---
title: "DC 9520 - Anorexia nervosa"
diagnostic_code: "9520"
body_system: "Mental Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.130"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/mental-health/9520-anorexia-nervosa"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:52:02.674509Z"
---

# DC 9520 - Anorexia nervosa

Rated under § 4.130. Body system: Mental Disorders.

Rating Formula for Eating Disorders

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks total duration per year, and requiring hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding. |
| 60% | Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of six or more weeks total duration per year. |
| 30% | Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of more than two but less than six weeks total duration per year. |
| 10% | Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder and incapacitating episodes of up to two weeks total duration per year. |
| 0% | Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes. |

## Notes

- Note 1: An incapacitating episode is a period during which bed rest and treatment by a physician are required.
- Note 2: Ratings under diagnostic codes 9201 to 9440 will be evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Ratings under diagnostic codes 9520 and 9521 will be evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Eating Disorders.

# Anorexia Nervosa — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 9520)

Anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition rated by the VA under **§ 4.130**, within the **Mental Disorders** body system. Unlike many other mental health conditions—which use the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders—anorexia nervosa is evaluated using the **Rating Formula for Eating Disorders**.

## Understanding This Condition

The VA recognizes anorexia nervosa under Diagnostic Code **9520**. Its rating is based largely on measurable physical effects of the disorder, including self-induced weight loss relative to a person's expected minimum weight, patterns of behavior such as binge eating and self-induced vomiting, and the frequency and duration of **incapacitating episodes**.

**What counts as an "incapacitating episode"?**
Per the rating notes, an incapacitating episode is a period during which **bed rest and treatment by a physician are required**.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a percentage based on how closely your documented symptoms match the criteria below.

| Rating | What the VA Looks For |
|--------|-----------------------|
| **100%** | Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks total duration per year, and requiring hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding. |
| **60%** | Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of six or more weeks total duration per year. |
| **30%** | Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of more than two but less than six weeks total duration per year. |
| **10%** | Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with a diagnosis of an eating disorder and incapacitating episodes of up to two weeks total duration per year. |
| **0%** | Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with a diagnosis of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes. |

## What the VA Considers When Rating

When evaluating anorexia nervosa under Diagnostic Code 9520, the VA focuses on several factors reflected in the criteria above:

- **Weight relative to expected minimum weight** — specifically whether self-induced weight loss falls below 85 percent or below 80 percent of the expected minimum.
- **Behavioral patterns** — such as binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight.
- **Incapacitating episodes** — the total duration per year of periods requiring bed rest and physician treatment.
- **Hospitalization** — at the highest level, whether hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding is required.
- **Diagnosis** — the presence of a diagnosed eating disorder.

## Important Notes

- **Note 1:** An incapacitating episode is a period during which bed rest and treatment by a physician are required.
- **Note 2:** Ratings under diagnostic codes 9201 to 9440 are evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. Ratings under diagnostic codes **9520 and 9521** are evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Eating Disorders**.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.130