Conditions Reference

Mental Health

Mental health condition from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Stressor verification required (except combat-related, which is presumed if consistent with circumstances of service).

Mental Health

Persistent, excessive worry across multiple domains. Rated identically to PTSD under §4.130.

Mental Health

Intense fear of social situations or specific phobic triggers. Same rating formula as PTSD.

Mental Health

Anxiety symptoms that cause significant distress but don't meet criteria for a specific anxiety diagnosis.

Mental Health

Catch-all anxiety diagnosis. Same rating formula as PTSD.

Mental Health

Persistent depressed mood, loss of interest, and associated symptoms. Common secondary to chronic pain.

Mental Health

Chronic, low-grade depression lasting 2+ years.

Mental Health

Cyclical mood episodes (depression and mania/hypomania).

Mental Health

Psychotic disorders. Same general rating formula as other mental health.

Mental Health

Recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions causing significant impairment.

Mental Health

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks. Often co-occurs with PTSD/anxiety.

Mental Health

Emotional/behavioral symptoms in response to identifiable stressor.

Mental Health

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or related eating disorders.

Mental Health

Difficulty falling/staying asleep. Often filed as secondary to PTSD, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.

Neurological

Recurring debilitating headaches. The word 'prostrating' is key for higher ratings.

Neurological

Rated across 10 facets of cognitive impairment. Highest single facet drives the rating.

Neurological

Chronic demyelinating disease. Minimum 30% if any symptoms. 38 CFR §3.309 chronic disease 1-year presumption applies.

Neurological

Agent Orange presumptive. Minimum 30% rating with any symptoms.

Neurological

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Rated by frequency of major seizures over 6 months.

Neurological

Lower extremity nerve pain from lumbar spine impairment. Each leg rated separately.

Neurological

Anterior thigh nerve impairment. Often secondary to hip or back conditions.

Neurological

Inner forearm/hand nerve. Rated by dominant vs non-dominant hand.

Neurological

Median nerve compression in the wrist. Common from repetitive duty.

Neurological

Posterior arm/wrist drop. Higher ratings for complete loss.

Neurological

Sensory/motor nerve dysfunction in legs/feet. Most common secondary to diabetes. Each side rated separately. Bilateral factor applies.

Neurological

Upper extremity nerve dysfunction. Common secondary to diabetes. Each arm rated separately.

Neurological

Dizziness and balance problems. Often secondary to tinnitus or TBI.

Auditory

Triad of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Higher ratings for frequent attacks.

Neurological

Often rated as a tic disorder by analogy. Common as secondary to medications.

Neurological

Facial nerve weakness. Rated by completeness of paralysis.

Auditory

Subjective ringing/buzzing in the ears. Capped at 10% (both ears combined). Lay statement alone is sufficient — no formal diagnosis required.

Auditory

Rated based on Maryland CNC speech discrimination + puretone audiometric thresholds. Most veterans receive 0-10%.

Auditory

Chronic middle ear infection with discharge. Often secondary to barotrauma or in-service exposure.

Vision

Optic nerve damage causing vision loss. Rated by visual impairment + medication requirements.

Vision

Lens opacification. Rated by visual acuity loss.

Vision

Retinal damage from diabetes. Almost always secondary to service-connected diabetes.

Vision

Chronic dry eyes. Often related to environmental exposure or autoimmune conditions.

Vision

Refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) is NOT compensable — VA considers it a developmental condition, not a disease/injury.

Respiratory

Sinus inflammation 3+ months. PACT Act presumptive for qualifying Gulf War / post-9/11 veterans.

Respiratory

Chronic nasal inflammation. PACT Act presumptive.

Respiratory

Reversible airway obstruction. PACT Act presumptive when diagnosed after qualifying service.

Respiratory

PACT Act presumptive. Rated by PFTs.

Respiratory

PACT Act presumptive. Rated like COPD.

Respiratory

Apneic episodes during sleep. CPAP-required = 50% rating (current rule; proposed changes have not been finalized). Hard to win directly post-service — much easier as secondary.

Respiratory

PACT Act presumptive. Multisystem granulomatous disease.

Respiratory

PACT Act presumptive. Multiple subtypes (pulmonary fibrosis, etc.).

