Reference
VA Rating CriteriaThe criteria VA uses to assign a percentage for 32 commonly claimed conditions, grouped by body system and condensed from 38 CFR Part 4. For veterans, and for the providers who document these conditions.
This page covers 32 commonly claimed conditions, condensed from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is not every condition in the schedule. Each entry links to the regulation itself, which controls if anything here differs, and VA amends the schedule from time to time. Last checked October 2026. Educational information only, not legal or claims advice.
All of these use the same General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The symptoms listed are examples (“such as”), not a checklist.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. |
| 70% | Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. |
| 50% | Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. |
| 30% | Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events). |
| 10% | Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. |
| 0% | A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.130 on eCFR · Cornell LII
The 50% level asks whether the condition requires a breathing assistance device such as CPAP, not simply whether a device was issued.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy. |
| 50% | Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine. |
| 30% | Persistent day-time hypersomnolence. |
| 0% | Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.97 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Any one of:
|
| 60% | Any one of:
|
| 30% | Any one of:
|
| 10% | Any one of:
|
Source: 38 CFR §4.97 on eCFR · Cornell LII
Both codes use the same criteria (condensed here).
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Any one of:
|
| 60% | Any one of:
|
| 30% | Any one of:
|
| 10% | Any one of:
|
Source: 38 CFR §4.97 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 50% | Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. |
| 30% | Any one of:
|
| 10% | Any one of:
|
| 0% | Detected by X-ray only. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.97 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 30% | With polyps. |
| 10% | Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides, or complete obstruction on one side. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.97 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 10% | Recurrent tinnitus. Only a single evaluation is assigned, whether the sound is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.87 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| By formula | Hearing loss is rated from audiometric test results rather than from described symptoms. The pure-tone and speech-discrimination test scores are applied to the tables in 38 CFR §4.85, and §4.86 covers exceptional patterns of hearing impairment. See the regulation for the tables. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.85 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 30% | Dizziness and occasional staggering. |
| 10% | Occasional dizziness. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.87 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus. |
| 60% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus. |
| 30% | Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.87 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 50% | With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. |
| 30% | With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months. |
| 10% | With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months. |
| 0% | With less frequent attacks. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.124a on eCFR · Cornell LII
TBI residuals are evaluated on ten separate facets. The highest level reached on any one facet sets the overall rating, and any facet at “Total” means 100%. Each facet has its own written criteria in the regulation.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| Total on any facet | 100% |
| Highest facet = Level 3 | 70% |
| Highest facet = Level 2 | 40% |
| Highest facet = Level 1 | 10% |
| Highest facet = Level 0 | 0% |
Source: 38 CFR §4.124a on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 80% | Complete paralysis: the foot dangles and drops, with no active movement possible of muscles below the knee (see the regulation for the full description). |
| 60% | Incomplete paralysis, severe, with marked muscular atrophy. |
| 40% | Incomplete paralysis, moderately severe. |
| 20% | Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 10% | Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.124a on eCFR · Cornell LII
Rated higher for the dominant (major) hand than for the non-dominant (minor) hand.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 70% major / 60% minor | Complete paralysis of the median nerve. |
| 50% major / 40% minor | Incomplete paralysis, severe. |
| 30% major / 20% minor | Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 10% major / 10% minor | Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.124a on eCFR · Cornell LII
For widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 40% | Symptoms that are constant, or nearly so, and refractory to therapy. |
| 20% | Symptoms that are episodic, with exacerbations often precipitated by environmental or emotional stress or by overexertion, but that are present more than one-third of the time. |
| 10% | Symptoms that require continuous medication for control. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. Thoracolumbar (mid and lower back) and cervical (neck) segments are measured separately.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. |
| 50% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. |
| 40% | Any one of:
|
| 30% | Any one of:
|
| 20% | Any one of:
|
| 10% | Any one of:
|
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
Disc syndrome is rated under either the spine formula above or this incapacitating-episodes formula, whichever gives the higher rating.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 60% | Incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months. |
| 40% | Incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months. |
| 20% | Incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months. |
| 10% | Incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 1 week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 30% | Flexion limited to 15 degrees. |
| 20% | Flexion limited to 30 degrees. |
| 10% | Flexion limited to 45 degrees. |
| 0% | Flexion limited to 60 degrees. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 50% | Extension limited to 45 degrees. |
| 40% | Extension limited to 30 degrees. |
| 30% | Extension limited to 20 degrees. |
| 20% | Extension limited to 15 degrees. |
| 10% | Extension limited to 10 degrees. |
| 0% | Extension limited to 5 degrees. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
Rewritten effective February 7, 2021. The ratings depend on the type of injury and on what a medical provider prescribes for walking.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 30% | Ligament: unrepaired or failed repair of a complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes both an assistive device (for example, cane, crutch, walker) and bracing for ambulation. |
| 20% | Any one of:
|
| 10% | Any one of:
|
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
Percentages are shown for the dominant (major) arm and the non-dominant (minor) arm.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 40% major / 30% minor | Motion limited to 25 degrees from side. |
| 30% major / 20% minor | Motion limited to midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45 degrees). |
| 20% major / 20% minor | Motion limited to shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90 degrees). |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 20% | Marked (less than 5 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 10 degrees plantar flexion). |
| 10% | Moderate (less than 15 degrees dorsiflexion or less than 30 degrees plantar flexion). |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
