated for MSK conditions and developing anxiety? File GAD as secondary to chronic pain. Literature is strong; a single PCP nexus letter usually wins. Bypasses in-service onset entirely.
⚡ TDIU at 70% GAD = 100% comp
If your anxiety prevents working — agoraphobia, panic in workplaces, inability to handle stress — file TDIU (Form 21-8940). Pays at the 100% rate without requiring a 100% schedular rating.
Secondary Conditions to File With This One
Sleep apnea / insomnia
STRONGDC 6847
Anxiety disrupts sleep; sleep apnea is well-linked.
GERD / IBS
STRONGDC 7346
Gut-brain axis. Highly accepted secondary to GAD.
Hypertension
MODERATEDC 7101
Chronic stress + medication side effects.
Erectile dysfunction (SSRI side effect)
STRONGDC 7522
Anti-anxiety medication side effect. Unlocks SMC-K.
Compensation Scenarios
2026 rates (effective Dec 1, 2025, per va.gov)
10% — single, no dependents
Base rating
$180.42
TOTAL
$180.42/mo
Mild GAD controlled by SSRI.
30% — single, no dependents
Base rating
$552.47
TOTAL
$552.47/mo
Continuous SSRI + weekly panic attacks + regular therapy.
50% — single, no dependents
Base rating
$1,132.90
TOTAL
$1,132.90/mo
Panic attacks > 1x/week + work conflict + reduced reliability.
70% — single, no dependents
Base rating
$1,808.45
TOTAL
$1,808.45/mo
Deficiencies in most areas + SI + near-continuous panic.
100% — single, no dependents
Base rating
$3,938.58
TOTAL
$3,938.58/mo
Total impairment in work AND social.
70% GAD + TDIU = 100% pay
Base rating
$3,938.58
TOTAL
$3,938.58/mo
TDIU at 70% GAD pays the 100% rate via Form 21-8940. ~$2,130/mo more than 70% schedular.
Note: Amounts are approximations rounded to nearest dollar. Actual comp varies with effective date, dependents (spouse, children, parents — each adds), Aid & Attendance, and additional disabilities. Combined ratings use VA Math (§ 4.25), not simple addition.
Key Definitions
⚡What is a Panic Attack?
Sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort peaking within minutes, with autonomic symptoms (palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath). Per DC 9400, frequency drives the rating: weekly → 30%; more than weekly → 50%; near-continuous → 70%.
🌀What is 'Difficulty Adapting to Stressful Circumstances'?
The 70% gateway phrase for anxiety. New work demands, schedule changes, or unexpected events trigger panic, avoidance, or paralysis. Well-documented in many GAD cases.
⚖️Why is GAD often rated lower than PTSD?
Same formula, same tiers, same possible percentages. Some raters perceive GAD as 'less serious' because there's no trauma narrative — but the rating is symptom severity and impairment, NOT etiology. Push back on under-ratings.
How to File Your Claim
Maintain continuous mental health treatment
Monthly+ therapy and psychiatric med-management visits. Gaps in care read as 'improvement' to raters. Use VA mental health or maintain a private provider.
Track panic attacks in writing
Date, location, trigger, duration, severity. Frequency drives the rating: weekly = 30% gate, > weekly = 50%, near-continuous = 70%. Vague 'occasional' language defaults to 30%.
File VA Form 21-526EZ specifying 'generalized anxiety disorder' (DC 9400)
If not yet service-connected for any mental health condition, file primary. If chronic pain or other physical conditions are SC, file GAD as secondary — easier path.
Submit Mental Disorders DBQ (private psychiatrist preferred)
Make sure DBQ documents panic frequency by number, work impacts (missed deadlines, conflict, absenteeism), and family/social impact for the 70% tier.
At 70%+, file Form 21-8940 for TDIU if work is impossible
Difference from 70% to 100% rate ≈ $2,130/mo. Document termination letters, accommodation requests, unemployment claims.
