Panic Disorder and/or Agoraphobia
Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent fear of future attacks; agoraphobia is avoidance of places where escape feels difficult. VA rates both under one diagnostic code based on occupational and social impairment.
How the VA rates it
Rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR 4.130): 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100 percent. Panic attack frequency appears explicitly in the criteria - attacks weekly or less often support the 30 percent level, while attacks more than once a week support 50 percent - but the overall rating still turns on total occupational and social impairment.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 100%Total occupational and social impairment, with symptoms such as gross impairment in thought or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, persistent danger of hurting self or others, or inability to perform activities of daily living.
Impairment with deficiencies in most areas (work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood). At this level panic may be near-continuous, affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively.
Reduced reliability and productivity. The hallmark at this level is panic attacks more than once a week, along with symptoms like disturbances of motivation and mood and difficulty maintaining relationships.
Occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks. Typical symptoms include panic attacks weekly or less often, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss.
Mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication.
A formal diagnosis exists, but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication.
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Tinnitus — Severe tinnitus can trigger or aggravate panic symptoms and anticipatory anxiety.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- Keep a dated log of panic attacks - frequency is written directly into the 30 and 50 percent criteria, so contemporaneous records matter more here than for most mental health conditions.
- ER or urgent care visits for panic attacks (often initially worked up as cardiac events) are strong objective evidence; gather those records.
- Document avoidance behavior - places, driving, crowds, or duties you can no longer manage - to establish the agoraphobia and social-impairment picture.
Rating rules to know
One rating covers all mental health conditions under the general formula. Panic disorder diagnosed alongside GAD or PTSD is folded into a single psychiatric evaluation (38 CFR 4.14).
Related diagnostic codes
More mental health conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a trauma-related condition marked by re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal after an in-service traumatic event. VA rates it on how much it impairs your ability to work and maintain relationships, not on the severity of the trauma itself.
Rated up to 100%
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder involves persistent low mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep, energy, and concentration. VA rates it on the degree of occupational and social impairment, and it is one of the most common conditions claimed secondary to chronic pain.
Rated up to 100%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive worry that is hard to control, with physical symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, and sleep problems. VA rates it on how much it impairs work and social functioning.
Rated up to 100%
Chronic Adjustment Disorder
Chronic adjustment disorder is an ongoing emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressor - often a service-connected disability, injury, or major life change - with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both. VA rates it the same way as every other mental disorder: by occupational and social impairment.
Rated up to 100%
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes cycling episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. VA rates it under the general mental disorders formula based on occupational and social impairment across the full cycle of the illness, not just during episodes.
Rated up to 100%
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that consume time and interfere with functioning. VA rates it on occupational and social impairment under the general mental disorders formula.
Rated up to 100%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.