Major depressive disorder (DC 9434) | VA Rating Tool
| Diagnostic Code | 9434 |
|---|---|
| Category | Mental Disorders |
| Subcategory | Mental Disorders |
| Also Known As | depression, Major depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, mdd, major depression, depressive disorder, sad, hopeless, suicidal thoughts, clinical depression, feeling depressed, anger issues, irritability, mood swings |
| CFR Section | 4.125-4.130 |
📊 What Veterans Actually Get
Depression is most commonly rated at 50% (occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability). About 35% receive 50%, and 30% receive 70%. Depression claims have a 75% approval rate.
Next Steps for This Condition
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. |
| 70% | Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. |
| 50% | Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events). |
| 10% | Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. |
| 0% | A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication. |
Conditions Secondary to This
7 linksDepression and antidepressant medications both cause ED
Depression and migraines share serotonin pathways — strongly linked
Depression causes persistent fatigue beyond normal tiredness
Depression medications and stress worsen acid reflux
Depression activates stress hormones that elevate blood pressure
Depression disrupts gut-brain axis function
Depression-related weight gain and inactivity increase sleep apnea risk
This May Be Secondary To
81 linksALS causes depression through progressive loss of motor function, communication ability, and independence.
Aplastic anemia causes depression through fatigue, transfusion dependence, infection risk, and treatment burden.
Heart disease and depression are strongly bidirectionally linked
Chronic incontinence from bladder injury causes depression through social isolation, embarrassment, and reduced quality of life.
Mastectomy and breast surgery commonly cause depression due to body image changes, grief, and PTSD from cancer treatment.
Disfigurement and chronic pain from burn scars cause depression
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease cause depression through chronic pain, dietary restrictions, social isolation, and flare-up unpredictability.
Crohn's disease causes depression through chronic pain, fatigue, surgical interventions, and social isolation from unpredictable flares.
Long-term pain and reduced function are strongly associated with depression.
Chronic joint pain and reduced mobility commonly lead to depression
Chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis commonly causes depression due to persistent pain, fertility concerns, and reduced quality of life.
ED causes significant psychological distress and relationship problems
Sexual dysfunction commonly causes depression due to relationship strain, self-esteem issues, and reduced quality of life.
Significant visual field loss causes depression and anxiety through driving inability, employment limitations, and loss of independence.
Anxiety and depression are highly comorbid conditions
HIV causes depression through diagnosis stigma, medication burden, health anxiety, and direct viral effects on the brain.
Hepatitis C causes depression both directly (viral neuropsychiatric effects) and through treatment side effects, stigma, and chronic illness burden.
Lymphoma diagnosis and chemotherapy/radiation cause depression through treatment burden, fatigue, and survivorship concerns.
Hypothyroidism directly causes depression through thyroid hormone deficiency affecting brain neurotransmitter function.
Persistent pain, flare-ups, and activity limitations are strongly associated with depression.
Chronic GI distress and dietary restrictions lead to depression
Cancer diagnosis and treatment cause severe depression through treatment burden, prognosis fears, fatigue, and life disruption.
Chronic pain is one of the strongest predictors of depression.
Lupus causes depression through chronic pain, fatigue, unpredictable flares, and the inflammatory process directly affecting the brain.
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment frequently cause severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Unpredictable vertigo attacks severely impact quality of life
Chronic migraines are strongly associated with depression.
Multiple myeloma causes depression through chronic pain, treatment burden, and prognosis concerns.
MS causes depression through both neurological demyelination affecting brain circuits and the chronic disability burden.
Narcolepsy causes depression through social embarrassment, employment difficulties, and disrupted daily functioning.
Chronic incontinence and voiding dysfunction from neurogenic bladder cause depression due to social isolation, embarrassment, and quality of life impact.
NHL diagnosis and treatment cause depression through chronic illness burden, treatment side effects, and prognosis uncertainty.
OCD commonly co-occurs with and causes depression through the exhausting cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Panic disorder frequently leads to depression through avoidance behaviors, social isolation, and loss of functioning.
Persistent dizziness and balance problems cause depression through activity restrictions, employment impact, and social isolation.
Chronic pain from injury-related arthritis causes depression
PTSD frequently causes or worsens major depressive disorder through chronic stress and trauma responses.
Psoriasis has a strong, well-documented link to depression through visible skin involvement, social stigma, chronic pain, and the inflammatory process itself affecting brain chemistry.
Loss of rectal sphincter control causes severe depression through social embarrassment, isolation, and loss of dignity.
TBI directly affects brain chemistry and mood regulation.
Chronic radiating pain severely impacts quality of life
Facial paralysis causes depression through disfigurement, social embarrassment, difficulty eating/speaking, and eye complications.
Sickle cell disease causes depression through chronic pain crises, hospitalization burden, and reduced life expectancy.
Chronic sleep deprivation from untreated sleep apnea frequently leads to depression.
Constant ringing disrupts daily life, sleep, and concentration, leading to depression.
Complete hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy causes abrupt surgical menopause, commonly triggering severe depression and mood disorders.
Hysterectomy frequently triggers depression due to hormonal changes, grief over fertility loss, and body image concerns.
Chronic ankle pain and mobility limitations
Chronic shoulder pain and activity limitations lead to depression
Chronic respiratory limitations and activity restrictions lead to depression
Chronic joint pain limits activities and causes depression
Vision impairment from cataracts causes depression through activity limitations, driving restrictions, and loss of independence.
Celiac disease causes depression through nutritional deficiencies, social isolation from dietary restrictions, and neurological effects of gluten exposure.
Liver cirrhosis causes depression through fatigue, dietary restrictions, lifestyle limitations, and prognosis concerns.
Pelvic organ prolapse causes depression due to chronic discomfort, embarrassment, activity limitations, and impact on intimacy.
Visible skin conditions cause social stigma and depression
Progressive vision loss from diabetic retinopathy causes depression through fear of blindness and loss of independence.
Chronic GERD causes depression through sleep disruption, dietary restrictions, and reduced quality of life.
Hearing loss causes depression through social isolation, communication difficulties, and withdrawal from activities.
Chronic pain and embarrassment
Chronic GI distress and dietary limitations commonly contribute to depression.
Chronic anemia causes depression through persistent fatigue, cognitive impairment, and reduced quality of life.
Loss of mobility and chronic pain contribute to depression.
Chronic pain and reduced function contribute to depression.
Reduced mobility and long-term pain commonly contribute to depression.
Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome causes depression through chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and persistent symptoms.
Chronic hand pain and loss of function affect quality of life
Myasthenia gravis causes depression through progressive weakness, activity limitations, and chronic illness burden.
Chronic kidney disease significantly impacts quality of life
Progressive vision loss from glaucoma causes depression through fear of blindness, activity restrictions, and loss of independence.
Chronic pancreatitis causes depression through persistent severe pain, dietary restrictions, and alcohol dependence history.
Chronic peptic ulcer disease causes depression through persistent pain, dietary restrictions, and medication side effects.
Chronic foot pain limiting mobility leads to depression
Prostate conditions cause depression through sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and cancer anxiety.
CKD causes depression through dietary restrictions, dialysis burden, fatigue, and reduced life expectancy concerns.
Painful and disfiguring scars cause depression through chronic pain, body image distress, and social withdrawal.
Chronic sinus pain and fatigue contribute to depression
Reduced mobility and chronic pain cause depression
Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.