Respiratory

Presumptive for both PACT Act and Agent Orange cohorts. 100% during active treatment.

Respiratory

Often used as primary for sleep apnea secondary claims.

Cardiovascular

High blood pressure. PACT Act added for Vietnam veterans. Common as secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes.

Cardiovascular

Agent Orange presumptive. Includes CAD, angina, MI history.

Cardiovascular

Often secondary to sleep apnea or hypertension.

Cardiovascular

Each leg rated separately. Bilateral factor applies.

Endocrine

Agent Orange presumptive. Triggers cascade of secondaries: neuropathy, ED, retinopathy, kidney disease.

Endocrine

Underactive thyroid. Common in women veterans.

Endocrine

Overactive thyroid. Rated by symptoms during active phase.

Digestive

Acid reflux. Cannot be combined with IBS — pyramiding rule.

Digestive

Functional GI disorder. Cannot be combined with GERD. Gulf War undiagnosed illness presumptive.

Digestive

Often denied without private nexus letter.

Digestive

Stomach ulcer. Rated by severity of symptoms.

Digestive

Digestive

Rated by analogy to ulcerative colitis.

Digestive

Chronic hep C. Risk factors include in-service blood exposure, vaccinations, dental work.

Digestive

Often secondary to hepatitis or alcohol use disorder caused by service-connected PTSD.

Digestive

Gallbladder disease or post-cholecystectomy.

Genitourinary

Almost always rated 0% — but unlocks SMC-K ($139.87/mo for life). Easiest path is secondary to mental health or diabetes.

Genitourinary

Enlarged prostate. Rated under voiding dysfunction criteria.

Genitourinary

Agent Orange presumptive. 100% during active treatment, then rated on residuals.

Genitourinary

PACT Act and Camp Lejeune presumptive.

Genitourinary

Added to PACT Act presumptive list January 2025.

Genitourinary

Often secondary to diabetes or hypertension.

Genitourinary

Voiding dysfunction. Rated by pad/diaper changes per day (see BPH criteria).

Musculoskeletal — Spine

ROM-based. Goniometer required. 10-40% typical.

Musculoskeletal — Spine

Same general formula as low back. Often paired from rucks, helicopter/vehicle vibration.

Musculoskeletal — Spine

Disc herniation/degeneration. Rated either under general spine formula OR by incapacitating episodes — whichever is higher.

Musculoskeletal — Spine

Spine fusion. Higher ratings under general formula.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Shoulder/arm ROM. Dominant vs non-dominant matters.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Frozen shoulder. Significant rating.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Rated under shoulder limitation of motion DC.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Elbow ROM. Dominant vs non-dominant matters. Bilateral factor.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Lateral or medial epicondylitis. Rated by analogy to elbow ROM. Bilateral factor.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Wrist ROM. Bilateral factor.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Various DCs for finger ankylosis, amputation, and limitation.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Most common knee rating. 10% for any painful motion. Bilateral factor.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Can be combined with limitation of flexion under separate DCs (not pyramiding).

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Separately ratable from limitation of motion (not pyramiding).

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

100% for 1 year post-replacement, then re-rated.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

10-20% based on ROM. Bilateral factor.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Hip ROM. Bilateral factor.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

100% for 1 year post-replacement, then re-rated.

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Often denied if noted on entrance physical; aggravation theory works for service-related worsening.

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Heel pain. 10% responsive, up to 40% non-responsive.

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Musculoskeletal — Other

Rated on limitation of motion of affected joint. If non-compensable on LOM, 10% for each major joint group with X-ray evidence.

Musculoskeletal — Other

Gulf War presumptive. Widespread pain.

Musculoskeletal — Other

Gulf War presumptive.

Skin

General rating formula for the skin.

Skin

Skin

Skin

10% per painful or unstable scar (up to 30% for 3+).

Skin

Rated by number of disfiguring characteristics (scarring ≥6 in² of facial surface, color change, surface contour, etc.).

Skin

Rated by size and depth.

Skin

Chronic ingrown beard hairs. Common claim for Black veterans from in-service shaving requirements. Up to 30%.

Skin

Skin

PACT Act presumptive for post-9/11/Gulf War.

