Dissociative Identity Disorder

DC 9416Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9416 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A condition where a person has two or more distinct personality states, often resulting from severe trauma. It causes gaps in memory and significant problems with daily functioning. VA rates using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

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

⚠Documenting dissociative episodes and their frequency is critical — describe how often you "lose time," switch between personality states, or experience memory gaps.
⚠Not explaining how memory gaps affect daily life — missed appointments, inability to remember conversations, and lost hours or days directly show functional impairment.
⚠If your condition is connected to in-service trauma (especially military sexual trauma), make sure the stressor is clearly documented and linked to your diagnosis.
⚠Requesting an examiner who understands dissociative conditions — general mental health examiners may not be familiar with this diagnosis, leading to inaccurate assessments.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — dissociative identity disorder commonly co-occurs with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and self-harm behaviors.

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…

Dissociative Identity 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

⚠Documenting dissociative episodes and their frequency is critical — describe how often you "lose time," switch between personality states, or experience memory gaps.

⚠Not explaining how memory gaps affect daily life — missed appointments, inability to remember conversations, and lost hours or days directly show functional impairment.

⚠If your condition is connected to in-service trauma (especially military sexual trauma), make sure the stressor is clearly documented and linked to your diagnosis.

⚠Requesting an examiner who understands dissociative conditions — general mental health examiners may not be familiar with this diagnosis, leading to inaccurate assessments.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — dissociative identity disorder commonly co-occurs with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and self-harm behaviors.