What are the VA rating percentages for Prolonged Grief Disorder?

Prolonged Grief Disorder (DC 9440) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440. Diagnosed prolonged grief disorder but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

What rates 0% for Prolonged Grief Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 (DC 9440), a 0% rating for Prolonged Grief Disorder requires: Diagnosed prolonged grief disorder but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

What rates 10% for Prolonged Grief Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 (DC 9440), a 10% rating for Prolonged Grief Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient grief symptoms controlled by counseling or medication.

What happens during a C&P exam for Prolonged Grief 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.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Prolonged Grief Disorder

Q: What rates 30% for Prolonged Grief Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 (DC 9440), a 30% rating for Prolonged Grief Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to persistent yearning, preoccupation with the deceased, and emotional pain.

Q: What rates 50% for Prolonged Grief Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 (DC 9440), a 50% rating for Prolonged Grief Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to debilitating grief preventing engagement in daily activities and relationships.

Q: What rates 70% for Prolonged Grief Disorder under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 (DC 9440), a 70% rating for Prolonged Grief Disorder requires: Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to severe prolonged grief causing inability to function, suicidal ideation, or self-neglect.

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

Key evidence for a Prolonged Grief 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 9440 | 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 | 

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

Prolonged Grief Disorder is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9440 of 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 across 5 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 70%). 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

Intense grief response persisting well beyond expected social, cultural, or religious norms following the death of someone close. Characterized by persistent yearning/longing, preoccupation with the deceased, and significant functional impairment lasting at least 12 months in adults.

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

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

10%

Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient grief symptoms controlled by counseling or medication.

30%

Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to persistent yearning, preoccupation with the deceased, and emotional pain.

50%

Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to debilitating grief preventing engagement in daily activities and relationships.

70%

Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to severe prolonged grief causing inability to function, suicidal ideation, or self-neglect.

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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