Higher percentages apply when both feet are affected.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 50% both feet / 30% one foot | Pronounced; marked pronation, extreme tenderness of plantar surfaces of the feet, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the tendo achillis on manipulation, not improved by orthopedic shoes or appliances. |
| 30% both feet / 20% one foot | Severe; objective evidence of marked deformity (pronation, abduction, etc.), pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities. |
| 10% (one or both feet) | Moderate; weight-bearing line over or medial to great toe, inward bowing of the tendo achillis, pain on manipulation and use of the feet. |
| 0% | Mild; symptoms relieved by built-up shoe or arch support. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
Rated on limitation of motion of the affected joint when that is compensable. These levels apply when it is not.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 20% | With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. |
| 10% | With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.71a on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 60% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more. |
| 40% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more. |
| 20% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. |
| 10% | Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.104 on eCFR · Cornell LII
Under the digestive schedule published March 20, 2024 (89 FR 19743), GERD and hiatal hernia are rated on the esophageal stricture criteria below, not on heartburn alone. The levels turn on dysphagia, dilatation, and related treatment. Condensed here.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 80% | Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia, with aspiration, undernutrition, and/or substantial weight loss, treated with surgical correction or a PEG tube. |
| 50% | The same stricture history, requiring dilatation 3 or more times per year, steroid dilatation at least once a year, or esophageal stent placement. |
| 30% | Recurrent esophageal stricture causing dysphagia that requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year. |
| 10% | Stricture requiring daily medication to control dysphagia, otherwise asymptomatic. |
| 0% | Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.114 on eCFR · Cornell LII
Every level needs abdominal pain related to defecation during the previous three months, plus two or more of these features: change in stool frequency, change in stool form, altered passage (straining and/or urgency), mucus in the stool, abdominal bloating, or subjective distension. Condensed here.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 30% | Abdominal pain related to defecation at least one day per week during the previous three months. |
| 20% | Abdominal pain related to defecation for at least three days per month during the previous three months. |
| 10% | Abdominal pain related to defecation at least once during the previous three months. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.114 on eCFR · Cornell LII
Condensed here. Diagnosis is confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Severe inflammatory bowel disease unresponsive to treatment and requiring hospitalization at least once per year, with either inability to work or recurrent abdominal pain plus at least two of: 6 or more diarrhea episodes a day, 6 or more rectal bleeding episodes a day, recurrent rectal incontinence, or recurrent abdominal distension. |
| 60% | Moderate disease managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents, with recurrent abdominal pain, four to five diarrhea episodes a day, and intermittent signs of systemic toxicity (for example fever, rapid heartbeat, anemia). |
| 30% | Mild to moderate disease managed with oral and topical agents (not immunosuppressants or biologics), with recurrent abdominal pain, up to three diarrhea episodes a day, and minimal signs of toxicity. |
| 10% | Minimal to mild symptomatic disease managed with oral or topical agents, with recurrent abdominal pain, up to three diarrhea episodes a day, and no signs of systemic toxicity. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.114 on eCFR · Cornell LII
Both use the General Rating Formula for the Skin.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 60% | More than 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, or constant or near-constant systemic therapy required during the past 12-month period. |
| 30% | 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, or systemic therapy required for a total duration of 6 weeks or more, but not constantly, during the past 12-month period. |
| 10% | At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or exposed areas affected, or intermittent systemic therapy required for a total duration of less than 6 weeks during the past 12-month period. |
| 0% | Less than 5 percent of the entire body or exposed areas affected, and no more than topical therapy required during the past 12-month period. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.118 on eCFR · Cornell LII
Condensed here. The regulation also defines the terms used.
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| DC 7800 · 80% | Head, face, or neck: visible or palpable tissue loss with gross distortion or asymmetry of three or more features or paired sets of features, or with six or more characteristics of disfigurement. |
| DC 7800 · 50% | Gross distortion or asymmetry of two features or paired sets, or four or five characteristics of disfigurement. |
| DC 7800 · 30% | Gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set, or two or three characteristics of disfigurement. |
| DC 7800 · 10% | One characteristic of disfigurement. |
| DC 7801 · 40% to 10% | Scars not of the head, face, or neck, with underlying soft tissue damage, by area: 144 sq. in. (929 sq. cm.) or greater = 40%; at least 72 but less than 144 sq. in. = 30%; at least 12 but less than 72 sq. in. = 20%; at least 6 but less than 12 sq. in. = 10%. |
| DC 7802 · 10% | Scars not of the head, face, or neck, without underlying soft tissue damage, covering an area of 144 sq. in. (929 sq. cm.) or greater. |
| DC 7804 · 30% to 10% | Unstable or painful scars: five or more = 30%; three or four = 20%; one or two = 10%. If one or more scars are both unstable and painful, add 10 percent to the evaluation. |
| DC 7805 | Other scars and disabling effects not covered by the codes above are rated under an appropriate diagnostic code. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.118 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 100% | Requiring more than one daily injection of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities) with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring at least three hospitalizations per year or weekly visits to a diabetic care provider, plus either progressive loss of weight and strength or complications that would be compensable if separately evaluated. |
| 60% | Requiring one or more daily injections of insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities with episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemic reactions requiring one or two hospitalizations per year or twice a month visits to a diabetic care provider, plus complications that would not be compensable if separately evaluated. |
| 40% | Requiring insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities. |
| 20% | Requiring insulin and restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet. |
| 10% | Manageable by restricted diet only. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.119 on eCFR · Cornell LII
| Rating | What the regulation asks for |
|---|---|
| 0% | Erectile dysfunction, with or without penile deformity. Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR §3.350. |
Source: 38 CFR §4.115b on eCFR · Cornell LII
Looking for the form that goes with a condition? The DBQ Library links every public VA questionnaire.
Educational information only, not legal, medical, or claims advice. The Veteran Roadmap is not an accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rating criteria are published by the VA in 38 CFR Part 4.
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