Binge Eating Disorder is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9521 of 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 across 5 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 60% / 100%). 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.
Binge Eating Disorder is a DSM-5 feeding and eating disorder defined by recurrent episodes of consuming an objectively large amount of food in a discrete period while feeling a loss of control, accompanied by marked distress and at least three features such as eating rapidly, eating until uncomfortably full, eating when not hungry, eating alone out of embarrassment, or feeling disgusted and guilty afterward. Unlike bulimia nervosa, the binges are NOT followed by regular compensatory behaviors such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise, which is why the condition typically drives weight gain and obesity-related complications rather than the weight loss that the rating schedule measures. It is the most common eating disorder and frequently co-occurs with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.130 (Mental disorders). Source verified 2026-06-03 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.