When many veterans return home from overseas, they are left with scars — and not all of them are visible. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has seen an increase in disability claims for anxiety and PTSD, with many veterans also struggling with depression. Veterans who battle depression in their day-to-day lives want to know — how does the VA rate depression? We may be able to help answer your questions and help you win your VA disability case at VA Benefits Attorneys.

What Is the VA Disability Rating for Depression?

Recent data has shown that an estimated 23% of active-duty military members struggle with depression or depression-like symptoms and an estimated 20% of veterans combat depression in their day-to-day lives. Veteran suicide is a plague on the veteran community with an estimated 22 veterans taking their lives each day and depression, anxiety, and PTSD are key contributors to this number. In fact — the suicide rate among veterans is 57.3% higher than the average among U.S. adults.

Many veterans who battle depression struggle to transition to civilian life and cannot maintain employment — which is where VA disability compensation can help. Veterans who have been diagnosed with service-connected depression may be eligible for a disability rating of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% that will vary based on symptoms.

Guide to VA Disability Ratings for Depression 

• 0% Disability Rating — Your depression has been diagnosed, but does not interfere or impact your day-to-day life and can be managed without continuous medication.
• 10% Disability Rating — Your depression has mild symptoms that may negatively impact your ability to socialize and work, and symptoms can be controlled with medication.
• 30% Disability Rating — Your depression impairs your ability to socialize with friends or family and prevents you from accomplishing some tasks at work. Symptoms may include anxiety, insomnia, and frequent depressed moods. 
• 50% Disability Rating — Your depression is more frequent and severe with symptoms like impaired memory, suicidal thoughts, impaired judgement, panic attacks, and an inability to be productive at work or at home.
• 70% Disability Rating — Your depression results in severe occupational and social impairment that affects family, friend, and work relationships. The symptoms that necessitate a 70% rating include almost continuous panic or depression, poor impulse control, poor personal hygiene, an inability to maintain relationships, suicidal thoughts, and more.
• 100% Disability Rating — Your depression has led to complete social and occupational impairment with symptoms that include gross impairment, consistent delusions, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, an inability to accomplish daily tasks, memory loss, and regular thoughts of suicide and self harm.  

READ MORE: How Does the VA Handle Mental Health Ratings?

Are you a veteran that battles depression in your day-to-day life? You may want to know — how does the VA rate depression? We may be able to help answer your questions at VA Benefits Attorneys. Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for a FREE case review!