What are the VA rating percentages for Specific Phobia?

Specific Phobia (DC 9403) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403. Diagnosed specific phobia but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

What rates 0% for Specific Phobia under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 (DC 9403), a 0% rating for Specific Phobia requires: Diagnosed specific phobia but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

What happens during a C&P exam for Specific Phobia?

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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Specific Phobia

Q: What rates 10% for Specific Phobia under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 (DC 9403), a 10% rating for Specific Phobia requires: Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress.

Q: What rates 30% for Specific Phobia under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 (DC 9403), a 30% rating for Specific Phobia requires: Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to phobic avoidance behaviors affecting daily activities.

Q: What rates 50% for Specific Phobia under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 (DC 9403), a 50% rating for Specific Phobia requires: Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to extensive phobic avoidance, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

Q: What rates 70% for Specific Phobia under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 (DC 9403), a 70% rating for Specific Phobia requires: Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to pervasive phobic avoidance severely limiting daily functioning.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Specific Phobia VA claim?

Key evidence for a Specific Phobia 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 9403 | 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 | 

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

Specific Phobia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9403 of 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9403 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

Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals, blood, needles) that is out of proportion to the actual danger and causes significant distress or impairment.

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

Diagnosed specific phobia but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning.

10%

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

30%

Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to phobic avoidance behaviors affecting daily activities.

50%

Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to extensive phobic avoidance, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

70%

Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to pervasive phobic avoidance severely limiting daily functioning.

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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