Veterans with depression or anxiety caused or worsened by military service may qualify for VA disability compensation. The monthly payment depends on your rating percentage, which the VA assigns based on how severely your symptoms affect your ability to work and function in daily life. This guide covers the 2026 rating criteria for both conditions, current monthly payment amounts, and the steps to file a claim.
How VA Rates Depression and Anxiety
The VA rates depression and anxiety under the same framework: the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR Part 4). Both conditions fall under diagnostic code 9434 (major depressive disorder) or 9400 (generalized anxiety disorder), but the rating percentages and criteria are identical for both.
The possible rating levels are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. There is no 20%, 40%, 60%, or 80% rating available for mental health conditions under this formula.
Rating Criteria by Percentage
0% Rating
You have a diagnosis on record but your symptoms do not interfere with work or social functioning, and the condition does not require medication. You receive no monthly payment but may still qualify for VA health care.
10% Rating
Mild or temporary symptoms that decrease work efficiency and cause social problems only during significant stress. Outside of stressful periods, you generally function normally.
30% Rating
Occupational and social impairment with an occasional decrease in work efficiency and periodic inability to complete occupational tasks. You generally function satisfactorily. Symptoms at this level include:
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Chronic sleep impairment
- Mild memory loss
- Panic attacks weekly or less often
50% Rating
Reduced reliability and productivity. Symptoms are obvious and repeated. The VA looks for:
- Flattened affect
- Panic attacks more than once a week
- Impaired judgment
- Difficulty maintaining work and social relationships
- Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene
70% Rating
Deficiencies in most areas of life including work, family relations, judgment, and thinking. Symptoms at this level include:
- Suicidal ideation
- Near-continuous depression or panic affecting independent functioning
- Obsessional rituals interfering with daily activities
- Impaired impulse control
- Inability to establish and maintain relationships
100% Rating
Total occupational and social impairment. Symptoms include persistent delusions, gross impairment in communication, persistent danger of harming self or others, or disorientation to time and place.
2026 Monthly Payment Amounts
VA disability compensation rates increased by 2.8% effective December 1, 2025, reflecting the Social Security Administration's 2026 COLA adjustment. The amounts below are for veterans with no dependents.
| Rating | Monthly Payment (No Dependents) |
|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Veterans rated at 30% or higher receive additional monthly compensation for dependents including a spouse, children, or dependent parents. The exact amount depends on the combination of dependents. For example, a veteran rated at 70% with a spouse and one child receives approximately $2,059.49 per month in 2026.
Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
If your depression or anxiety prevents you from holding substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). TDIU pays at the 100% rate even if your rating is lower.
To qualify, you generally need:
- One service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher, or
- Two or more service-connected conditions with a combined rating of 70% or higher, where at least one is rated 40%
TDIU pays approximately $3,938.58 per month for a single veteran with no dependents, the same as a 100% rating.
Eligibility Requirements
To receive VA disability compensation for depression or anxiety, you must meet three conditions:
1. Current Diagnosis
You need an active diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. The VA will not compensate for symptoms alone without a formal diagnosis.
2. Service Connection
Your condition must be connected to your military service. There are three main pathways:
- Direct service connection: Your condition developed during active duty. This includes experiencing traumatic events, combat exposure, military sexual trauma (MST), or other in-service stressors.
- Secondary service connection: Your depression or anxiety developed as a result of another service-connected physical or mental condition. For example, chronic pain from a service-connected back injury leading to depression.
- Aggravation: You had a pre-existing condition that worsened beyond its natural progression because of military service.
3. Nexus (Link Between Service and Condition)
You must provide evidence connecting your service to your current condition. A nexus letter from a licensed medical professional is one of the most effective ways to establish this connection.
Upcoming 2026 Rating Changes
The VA has proposed a new evaluation framework for mental health conditions that would replace the current General Rating Formula. The proposed system rates veterans across five functional domains:
- Thinking and understanding (memory, concentration, decision-making)
- Getting along with others (social and work interactions)
- Completing tasks (work, education, daily responsibilities)
- Moving around (transportation, leaving home independently)
- Taking care of yourself (hygiene, grooming, nutrition)
Under the proposed changes, any diagnosed, service-connected mental health condition would receive a minimum 10% rating. As of mid-2026, these changes are still in the proposal stage and have not been finalized. Claims filed now are evaluated under the current General Rating Formula.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: File an Intent to File
Before submitting your full claim, file VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File). This protects your effective date for up to one year while you gather evidence. Your back pay, if approved, calculates from this date, which can mean thousands of dollars.
