You were discharged months or even years ago, but something doesn’t feel right. You aren’t as excited by your hobbies as you once were, and you feel disconnected from friends and family. Oftentimes your mood and energy levels feel so low you can hardly get through the day like normal. Perhaps your self-esteem feels lower than ever. These experiences can feel alienating, but you are not alone. Many veterans deal with mental health issues after their service.
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If you have dysthymic disorder that ties back to something that happened in service or another service-connected condition, you may be owed monthly disability compensation from the VA. We explain what dysthymic disorder is, the dysthymia VA rating, and how to handle a dysthymia C&P exam.
In this article about the dysthymic disorder VA rating:
What is dysthymic disorder?
Dysthymia, also known as persistent depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder, is a form of depression. It typically is less severe but longer lasting than major depressive disorder, though veterans with dysthymia may also experience periods of major depression. As with other forms of depression, dysthymia can cause a person to lose interest in hobbies, daily activities, and relationships. They may feel hopeless, like things will never improve or their life is meaningless.
Generally, mental health conditions are common among veterans. Combat, military sexual trauma (MST), accidents in or out of training, the loss of battle buddies, and the jarring transition back to civilian life can all be factors in veterans developing a mental health condition. More than 1 in 10 veterans are believed to deal with depression, though a much higher number may experience symptoms of depression.
Dysthymic disorder VA rating
Veterans with service-connected persistent depressive disorder are eligible to receive a dysthymic disorder VA rating. Dysthymic disorder rates using the same criteria as major depressive disorder. However, because dysthymic disorder is typically less severe, it may not receive a higher rating.
Dysthymic disorder rates using the following criteria from the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders:
Description | Rating | Monthly payment (Veteran only) |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 100% | $3,737.85 |
| 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. | 70% | $1,716.28 |
| 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. | 50% | $1,075.16 |
| 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). | 30% | $524.31 |
| 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. | 10% | $171.23 |
| 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. | 0% | None |
C&P exam for dysthymic disorder
Veterans will need to file a VA claim and submit evidence of their conditions to be eligible for a dysthymic disorder VA rating. Veterans will also typically be asked to attend a C&P exam, where the severity of their mental and physical conditions can be assessed and service-connected.
C&P exams can be difficult when they are for a mental health condition. It can be uncomfortable to fully open up about your symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day life, but it’s important to be completely honest.
“[C&P exams] that we probably hear the most concern about from our clients are those regarding mental health examinations,” explained VA disability lawyer Zack Evans. “It’s just because of the personal depth that these exams can dig into, but it’s very important that you attend.”
He added, “You must be open, you must be completely honest and unrestricted in your responses. If an examiner tries to hurry you through your responses, tries to cut you off whenever you’re explaining something, politely tell them that you’re not finished and explain to them that you’d like to be given the opportunity to finish your response. This is your exam.”
It may also be helpful to take someone with you for support or to plan something relaxing after your exam.
Dysthymia and related conditions
The exact cause of dysthymic disorder is not known. However, there is likely a range of environmental, mental, and biological factors that may play a role. 75% of people with dysthymic disorder also have another chronic illness or mental health condition. This makes veterans prime candidates for developing dysthymia – on average, veterans are receiving VA disability for about six conditions each.
Some conditions that have been linked to dysthymia include:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Substance use disorder
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Other chronic health issues
One study also found that having multiple coexisting health conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes may increase a veteran’s risk of dysthymia.
TDIU for dysthymic disorder
In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for their mental health conditions. TDIU is also known as individual unemployability or simply IU. Veterans are eligible for these benefits if they can’t hold down “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.
Veterans with dysthymia may not experience the same severity of symptoms as those with major depressive disorder – by definition, dysthymic disorder is typically longer lasting but less severe. However, the condition may still interfere with your ability to make it to work each day, stay motivated and on task, and work well with others.
Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
“Woods and Woods’ experience will give you the best chance to get what you deserve.”
T.K.
How Woods and Woods can help
The VA-accredited attorneys at Woods and Woods have helped thousands of veterans nationwide get the disability benefits they deserve. Call us today for a free case evaluation. You won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dysthymia does not have its own diagnostic code. However, veterans with service-connected dysthymic disorder can receive a rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
Veterans with service-connected dysthymia may be eligible to receive TDIU benefits if their condition prevents them from keeping “substantially gainful” employment. TDIU provides benefits at the same level as a 100% rating, despite the condition receiving a lower evaluation.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
