Here is the most important thing to know about the Depression DBQ: it uses the exact same rating formula as PTSD. Major depressive disorder (DC 9434), generalized anxiety disorder (DC 9400), and nearly every other mental-health condition are all rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders at 38 CFR § 4.130. Same six tiers, same single “overall level of occupational and social impairment” box, same vocabulary. The diagnosis differs; the rubric does not.
What the examiner is filling out
- Diagnosis — does the veteran meet DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder (or persistent depressive disorder, etc.)?
- Symptom checklist — a checkbox grid of the § 4.130 symptoms (depressed mood, anhedonia, sleep impairment, concentration problems, suicidal ideation, and so on).
- Overall level of occupational and social impairment — the single multiple-choice question with five options pulled near-verbatim from the rating schedule. This box is the rating.
The § 4.130 rubric
A formal diagnosis exists, but symptoms are not severe enough to affect work or social functioning; continuous medication may be present.
Symptoms decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or are controlled by continuous medication.
Depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, weekly-or-less panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss. Generally functioning satisfactorily.
Flattened affect, impaired short- and long-term memory, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, panic more than weekly.
Suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression affecting the ability to function independently, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance/hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, inability to maintain effective relationships.
Gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation, memory loss for names of close relatives or own name.
Depression-specific phrasing that lands the tier
Magic words for this tier
For the 30% tier:
- “My mood is depressed most days; I’ve lost interest in things I used to enjoy.” (anhedonia)
- “My sleep is chronically impaired — I average a few hours.”
- “I have trouble concentrating and I forget recent things.”
Magic words for this tier
For the 50% tier:
- “I have disturbances of motivation and mood — I can’t get started on tasks I used to handle.”
- “I have difficulty maintaining effective work relationships.”
- “My memory is impaired for both recent and older events.”
Magic words for this tier
For the 70% tier (deficiencies in most areas):
- “I have passive suicidal ideation — thoughts I’d be better off gone — without a current plan.” (Be honest; do not exaggerate or hide.)
- “I have near-continuous depression that affects my ability to function independently.”
- “During episodes I neglect hygiene — days without showering.”
- “I can’t maintain effective relationships; it has damaged my marriage and friendships.”
What NOT to say
What NOT to say
- “Some days are good.” → paraphrased as “generally functioning satisfactorily” (30%).
- “The medication has me doing better.” → reads as symptoms controlled by medication (10%).
- “I push through at work.” → minimizes occupational impairment unless you describe the cost.
- “My family’s fine.” → cuts the family-relations deficiency required for 70%.
Describe your worst week, your average week, and the tasks you can no longer do — not your coping strategies.
Depression is often a secondary claim
Depression frequently flows from a service-connected physical condition — chronic pain, a disabling injury, tinnitus, or sleep loss. That makes it a strong secondary service-connection claim under 38 CFR § 3.310, even if the depression itself did not begin in service. If you are filing depression as secondary, the DBQ rates severity the same way; the nexus opinion connects it to the primary condition. See the four paths to service connection for how to plead it.
Bring a witness statement
A spouse or family member can submit a lay statement on VA Form 21-10210describing what they observe — withdrawal, missed work, irritability, neglected hygiene. The rater takes it as competent evidence under § 3.159(a)(2), and it captures behavior you cannot see in yourself. It is the highest-leverage support you can add.
Use this with the rest of the site
- ▸ Depression condition guide — the full rating schedule, evidence checklist, and tactical plays.
- ▸ C&P Exam Prep generator — builds a personalized checklist for your specific conditions.
- ▸ Claim Coach — walks you through the 10 steps including C&P prep at Step 7.
- ▸ Full C&P exam guide — the universal say/don’t-say rules that apply to every exam.
Educational content only. DBQ structures are public knowledge from M21-1 and archived sources; VA discontinued public DBQ distribution in 2020 but the rating criteria these forms map to remain in 38 CFR Part 4. Not legal or medical advice. Always consult a VA-accredited VSO or attorney for claim-specific guidance. CFR citations: 38 CFR § 4.130 (General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, applicable to DC 9434 major depressive disorder), § 4.126 (evaluation of mental disorders), § 3.310 (secondary service connection), § 3.159(a)(2) (competent lay evidence)..