A mental health condition involving neurological symptoms such as weakness or sensory changes without an identifiable medical cause.
Medical records documenting your diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria are the starting point. To support a higher rating, records that describe the specific symptoms listed at each level carry the most weight. For a 30% rating, records showing depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks occurring weekly or less often, or chronic sleep impairment are relevant. For 50%, documentation of panic attacks more than once a week, memory problems, impaired judgment, or difficulty maintaining work and social relationships helps show that level of impact. For 70%, records reflecting near-continuous panic or depression, suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, or an inability to maintain effective relationships are significant. For 100%, evidence of gross impairment in thought or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, or disorientation to time or place is relevant.
Your own statements, and statements from people who know you, describing how symptoms affect your ability to work, keep up with daily tasks, and maintain relationships can help show the real-world impact of your condition at any level.
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.
