Unspecified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder

DC 9413Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9413 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A diagnosis given when trauma-related symptoms are present but do not fully meet criteria for PTSD or another specific trauma disorder. The VA rates this condition using the same General Rating Formula as PTSD.

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

⚠Document your specific trauma symptoms thoroughly, even if they do not fit neatly into PTSD criteria — nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, and mood changes all count toward your rating.
⚠If your symptoms evolve over time into a more specific diagnosis (like PTSD), request a re-evaluation — a more specific diagnosis may better capture your impairment.
⚠Be aware of the pyramiding rule — the VA cannot rate you separately for this condition and another mental health condition. Make sure the one rating you receive reflects your worst symptoms.
⚠Not documenting functional impact on work and relationships — the rating formula is the same as PTSD, so focus on how your symptoms reduce your reliability and productivity.
⚠Not connecting the in-service trauma to your current symptoms with a clear nexus — buddy statements, service records, and treatment records help establish this link.

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…

Unspecified Trauma and Stressor-Related 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

⚠Document your specific trauma symptoms thoroughly, even if they do not fit neatly into PTSD criteria — nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, and mood changes all count toward your rating.

⚠If your symptoms evolve over time into a more specific diagnosis (like PTSD), request a re-evaluation — a more specific diagnosis may better capture your impairment.

⚠Be aware of the pyramiding rule — the VA cannot rate you separately for this condition and another mental health condition. Make sure the one rating you receive reflects your worst symptoms.

⚠Not documenting functional impact on work and relationships — the rating formula is the same as PTSD, so focus on how your symptoms reduce your reliability and productivity.

⚠Not connecting the in-service trauma to your current symptoms with a clear nexus — buddy statements, service records, and treatment records help establish this link.