Mental Health

Under 38 CFR § 4.130 (Schedule of Ratings – Mental Disorders), a mental condition is considered a disability when:

It is a diagnosed mental health disorder from the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), AND
It causes functional impairment in daily life, work, or relationships, and there is a nexus (connection) between the condition and military service.

The VA combines many diagnosis in Mental Health. PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Alcohol/Drug Abuse, MST, bi-polar are just a few diagnosis names included in Mental Health. You get 1 rating for any/all diagnosis.

Please proceed to the quiz questions.

Step 1

Review the Key Factors:

  • Diagnosed, but symptoms don’t interfere with functioning.
  • Mild symptoms, occasional work or social interference.
  • Occasional decrease in work efficiency, intermittent symptoms.
  • Reduced reliability and productivity, difficulty with relationships, panic attacks, memory issues.
  • Deficiencies in most areas—work, school, judgment, mood, thinking.
  • Total occupational and social impairment, delusions, danger to self or others, disorientation.

The VA combines multiple diagnoses within Mental Health. Here is a partial list:

  • PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Panic Disorder
  • OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
  • Adjustment Disorder
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Step 2

Continue with the quiz for mental health. This is a 3 step quiz.
When completed, you will view the results of your quiz.

Mental Health Quiz

Step 1 of 3: Mood & Thought-Related Symptoms

About This Quiz

The VA uses the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Mental Disorders to assess mental health conditions. The VA rates mental health under 38 CFR § 4.130.

Important: The VA avoids "pyramiding" – you receive one combined rating for all mental health diagnoses, not separate ratings for each condition.

Additional Information

Section A: Mood & Thought-Related Symptoms

Instructions: Rate each symptom based on severity or frequency:

0 = None | 1 = Mild/Occasional | 2 = Moderate/Frequent | 3 = Severe/Constant

1.
Depressed mood
2.
Anxiety
3.
Suspiciousness or paranoia
4.
Panic attacks (weekly or more)
5.
Chronic sleep impairment
6.
Memory loss (short-term or long-term)
7.
Impaired abstract thinking
8.
Flattened affect (reduced emotional response)
9.
Obsessional rituals that interfere with routine
10.
Impaired judgment
11.
Disturbances of motivation and mood