Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

DC 9434Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9434 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A mood disorder causing persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. The VA rates depression using the same criteria as PTSD — based on how much it impairs your work and social functioning.

Proposed Mental Health Rating Overhaul

The VA has proposed replacing the current General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders with a 5-domain model. Key changes: elimination of the 0% rating level, objective domain-based assessments (self-care, social, occupational, cognitive, and behavioral), and new rating levels at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. This is a proposed rule and has not taken effect.

View proposed rule →

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

⚠Not distinguishing depression symptoms from PTSD symptoms — if both are service-connected, they are typically rated together under the same General Rating Formula, not separately (pyramiding rule).
⚠Failing to document how depression affects daily activities, work attendance, and relationships.
⚠Not reporting medication side effects (weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction) which may support secondary claims.
⚠Underreporting severity at C&P exams by putting on a "brave face."

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Review Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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…

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

⚠Not distinguishing depression symptoms from PTSD symptoms — if both are service-connected, they are typically rated together under the same General Rating Formula, not separately (pyramiding rule).

⚠Failing to document how depression affects daily activities, work attendance, and relationships.

⚠Not reporting medication side effects (weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction) which may support secondary claims.

⚠Underreporting severity at C&P exams by putting on a "brave face."