File online at va.gov, by calling 1-800-827-1000, or by visiting your nearest VA regional office.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Strong claims include:
- Service records documenting in-service events (incident reports, deployment records, medical records from service)
- A current diagnosis from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health provider
- A nexus letter from a medical professional explaining how your service caused or worsened your condition
- Personal statements describing how symptoms affect your daily life and work
- Buddy statements from family members, coworkers, or fellow service members who have witnessed your symptoms
Step 3: Submit VA Form 21-526EZ
The primary disability compensation application is VA Form 21-526EZ. You can submit it:
- Online through VA.gov (fastest)
- By mail to your VA regional office
- In person at a VA regional office
- Through a VA-accredited claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO)
VSOs provide free claims assistance. Organizations like the DAV, VFW, American Legion, and others can help you build a stronger claim at no cost.
Step 4: Attend Your C&P Exam
After filing, the VA will typically schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. For mental health conditions, this is a clinical interview with a VA psychologist or psychiatrist who will assess your symptoms and their impact on your functioning.
Key guidance for the C&P exam:
- Describe your worst days, not your best days
- Give concrete examples of how symptoms affect work, relationships, and daily tasks
- Do not minimize or understate your condition
- Mental health C&P exams are available via telehealth in 2026
Step 5: Review Your Rating Decision
The VA will mail you a rating decision explaining your assigned percentage and the evidence used. Processing times for mental health claims average 6 to 8 months from the date of filing in 2026, though timelines vary by regional office.
If you disagree with the decision, you have three appeal options:
- Supplemental Claim (submit new and relevant evidence)
- Higher-Level Review (senior VA reviewer re-examines your file)
- Board of Veterans' Appeals (appeal to a Veterans Law Judge)
What the C&P Examiner Is Looking For
The examiner uses the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for mental disorders. They assess specific symptoms and behaviors that correspond to rating levels. Being specific and thorough matters more than being brief.
Factors that support a higher rating include:
- Frequency and duration of symptoms (daily vs. occasional)
- Impact on employment (missed days, terminations, inability to work)
- Social withdrawal and relationship problems
- Hospitalizations or crisis episodes
- Medication side effects that affect functioning
- Sleep disturbance and its downstream effects
Combined Ratings for Multiple Mental Health Conditions
Veterans sometimes have both depression and anxiety diagnosed separately. The VA generally will not assign separate ratings for both conditions if they involve the same underlying group of symptoms, because that would result in "pyramiding" (rating the same disability twice). In most cases, the VA assigns one rating that covers all mental health symptoms together.
However, if you have PTSD as a separate diagnosis with distinct symptoms, the VA may rate PTSD separately from a general anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder.
VA Health Care for Mental Health
In addition to monthly compensation, service-connected mental health conditions qualify you for VA mental health care at no cost. Services include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Medication management
- Crisis counseling (Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1)
- Residential treatment programs
- Telehealth mental health appointments
Even veterans with a 0% rating may access VA mental health care if the condition is service-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common VA rating for depression and anxiety?
Most veterans with service-connected depression or anxiety receive ratings between 30% and 70%. The 70% rating is common among veterans whose symptoms significantly affect their ability to maintain employment and relationships. The 50% rating is also frequently assigned when symptoms are clear and recurring but not fully debilitating.
Can I get a VA rating for both depression and anxiety?
Generally the VA assigns one combined rating for overlapping mental health symptoms rather than separate ratings. If your depression and anxiety share the same symptom pool, expect a single rating. If you also have PTSD with distinct symptoms, that may be rated separately.
Does VA disability pay count as income for other benefits?
VA disability compensation is generally not counted as income for most federal programs. It does not count toward income for Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI eligibility in most states. Confirm with the specific program you are applying to, as state rules vary.
How long does a VA mental health claim take in 2026?
Initial claims for depression or anxiety average 6 to 8 months from filing to a rating decision. Claims with complete evidence and a clear nexus letter tend to process faster. Filing the Intent to File first and submitting a thorough claim package upfront reduces back-and-forth with the VA.
Can I work while receiving VA disability for depression or anxiety?
Yes. VA disability compensation has no work restrictions for most ratings. You can earn any amount without affecting your compensation. The exception is TDIU, which limits substantially gainful employment (generally defined as earning above the federal poverty threshold). If you return to work at substantial earnings while on TDIU, you may need to report that income to the VA.
What if my condition gets worse after I receive my rating?
You can file for an increase at any time if your service-connected condition worsens. Submit a supplemental claim with updated medical evidence documenting the progression of your symptoms. The VA will re-evaluate your current level of impairment.
Do I need a lawyer to file a VA disability claim?
No. Many veterans file successful claims without legal representation, especially with help from a free VSO. Attorneys and accredited claims agents cannot charge fees until after a decision is made on your claim, and then only a portion of past-due benefits. For straightforward claims with clear service records and a current diagnosis, a VSO is often sufficient. For denied claims or complex service-connection issues, an accredited attorney or claims agent may add value.
Use the Benefits Navigator screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check eligibility for other federal and state programs alongside your VA benefits. Many veterans qualify for additional assistance through SNAP, Medicaid, or other programs depending on household income and state of residence.
