A brain disorder caused by HIV or other infections that may affect memory, thinking, and daily functioning.
Medical records that document your diagnosis and describe the specific symptoms you experience are the foundation of a claim at any level. For higher ratings — 70% or 100% — records showing persistent delusions, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, episodes of violence, or an inability to care for yourself would directly reflect those criteria. Neuropsychological or cognitive testing that shows memory loss, impaired abstract thinking, or disorientation ties directly to the 50% and higher levels.
For a 30% rating, records or clinician notes showing depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic sleep problems are relevant. At the 10% level, documentation that symptoms appear mainly under stress or that you require continuous medication to keep symptoms in check supports that rating. Statements from you, family members, or coworkers describing how your symptoms affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, handle daily tasks, or manage personal hygiene give VA a picture of real-world functioning that medical records alone may not capture. These statements are most useful when they connect specific symptoms to specific problems in daily life or work.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
