A brain disorder caused by a medical condition or substance use that may affect memory, thinking, and daily functioning.
Because this condition is rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, your evidence needs to show how your symptoms affect your ability to work and manage daily life. Medical records documenting a formal diagnosis of a major or mild neurocognitive disorder, and the underlying medical condition or substance involved, form the foundation of the rating.
For higher ratings, records showing the severity and frequency of specific symptoms matter most. Neuropsychological testing or cognitive assessments can document memory loss, impaired abstract thinking, or disorientation. Treatment notes that describe the pattern of symptoms over time — such as how often panic attacks occur, whether speech is disorganized, or whether personal hygiene has declined — support ratings at the 50% and 70% levels. Notes from treating providers describing persistent delusions, hallucinations, or danger to self or others are relevant to the 100% level.
Statements from you and from people who know you — family members, coworkers, or caregivers — can describe how symptoms affect work performance, relationships, and daily tasks. Records showing continuous medication use are relevant to the 10% level, where controlled symptoms are a defining criterion.
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.
