VA Disability Rating for Somatic Symptom Disorder
Rated 0–100% under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
Somatic symptom disorder (DC 9422) is a mental-health rating for veterans whose physical symptoms cause persistent psychological distress regardless of whether the underlying medical cause is fully explained. Same § 4.130 rating formula as PTSD and depression.
Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | — | Diagnosed; no occupational/social impairment. |
| 30% | $552.47 | Occasional decrease in work efficiency. |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | Reduced reliability and productivity. |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | Deficiencies in most areas. |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | Total occupational and social impairment. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% 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 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 somatic symptom disorder
- C&P exam with a psychiatrist — focus on the psychological distress associated with the physical symptoms, not the symptoms themselves.
- Treatment history showing repeated medical workups, anxiety about health, time spent on health concerns.
Common secondary conditions
- +Depression
- +Anxiety
- +Sleep disturbance
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Often secondary to a service-connected physical condition — file as secondary if applicable.
- Gulf War Illness undiagnosed-illness frameworks can stack with somatic symptom disorder claims.
Frequently asked
Is somatic symptom disorder the same as Gulf War Illness?
No. Gulf War Illness (38 CFR § 3.317) is a presumptive framework for unexplained physical symptoms in SW Asia veterans. Somatic symptom disorder is a mental-health diagnosis about how a vet experiences physical symptoms. They can co-exist but are rated separately.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
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.