Chronic depression (persistent depressive disorder) with long-lasting low mood
Medical records documenting your diagnosis under DSM-5 criteria form the foundation of the evidence. For a 10% rating, records or a provider's notes showing symptoms that appear mainly under stress, or a prescription showing continuous medication use, would be relevant. For 30%, treatment notes or VA exam findings reflecting depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks occurring weekly or less, or chronic sleep impairment help show that level of impact. For 50%, records showing panic attacks more than once a week, memory problems, impaired judgment, or speech disturbances support that rating. For 70%, documentation of suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, inability to maintain relationships, or difficulty adapting to a work setting is relevant. For 100%, records reflecting gross disorientation, persistent hallucinations or delusions, or inability to maintain basic personal hygiene would apply. Your own statements, or statements from family members and coworkers, describing how symptoms affect your daily tasks, attendance, and relationships directly tie to the functional criteria at each 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.
