Guide by NexusVetClaims, an independent education and claim-prep site. Confirm the current rating criteria and payment amounts with these primary sources:
Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are rated under 38 CFR § 4.130. Like all mental health conditions, the rating reflects functional impairment. Anxiety is frequently secondary to PTSD, chronic pain, or tinnitus.
Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | — | Diagnosed, no functional impairment. |
| 10% | $180.42 | Mild symptoms during stress. |
| 30% | $552.47 | Occasional decrease in work efficiency; panic attacks less than weekly. |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | Reduced reliability; panic attacks more than weekly; impaired relationships. |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | Deficiencies in most areas; near-continuous panic or depression. |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | Total impairment; gross impairment in thought processes. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.8% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 10%: $180.42/mo · $2,165/year, tax-free
- →At 30%: $552.47/mo · $6,630/year, tax-free
- →At 50%: $1,132.90/mo · $13,595/year, tax-free
- →At 70%: $1,808.45/mo · $21,701/year, tax-free
- →At 100%: $3,938.58/mo · $47,263/year, tax-free
How to get rated for anxiety disorder (generalized)
- Current diagnosis (GAD, panic disorder, or both).
- Link to service — onset in service, or secondary to another service-connected condition.
- C&P exam describing frequency and severity of panic attacks.
Common secondary conditions
- +GERD
- +Hypertension
- +Sleep apnea
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Anxiety secondary to chronic tinnitus is a well-documented and commonly granted secondary claim.
What the letter has to say
A nexus letter is the medical opinion tying your anxiety disorder (generalized) to your service. It is the piece most claims turn on, and the piece most often written in wording the VA throws out. Our free guide walks through what the letter has to establish.
See what anxiety disorder (generalized) nexus letters must say →Frequently asked
What counts as a panic attack for rating purposes?
VA considers a panic attack to be an abrupt surge of intense fear with physical symptoms (heart pounding, sweating, dizziness, fear of losing control). Frequency — less than weekly vs more than weekly — is what distinguishes 30% from 50%.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.