A brain disorder of unspecified cause that may affect memory, thinking, judgment, and daily functioning.
Medical records that document a formal diagnosis of unspecified neurocognitive disorder are the starting point. From there, the evidence needs to show how your symptoms affect your functioning at each level.
For higher ratings, records showing persistent delusions, hallucinations, disorientation, severe memory loss, suicidal ideation, or inability to maintain personal hygiene directly match the 100 and 70 percent criteria. Psychiatric evaluation notes, hospitalization records, and crisis intervention records can reflect this level of impairment. For the 50 percent level, records showing panic attacks occurring more than once a week, clinician observations of flattened affect or disordered speech, and neuropsychological testing that documents impaired memory, judgment, or abstract thinking are relevant.
For 30 percent, records showing depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, or mild memory loss support that level. Statements from you, family members, or coworkers describing how symptoms affect your ability to complete work tasks, maintain relationships, or handle stress can help show the occupational and social impact at any level. For 10 percent, records showing that continuous medication is needed to control symptoms, or that symptoms worsen under significant stress, correspond to that 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.
