Somatic Symptom Disorder
Somatic symptom disorder involves distressing physical symptoms - often chronic pain - accompanied by excessive thoughts, anxiety, and behaviors centered on those symptoms. VA rates it as a mental disorder 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 based on occupational and social impairment. A special rule applies: when a single condition is diagnosed both as a physical disability and as a mental disorder, VA rates it under whichever aspect is dominant (more disabling) rather than rating both (38 CFR 4.126(d)).
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). Symptoms can include near-continuous anxiety or depression centered on physical health, impaired impulse control, and inability to maintain effective relationships.
Reduced reliability and productivity. Typical symptoms include disturbances of motivation and mood, impaired judgment, and difficulty maintaining work and social relationships.
Occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks, though generally functioning satisfactorily. Typical symptoms include anxiety, depressed mood, 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
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Lumbosacral Strain — Somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain frequently develops in the setting of chronic service-connected pain conditions.
- Degenerative Disc Disease — Chronic spine pain can drive the health-focused anxiety and preoccupation that define somatic symptom disorder.
- Fibromyalgia — Frequently co-occurs with widespread pain syndromes; note that overlapping symptoms cannot be rated twice.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- Get a clear DSM-5 diagnosis from a mental health provider - somatic symptom disorder claims often fail on the diagnosis element because physical workups dominate the record.
- Document the psychological dimension specifically: health-focused anxiety, repeated reassurance-seeking, and time consumed by health concerns, not just the physical symptoms.
- If you have both a rated physical condition and SSD, ensure examiners separate which impairment comes from which; VA rates the dominant aspect when they cover the same disability.
Rating rules to know
Two rules apply. First, only one rating is assigned for all mental disorders under the general formula. Second, when the same disability is diagnosed as both a physical condition and a mental disorder (common with chronic pain), VA rates the dominant aspect only - it will not rate the same pain twice under a musculoskeletal code and 9421 (38 CFR 4.126(d), 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%
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.
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%
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.