Hemic and Lymphatic

Presumptive for both. 100% during active treatment.

Hemic and Lymphatic

Presumptive for both. Added to PACT Act Jan 2025.

Hemic and Lymphatic

Presumptive for both. Added to PACT Act Jan 2025.

Hemic and Lymphatic

Other

10% for any pain on jaw motion or limited lateral excursion.

Other

Tooth loss only compensable if due to bone loss from trauma/disease (not periodontal disease alone).

Mental Health

Cannot be directly service-connected (willful misconduct rule), BUT conditions secondary to alcohol use can be SC if alcoholism is secondary to a SC mental health condition (e.g., PTSD).

Mental Health

Severe psychotic disorder. Same general rating formula.

Mental Health

Features of both schizophrenia and mood disorder.

Mental Health

Physical symptoms with significant psychological distress. Common in chronic-pain veterans.

Mental Health

Disruption in consciousness, identity, or memory.

Mental Health

Recurrent depressive episodes with hypomania.

Mental Health

Includes major neurocognitive disorder (dementia), often secondary to TBI or substance use.

Neurological

Form of dysautonomia. Heart rate jumps >30 bpm on standing without significant BP drop. Rated by analogy under cardiovascular (DC 7010 for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) or §4.124a for autonomic dysfunction.

Neurological

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction not otherwise specified. Includes neurocardiogenic syncope, vasovagal syncope, gastroparesis from autonomic neuropathy. Rated by analogy.

Neurological

Recurrent fainting from autonomic dysfunction.

Neurological

100% for 6 months post-event, then rated on residuals (weakness, speech, cognitive, etc.).

Neurological

Mini-stroke. Generally rated on residuals (often minimal post-event).

Neurological

Persistent symptoms after concussion. Rated under TBI criteria across 10 facets.

Neurological

Headaches following head injury. Often rated by analogy to migraines (DC 8100). Common secondary to TBI.

Neurological

Severe one-sided headaches in clusters. Rated by analogy to migraines.

Neurological

Neurological

Chronic regional pain syndrome, often post-injury. Rated by analogy.

Neurological

Excessive daytime sleepiness with sudden sleep attacks.

Neurological

Lou Gehrig's disease. PRESUMPTIVE for ANY veteran with 90+ days of active service.

Neurological

Involuntary muscle contractions. Rated by analogy.

Neurological

Auditory

Abnormal bone growth in middle ear causing conductive hearing loss.

Auditory

Often from barotrauma. Common in pilots and divers.

Vision

Central vision loss. Rated by visual acuity impairment.

Vision

Inflammation of uveal tract. Often autoimmune. Rated by visual impairment + frequency of attacks.

Vision

Rated by visual acuity loss + field defects.

Vision

Inflammation of optic nerve. Often secondary to MS.

Respiratory

Lung scarring from asbestos. Common in Navy veterans (ships) and certain MOS.

Respiratory

Cancer of mesothelial lining, almost exclusively from asbestos. 100% during active treatment.

Respiratory

High blood pressure in pulmonary arteries. Often secondary to sleep apnea, COPD, or autoimmune.

Respiratory

Permanent dilation of bronchi.

Respiratory

Persistent symptoms 4+ weeks after acute COVID. Rated by analogy to chronic fatigue syndrome or specific organ system criteria. Emerging area — no specific DC yet.

Respiratory

Complete loss of smell. Often from head trauma or COVID.

Respiratory

Complete loss of taste.

Cardiovascular

Reduced blood flow to extremities. Often secondary to diabetes.

Cardiovascular

Blood clot in deep vein. Often from immobility or trauma.

Cardiovascular

Blood clot in pulmonary artery.

Cardiovascular

Disease of heart muscle. Rated like ischemic heart disease by METs.

Cardiovascular

Valvular heart disease. Rated like IHD.

Cardiovascular

Aortic stenosis or regurgitation.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular

Inflammation of pericardium. Rated like IHD.

Cardiovascular

Cold-induced vasospasm of fingers/toes. Often secondary to autoimmune disease.

Endocrine

Insulin-dependent diabetes. Same DC as Type II but typically rated higher (always insulin-dependent).

