Social Anxiety Disorder

DC 9403Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9403 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A mental health condition where social situations cause intense fear, anxiety, or avoidance. The VA rates social anxiety disorder using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders, based on how much it affects your work and relationships.

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 distinguishing social anxiety from generalized anxiety disorder — if you have both, document the distinct triggers and impacts of each.
⚠Not reporting avoidance behaviors — turning down promotions, avoiding meetings, isolating from friends and family.
⚠Minimizing symptoms at the C&P exam because you "push through" — describe the effort and distress it takes.
⚠Not connecting social anxiety to military experiences such as MST, combat, or bullying/hazing.

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…

Social Anxiety Disorder

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 distinguishing social anxiety from generalized anxiety disorder — if you have both, document the distinct triggers and impacts of each.

⚠Not reporting avoidance behaviors — turning down promotions, avoiding meetings, isolating from friends and family.

⚠Minimizing symptoms at the C&P exam because you "push through" — describe the effort and distress it takes.

⚠Not connecting social anxiety to military experiences such as MST, combat, or bullying/hazing.