Adjustment Disorder

DC 9440Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9440 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A mental health condition where you have a harder time than expected coping with a stressful life event or change. The VA rates adjustment disorder using the same criteria as PTSD — based on how much it affects your daily life and ability to work.

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Adjustment disorder is sometimes considered less severe than PTSD or depression, but the VA uses the same rating formula. Make sure you document all symptoms fully.
⚠Not explaining the triggering stressor and how your reaction goes beyond what would be expected — this is key to the diagnosis.
⚠Failing to report ongoing symptoms — adjustment disorder can become chronic. If symptoms persist, request re-evaluation or a diagnostic update.
⚠Not connecting adjustment disorder to service — clearly document the military stressor (deployment, injury, transition) that triggered the condition.
⚠Being rated together with another mental health condition under one code (pyramiding). If you believe adjustment disorder symptoms are distinct, document them separately.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Mental Disorders (other than PTSD and Eating Disorders)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Adjustment Disorder

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Adjustment disorder is sometimes considered less severe than PTSD or depression, but the VA uses the same rating formula. Make sure you document all symptoms fully.

⚠Not explaining the triggering stressor and how your reaction goes beyond what would be expected — this is key to the diagnosis.

⚠Failing to report ongoing symptoms — adjustment disorder can become chronic. If symptoms persist, request re-evaluation or a diagnostic update.

⚠Not connecting adjustment disorder to service — clearly document the military stressor (deployment, injury, transition) that triggered the condition.

⚠Being rated together with another mental health condition under one code (pyramiding). If you believe adjustment disorder symptoms are distinct, document them separately.