A mental health condition involving intense fear of specific objects, situations, or social interactions.
Medical records documenting your diagnosis under DSM-5 terminology form the foundation of a rating. Records that describe the frequency and severity of your symptoms over time are particularly relevant. For example, notes showing how often panic attacks occur help separate a 30% rating (weekly or less) from a 50% rating (more than once a week).
Treatment records, including medication logs and therapy notes, can reflect whether symptoms require continuous medication, which is relevant at the 10% level. Clinician observations about your speech patterns, judgment, memory, affect, impulse control, or ability to maintain hygiene relate directly to criteria at the 50% and 70% levels.
Statements from you, family members, or coworkers describing how your symptoms affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, manage daily tasks, or care for yourself help show real-world impact. Records of hospitalizations, crisis episodes, or persistent inability to function support the higher rating levels. A VA or private mental health examination that ties observed findings to specific symptoms named in the formula is among the most direct forms of supporting evidence.
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.
