Unspecified Neurocognitive Disorder

DC 9326Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9326 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A condition involving significant cognitive decline — such as problems with memory, attention, language, or executive function — that does not fit neatly into a specific dementia or TBI diagnosis. Many veterans receive this diagnosis when cognitive symptoms are clearly present but the exact underlying cause is uncertain. The VA rates it using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders based on how it affects your occupational and social functioning.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 9326

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.130, DC 9326 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

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 pushing for a thorough diagnostic workup — an "unspecified" diagnosis can sometimes be refined into a more specific condition (such as TBI-related dementia or vascular cognitive impairment) that may be easier to service-connect. Ask your provider to document why a more specific diagnosis cannot be made.
⚠Failing to document cognitive decline over time — keep records of neuropsychological testing done at different points to show that your cognitive function is worsening, which supports a higher rating and demonstrates the ongoing nature of the condition.
⚠Not connecting the condition to service — document what in-service events may have caused or contributed to your cognitive decline, such as blast exposure, head injuries, toxic chemical exposure (burn pits, Agent Orange), or chronic sleep deprivation during deployments.
⚠Not reporting the full range of daily functional limitations — describe specific examples of how cognitive problems affect your work (missing deadlines, inability to learn new tasks), social life (withdrawing from friends, difficulty following conversations), and self-care (forgetting to take medication, difficulty managing finances).
⚠Being rated too low because symptoms overlap with other conditions — if you also have PTSD, depression, or TBI, make sure your provider clearly distinguishes which symptoms are attributable to the neurocognitive disorder versus other conditions, as the VA cannot "pyramid" (double-count) the same symptoms.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Mental Disorders

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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

Unspecified Neurocognitive Disorder

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 9326

Rating range

0% – 100%

Rating levels

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 pushing for a thorough diagnostic workup — an "unspecified" diagnosis can sometimes be refined into a more specific condition (such as TBI-related dementia or vascular cognitive impairment) that may be easier to service-connect. Ask your provider to document why a more specific diagnosis cannot be made.

⚠Failing to document cognitive decline over time — keep records of neuropsychological testing done at different points to show that your cognitive function is worsening, which supports a higher rating and demonstrates the ongoing nature of the condition.

⚠Not connecting the condition to service — document what in-service events may have caused or contributed to your cognitive decline, such as blast exposure, head injuries, toxic chemical exposure (burn pits, Agent Orange), or chronic sleep deprivation during deployments.

⚠Not reporting the full range of daily functional limitations — describe specific examples of how cognitive problems affect your work (missing deadlines, inability to learn new tasks), social life (withdrawing from friends, difficulty following conversations), and self-care (forgetting to take medication, difficulty managing finances).

⚠Being rated too low because symptoms overlap with other conditions — if you also have PTSD, depression, or TBI, make sure your provider clearly distinguishes which symptoms are attributable to the neurocognitive disorder versus other conditions, as the VA cannot "pyramid" (double-count) the same symptoms.