Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

DC 9404Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9404 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A condition that causes unwanted, repeated thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors you feel driven to perform (compulsions). The VA rates OCD using the same criteria as other mental health conditions — based on how much it impairs your work and social functioning.

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not describing specific obsessions and compulsions in detail — vague statements are not enough. Explain exactly what thoughts intrude and what rituals you perform.
⚠Not documenting how much time obsessions and compulsions consume each day — if rituals take hours, this directly supports higher ratings (70% criteria mentions "obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities").
⚠Being embarrassed about symptoms and underreporting at your C&P exam — OCD symptoms like checking, counting, washing, or intrusive thoughts are medical conditions, not personal failings.
⚠Failing to describe how OCD affects your work — being late due to rituals, inability to concentrate due to intrusive thoughts, or avoiding work situations that trigger obsessions.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — OCD commonly co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and skin conditions (from excessive washing).

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Mental Disorders (other than PTSD and Eating Disorders)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not describing specific obsessions and compulsions in detail — vague statements are not enough. Explain exactly what thoughts intrude and what rituals you perform.

⚠Not documenting how much time obsessions and compulsions consume each day — if rituals take hours, this directly supports higher ratings (70% criteria mentions "obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities").

⚠Being embarrassed about symptoms and underreporting at your C&P exam — OCD symptoms like checking, counting, washing, or intrusive thoughts are medical conditions, not personal failings.

⚠Failing to describe how OCD affects your work — being late due to rituals, inability to concentrate due to intrusive thoughts, or avoiding work situations that trigger obsessions.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — OCD commonly co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and skin conditions (from excessive washing).