Somatic Symptom Disorder

DC 9422Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9422 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A condition where you have a strong focus on physical symptoms — such as pain or fatigue — that causes major distress and problems functioning. The VA rates this condition using the same criteria as other mental health disorders — based on how it impairs your work and daily life.

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

⚠This diagnosis can feel dismissive — like people think your physical pain is "all in your head." The VA recognizes somatic symptom disorder as a real, ratable mental health condition. Focus on documenting functional impairment.
⚠Not explaining how the excessive worry about your health symptoms affects your daily life — missing work for repeated medical visits, anxiety about symptoms, and avoidance of activities all count.
⚠Failing to separate the mental health rating from any physical condition ratings — if you have a physical condition rated separately, the somatic symptom disorder rating covers the excessive psychological response to those symptoms.
⚠Not documenting the time spent on health-related behaviors — tracking symptoms, researching conditions, seeking reassurance, and attending frequent medical appointments.
⚠Somatic symptom disorder is rated under the same General Rating Formula as PTSD. If you also have depression or anxiety, they may be combined under one rating.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Mental Disorders (other than PTSD and Eating Disorders)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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Somatic Symptom 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

⚠This diagnosis can feel dismissive — like people think your physical pain is "all in your head." The VA recognizes somatic symptom disorder as a real, ratable mental health condition. Focus on documenting functional impairment.

⚠Not explaining how the excessive worry about your health symptoms affects your daily life — missing work for repeated medical visits, anxiety about symptoms, and avoidance of activities all count.

⚠Failing to separate the mental health rating from any physical condition ratings — if you have a physical condition rated separately, the somatic symptom disorder rating covers the excessive psychological response to those symptoms.

⚠Not documenting the time spent on health-related behaviors — tracking symptoms, researching conditions, seeking reassurance, and attending frequent medical appointments.

⚠Somatic symptom disorder is rated under the same General Rating Formula as PTSD. If you also have depression or anxiety, they may be combined under one rating.