Diagnostic Code 9416 · 38 CFR §4.130
DC 9416 covers dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder). These conditions involve disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. Veterans may develop dissociative disorders as a response to severe trauma experienced during military service, particularly combat trauma or military sexual trauma. Dissociative amnesia involves inability to recall important personal information, usually related to a traumatic event. Dissociative identity disorder involves two or more distinct personality states that alternately influence behavior, accompanied by gaps in memory. The VA rates these under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders at 38 CFR 4.130.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | A formal diagnosis exists but symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational or social functioning. |
| 10% | Mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent inability to perform tasks due to dissociative episodes, memory gaps, depressed mood, anxiety, or chronic sleep impairment. |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, memory disturbances beyond normal forgetfulness, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment, and difficulty maintaining effective relationships. |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. May include suicidal ideation, significant memory gaps affecting daily functioning, near-continuous depression or anxiety, impaired impulse control, neglect of personal appearance, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances. |
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment with gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent danger of hurting self or others, inability to perform activities of daily living, disorientation to time or place, and severe memory loss including inability to recall names of close relatives or own identity. |
A formal diagnosis from a psychiatrist or psychologist specializing in dissociative conditions is critical. Treatment records documenting dissociative episodes — amnesia events, identity switches, or depersonalization — are essential. Neuropsychological testing can help establish the diagnosis and rule out other causes. Buddy statements from family or friends who have witnessed dissociative episodes are particularly valuable because the veteran may not remember them. Records showing the in-service trauma that triggered the condition help establish nexus.
The VA rates all mental health conditions under a single combined evaluation. Having both diagnoses can support a higher overall rating because the combined symptoms typically demonstrate greater functional impairment.
This is common and expected with dissociative disorders. Buddy statements from witnesses, therapist session notes, and emergency room visit records serve as evidence. Keeping a journal between episodes can help document patterns.
Both fall under DC 9416 and use the same rating criteria. The severity of functional impairment determines the rating, not which specific dissociative condition you have.