The VA rates anxiety based on how much it affects your life. The rating can be 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
To get the highest rating, you must provide evidence of extreme symptoms like persistent nightmares, hallucinations, or a lazy outlook. A medical nexus statement will also be necessary.
Complete Your C&P Exam Correctly
Your C&P exam is the meeting with a medical professional that the VA uses to determine if your anxiety disorder is service-connected. Many veterans fear this exam and worry that they will fail it. But veterans should not fear this exam in the traditional sense – the purpose of it is to gather information and establish whether or not your condition is service-connected.
During your C&P exam, there are several things you can do to maximize your chances of obtaining a favorable rating. First, ensure you have submitted all your evidence before your C&P exam. This allows the examiner to review and assess the information before your exam. Bringing your proof to the exam and leaving copies with the examiner is also good. This can help highlight areas of weakness in the examiner’s assessment or demonstrate that your examiner failed to consider certain evidence.
Keep Track of Your Symptoms
Keeping track of your symptoms is an important part of managing anxiety. When tracking, it is important to take notes of your mood and the specific symptoms you are experiencing daily, such as panic attacks or feelings of depression or sadness. Keeping track of these details may help you see patterns and discover the triggers that make your anxiety worse. You can track your symptoms using a pen and paper, existing templates on the computer, an online journal, or even download an app for recording your symptoms in the moment.
The more detailed your symptoms are, the higher your VA rating for anxiety will be. This rating determines your monthly compensation and any additional services or support the VA may provide. A high rating also increases the likelihood of receiving TDIU, which offers financial and mental health care to help you live as comfortably as possible. This includes counseling, a monthly stipend and access to virtual therapy appointments.
Complete the DBQ for Other Mental Health Conditions
Symptoms of anxiety can impact many areas of your life, including work, relationships, and thoughts. You must receive the highest possible rating for your condition to get financial and support benefits.
You must provide evidence of severity in each area to receive a high rating. Most of them are used to gather medical evidence from your healthcare provider and determine your VA disability rating for anxiety. It is completed by either a private provider or the C&P examiner during your exam.
If you have a severe anxiety disorder, you can potentially qualify for schedular total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits. This is if your symptoms cause you to be unfit for any work. To receive this rating, you will need to prove that your service-connected anxiety disorder alone prevents you from seeking or maintaining substantially gainful employment. You can also receive a higher rating if your anxiety disorder is paired with other mental health conditions, such as OCD or panic disorder.
Take Medication as Per Doctor’s Orders
Veterans with a diagnosed anxiety disorder can qualify for disability benefits. The VA determines your disability rating based on how much your symptoms affect daily life and how well you function. The severity of your symptoms is important for getting a higher rating.
Mild cases that are well controlled by medication may not be rated or will receive a low number on the rating scale. Severe cases that cause constant occupational and social impairment are often rated higher.
The VA has updated its rating criteria to take into account the latest medical understanding of mental health issues like anxiety. The ratings are based on your symptoms, severity, and frequency. In addition, the VA will consider how your anxiety impacts your daily life and work efficiency. The rating system ranges from 0% to 100%, depending on the severity and impact of your symptoms.