Endocrine

Excess cortisol. Rare.

Endocrine

Adrenal hormone deficiency.

Endocrine

Excess parathyroid hormone. Rated by manifestations.

Endocrine

Parathyroid deficiency. Rated by manifestations.

Endocrine

Often secondary to PTSD, opioid use for chronic pain, or testicular conditions. Can trigger SMC-K if causing ED.

Endocrine

Includes acromegaly, hypopituitarism, etc.

Digestive

Rated under DC 7327 (diverticulitis), by analogy to ulcerative colitis based on severity.

Digestive

Delayed gastric emptying. Often secondary to diabetes or autoimmune.

Digestive

Autoimmune reaction to gluten. Often diagnosed years after symptoms began.

Digestive

Pre-cancerous esophageal change. Often secondary to GERD.

Digestive

Digestive

Gallstones — rated when symptomatic.

Digestive

Genitourinary

Chronic bladder pain syndrome. Often comorbid with fibromyalgia, IBS, POTS.

Genitourinary

Rated by frequency of infection + need for drainage.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary

PACT Act presumptive for qualifying Gulf War/post-9/11 vets. 100% during active treatment.

Genitourinary

Enlarged scrotal veins. Can affect fertility and cause discomfort.

Genitourinary

Inflammation of prostate. Rated by voiding dysfunction.

Gynecological

Endometrial tissue outside uterus. Very common in women veterans.

Gynecological

Benign uterine tumors. Rated by symptoms.

Gynecological

Hormonal disorder with ovarian cysts. Common in women veterans.

Gynecological

Includes dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia.

Gynecological

PACT Act presumptive.

Gynecological

PACT Act presumptive.

Gynecological

PACT Act presumptive.

Gynecological

Surgical removal of uterus. SMC for loss of creative organ may apply.

Gynecological

Often secondary to mental health conditions and their medications. Female counterpart to ED.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Different from degenerative arthritis.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Inflammatory arthritis with psoriasis. Rated like RA.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting spine.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Often post-infection. Rated by analogy to RA.

Musculoskeletal — Other

Crystal arthropathy. Often affects big toe first.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Tear of cartilage ring around hip joint. Rated by hip ROM.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Tear of shoulder labrum. Rated by shoulder ROM.

Musculoskeletal — Other

Chest wall pain from rib cartilage inflammation.

Musculoskeletal — Spine

Rated under spine general formula.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Hip bursitis. Bilateral factor if both hips.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Fluid-filled cyst near joint. Usually wrist.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Finger locking in flexed position.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Hand contracture from palmar fascia thickening.

Musculoskeletal — Upper Extremity

Thumb-side wrist tendon inflammation.

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Posterior tibial nerve compression at ankle. Foot equivalent of carpal tunnel.

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Common in runners.

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Musculoskeletal — Lower Extremity

Lateral knee/hip pain from IT band irritation.

Musculoskeletal — Foot

Thickened nerve tissue in foot.

Musculoskeletal — Other

Common from PT, ruck marches, basic training.

Skin

Skin

Patchy hair loss.

Skin

Skin

Skin

Most common skin cancer. Rated by location/excision residuals.

Skin

Second most common skin cancer.

Skin

Hemic and Lymphatic

Hemic and Lymphatic

Added to PACT Act January 2025.

Hemic and Lymphatic

Added to PACT Act January 2025.

Hemic and Lymphatic

Low platelets.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Autoimmune multisystem disease.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Autoimmune dry eyes/mouth + systemic features.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Autoimmune / Systemic

Inflammation of blood vessels. Many subtypes.

Autoimmune / Systemic

Features of multiple autoimmune diseases.

Cancer (other)

PACT Act presumptive (GI cancer of any type).

Cancer (other)

PACT Act presumptive.

Cancer (other)

PACT Act presumptive.

Cancer (other)

PACT Act presumptive.

Cancer (other)

Camp Lejeune + PACT Act presumptive.

Cancer (other)

PACT Act presumptive.

Cancer (other)

PACT Act presumptive. Includes glioblastoma multiforme.

Cancer (other)

Added to PACT Act 2024.

Cancer (other)

Added to PACT Act 2024.