Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
Panic attacks aren’t “just in your head.”
For many veterans, panic disorder shuts down work, relationships, and even simple tasks like driving or shopping.
The good news is that the VA recognizes panic disorder as a ratable mental health condition under Diagnostic Code 9412. But to win a panic disorder VA rating, you’ll need clear medical evidence, a current diagnosis, and proof that your condition is connected to your service.
In this guide, we’ll break down how the VA rates panic disorder, what symptoms qualify for each level, and what steps to take if your claim is denied.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- The VA rating for panic disorder depends on the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms, as well as how these symptoms negatively impact your occupational and social impairment.
- The VA rates panic disorder from 0% to 100% under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- You can appeal a denial by filing a supplemental claim, requesting a higher-level review, or appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Panic Disorder in Veterans
Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly or in predictable situations. Your heart races, breathing becomes shallow, and fear takes over.
For veterans, these episodes often go beyond momentary stress, disrupting daily life, relationships, and careers.
According to a 2023 study, about 6% to 8% of veterans have been diagnosed with panic disorder.
The VA recognizes panic attacks as a symptom of mental health conditions like panic disorder, which may qualify you for a panic disorder VA disability rating if your condition is service-connected.
Panic Disorder vs. Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear, while panic disorder is a diagnosed mental health condition marked by recurring, unexpected panic attacks.
Symptoms vary, but common signs include:
- Rapid heart rate or chest pain
- Trouble breathing or tightness in the throat
- Sweating or chills
- Nausea or dizziness
- Feeling detached from reality
Triggers can include crowded spaces, driving, or even waking from sleep, but sometimes there’s no trigger at all.
Can You Get VA Disability for Panic Disorder?
Yes. You can receive VA disability benefits for panic disorder if you have solid medical evidence, a current diagnosis, and can show it’s connected to your military service.
This connection could be from a specific event during service, the cumulative stress of deployments, or as a secondary condition linked to another service-connected disability.
-
Pro Tip: Keep a detailed log of your panic attacks, including dates, triggers, symptoms, and how they impact your day. This kind of real-world evidence may make a huge difference in your claim.
How the VA Rates Panic Disorder
The VA rates panic disorder under the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders (Diagnostic Code 9412), assigning 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% based on the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms, as well as how these symptoms negatively impact your occupational and social impairment.
| General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders | VA Rating |
| Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. | 100% |
| Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. | 70% |
| Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. | 50% |
| Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events). | 30% |
| Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. | 10% |
| A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication. | 0% |
Breaking Down the Panic Disorder VA Rating Criteria
We know VA jargon can be confusing, so here’s a straightforward look at how the VA rates panic disorder.
- 100%: Severe symptoms that make work, daily life, and safety a significant problem.
- 70%: Symptoms cause major trouble with work, family, and mood.
- 50%: Frequent panic attacks and memory or judgment problems reduce productivity.
- 30%: Panic attacks happen weekly or less, with mild anxiety and sleep issues.
- 10%: Mild symptoms only affect work during stressful times and improve with medication.
- 0%: Diagnosed, but symptoms don’t interfere with daily life or work.
Related Post: VA Mental Health Rating Chart Explained
Proving Service Connection
To receive a VA panic disorder rating, you must prove the following:
- A current medical diagnosis
- An in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness
- A medical nexus (link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness.
-
Pro Tip: When filing, describe when your panic attacks started, how often they occur, and how they affect your ability to work or function socially.
Filing a VA Claim for Panic Disorder
Ready to file your VA claim? Excellent!
To qualify for a panic disorder VA rating, you must file a VA claim using VA Form 21-526EZ.
You can file a VA claim:
- By mail
- Via fax
- In person at a VA regional office
Related Post: How to File a VA Claim Online
C&P Exam for Mental Health Disorders
If you file a VA claim for a mental health condition, the VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam.
A VA mental health C&P exam assesses your diagnosis, determines if it’s service-related, and measures symptom severity.
The examiner reviews your VA file and medical history, then assesses whether your condition has worsened and how it affects work and daily life. The results allow the VA to decide your rating or service connection.
-
Insider Insight: We know it’s not easy, but being open about how your panic disorder affects daily life helps the examiner fully understand your condition.
Related Post: Mental Health C&P Exam Questions
Denied VA Claim?
If the VA denies your claim, review your decision letter to see if it cites missing evidence, no current diagnosis, or lack of service connection. This can help you decide which appeal process is the best choice.
You can appeal by doing one of the following:
- Filing a supplemental claim
- Requesting a higher-level review
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Remember, a denial is just a setback, not the end. You have options to challenge an unfavorable decision and move your claim forward.
Related Post: How to Appeal a VA Disability Claim Denial
Final Thoughts
Panic disorder can be life-changing, but it doesn’t have to stop you from getting the VA benefits you rightfully deserve.
The key is clear documentation, strong medical evidence, proof of service-connection, and an understanding of how the VA rates mental health conditions. If your claim was denied, don’t give up; you still have appeal options.
Want Expert-Level Support for Your VA Disability Claim? WE GOT YOUR SIX!
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
- Work directly with a VA claims coach who can educate you to VA claim victory.
- 25,000+ disabled veterans have served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1-rated Elite program.
- 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 5,500+ total reviews; over 4,500 5-star reviews.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
What is the panic disorder VA rating?
The panic disorder VA rating is assigned under Diagnostic Code 9412 in the VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Ratings range from 0% to 100%, depending on the frequency, severity, and duration of panic attacks and how much they interfere with work and social functioning.
What is the panic attacks VA rating?
The VA does not give a separate rating just for panic attacks. Instead, panic attacks are evaluated as part of a panic disorder VA rating under Diagnostic Code 9412, with percentages ranging from 0% to 100% based on how often attacks occur and how severely they affect daily life, work, and relationships.
How often do panic attacks need to happen for a VA rating?
If you have panic attacks more than once a week, you may qualify for a 50%–100% VA rating for panic disorder, depending on how their frequency, severity, and duration affect your work and social life. Panic attacks occurring once a week or less typically fall under a 0%–30% rating, reflecting a moderate or less frequent impact.
Is panic disorder the same as PTSD?
No, panic disorder and PTSD are different conditions. Panic disorder involves sudden, repeated panic attacks, while PTSD is linked to experiencing or witnessing traumatic events and includes symptoms like flashbacks and avoidance.
Is panic disorder the same as generalized anxiety disorder?
No. Panic disorder involves sudden panic attacks, while generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is ongoing, excessive worry. However, general anxiety disorder VA ratings are calculated using the same scale.
Can I get TDIU for panic disorder?
Yes, you may receive Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for panic disorder if it prevents you from maintaining and securing substantially gainful employment and if you meet the specific requirements.
What are the general anxiety disorder VA ratings?
General anxiety disorder VA ratings range from 0% to 100% based on how frequently and severely symptoms impact your ability to work, maintain relationships, and manage daily activities, using the VA’s General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. See also: Anxiety VA Ratings Guide
Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