Typical Claim Timeline
File initial claim
Day 0–7: Submit VA Form 21-526EZ with all medical evidence on file
VA acknowledges claim
Week 1–2: Receive confirmation letter and claim tracking number
C&P examination scheduled
Month 1–3: VA contracts an exam vendor and sends you appointment notice
Attend C&P exam
Bring your full evidence package; describe symptoms on your worst days, not your best
Decision & rating notice
Month 3–6: Decision letter with rating percentage and effective date
First payment & retro back pay
Within 15 days of decision; retroactive to claim date (or effective date if earlier)
Timeline varies by case complexity and VA regional office workload. Some claims resolve faster; others take longer.
Important Considerations
Don't pyramid with PTSD or MDD
All § 4.130 conditions share the same formula. Filing GAD separately when you have PTSD usually nets zero AND risks a re-exam that lowers your existing rating. Consult a VSO first.
Examiner default to 30% — push back
GAD is often under-rated because the trauma narrative is missing. The schedule is symptom-based, not story-based. If your impairment matches 50% criteria, file HLR or supplemental.
Secondary to chronic pain is the easy lane
Rated MSK conditions and developing anxiety? File GAD as secondary to chronic pain. Single PCP nexus letter typically wins; bypasses in-service onset.
TDIU at 70% GAD = 100% pay
If anxiety prevents working (agoraphobia, workplace panic, inability to handle stress), TDIU pays the 100% rate. File Form 21-8940 once at 70% schedular.
Related Tools & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GAD rated higher than PTSD?
Same formula, same possible ratings. The rating reflects functional impairment, not the condition's name. Veterans regularly receive 70–100% for GAD when impairment qualifies.
Can I file GAD if I already have PTSD?
Generally no — pyramiding under § 4.14 prevents two § 4.130 ratings for the same functional impairment. Discuss with a VSO; rare cases where ratings coexist exist, but typically you'd consolidate under the most accurate diagnosis.
Do I need an in-service stressor for GAD?
No — unlike PTSD, GAD doesn't require an identifiable trauma. Direct service connection requires in-service onset OR aggravation. Secondary connection to a service-connected physical condition is often the easier path.
What's 'more than once a week' for panic attacks?
The 50% gateway. Vague language like 'occasional panic' defaults to 30%. Track frequency precisely: 'I had 5 panic attacks last week.' Concrete numbers anchor the higher tier.
Can GAD lead to physical secondary claims?
Yes — GERD/IBS (gut-brain axis), hypertension (chronic stress), sleep apnea, ED (SSRI side effect → SMC-K). Each is a separate filing but flows from the GAD diagnosis.
Official Regulatory Source
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is rated under 38 CFR § 4.130, Diagnostic Code 9400, using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
38 CFR § 4.130 — Mental Disorders (eCFR) →Same formula applies to PTSD (9411), MDD (9434), GAD (9400), and other § 4.130 conditions.
⚠️ Verify with a VSO
Per Mauerhan v. Principi, the § 4.130 symptom lists are EXAMPLES, not exhaustive checklists. A higher tier can be granted based on equivalent symptoms not specifically listed. If your rating decision treats the symptom list as a checklist, that's reversible error — file HLR.
Next Steps
If your rating decision lists DC 9400, compare your current symptoms and documentation against the criteria above. Consider:
- Requesting a copy of your rating decision and C&P exam report from the VA
- Gathering all relevant medical records (VA and private providers)
- Documenting functional limitations and how they impact work and daily activities
- Obtaining a nexus letter if needed to establish or strengthen service connection
- Filing for secondary conditions that may be related to this primary condition
- Contacting a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney to review your file
This is general educational information only — not legal or medical advice.
Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.
Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 9400 • va.gov
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information only based on public VA regulations (38 CFR) and va.gov resources. It is not legal, medical, or claims assistance. Ratings and service connections are decided case-by-case by the VA based on the individual veteran’s evidence. We do not prepare claims, generate documents, or provide personalized advice. Always consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or your physician for help with your specific situation. Verify the latest rules on va.gov.