What are the VA rating percentages for Cyclothymic Disorder?

Cyclothymic Disorder (DC 9432) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432. Diagnosed cyclothymic disorder but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

What rates 0% for Cyclothymic Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432 (DC 9432), a 0% rating for Cyclothymic Disorder requires: Diagnosed cyclothymic disorder but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

What happens during a C&P exam for Cyclothymic Disorder?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Cyclothymic Disorder

Q: What rates 10% for Cyclothymic Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432 (DC 9432), a 10% rating for Cyclothymic Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient mood fluctuations which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress.

Q: What rates 30% for Cyclothymic Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432 (DC 9432), a 30% rating for Cyclothymic Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to chronic mood cycling affecting concentration and motivation.

Q: What rates 50% for Cyclothymic Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432 (DC 9432), a 50% rating for Cyclothymic Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to persistent mood instability affecting work performance and relationships.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Cyclothymic Disorder VA claim?

Key evidence for a Cyclothymic Disorder claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 9432 | 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.130 (Mental disorders) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Cyclothymic Disorder is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9432 of 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9432 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 50%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

OVERVIEW

Chronic fluctuating mood disturbance involving numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a full manic or major depressive episode, lasting at least two years.

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

Diagnosed cyclothymic disorder but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

10%

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient mood fluctuations which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress.

30%

Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to chronic mood cycling affecting concentration and motivation.

50%

Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to persistent mood instability affecting work performance and relationships.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.130 (Mental disorders). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.130 on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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