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Chronic Psychiatric Medication Use is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6299 of 38 CFR § 3.310; Allen v. Principi, 237 F.3d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 2001) across 3 severity tiers (40%+ -- Severe limitation or ankylosis / 20% -- Moderate limitation / 10% -- Mild limitation or painful motion). 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Weight Gain or Diabetes Type II under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
Long-term use of psychotropic medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines) prescribed to treat service-connected mental-health conditions. Documented side effects — sexual dysfunction (most SSRIs/SNRIs), metabolic syndrome and weight gain (atypical antipsychotics), tardive dyskinesia (antipsychotics), decreased bone density (chronic SSRI), and PSSD (post-SSRI sexual dysfunction) — are eligible for secondary service connection under 38 CFR § 3.310 when the underlying mental-health condition is service-connected.
Chronic Psychiatric Medication Use (DC 6299) is evaluated under 38 CFR § 3.310; Allen v. Principi, 237 F.3d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 2001) using the applicable body-system rating framework. Because it is rated by analogy to the general schedule, the 3 levels below describe the body-system criteria the VA applies — the percentage assigned to Chronic Psychiatric Medication Use depends on the specific findings (range of motion, frequency, severity, or functional loss) documented at the C&P exam and in the medical record.
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.