VA CFR News
How is my
rated?
Enter a condition above to see VA disability rating criteria.
Examples: ankle, knee, back, neck, shoulder, hip, PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, migraine, GERD
Examples: ankle, knee, back, neck, shoulder, hip, PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, migraine, GERD
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Try searching for: ankle, knee, back, neck, shoulder, hip, PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, migraine, or GERD
Try searching for: ankle, knee, back, neck, shoulder, hip, PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, migraine, or GERD
🦶 Ankle Conditions
38 CFR § 4.71a📐 Normal Range of Motion
- Dorsiflexion: 0° to 20°
- Plantar Flexion: 0° to 45°
DC 5271
Limited Motion of the Ankle
ℹ️ Most common ankle rating code
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | Marked limitation of motion |
| 10% | Moderate limitation of motion |
DC 5270
Ankylosis of the Ankle
ℹ️ Ankle is frozen/fused in position
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | In plantar flexion at more than 40°, OR in dorsiflexion at more than 10°, OR with abduction, adduction, inversion or eversion deformity |
| 30% | In plantar flexion between 30° and 40°, OR in dorsiflexion between 0° and 10° |
| 20% | In plantar flexion less than 30° |
DC 5272
Ankylosis of Subastragalar or Tarsal Joint
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | In poor weight-bearing position |
| 10% | In good weight-bearing position |
DC 5273
Malunion of Os Calcis or Astragalus
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | Marked deformity |
| 10% | Moderate deformity |
DC 5274
Astragalectomy
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | Removal of the talus bone |
💡 Tips
- DC 5271 (limited motion) maxes out at 20% per ankle
- For higher ratings, you need ankylosis (DC 5270) or other specific conditions
- Bilateral ankle conditions can be combined using VA math
- Document painful motion, flare-ups, and functional loss at your C&P exam
🦵 Knee Conditions
38 CFR § 4.71a📐 Normal Range of Motion
- Flexion: 0° to 140°
- Extension: 0° (full straightening)
DC 5260
Limitation of Flexion of the Leg
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | Flexion limited to 15° |
| 20% | Flexion limited to 30° |
| 10% | Flexion limited to 45° |
| 0% | Flexion limited to 60° |
DC 5261
Limitation of Extension of the Leg
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 50% | Extension limited to 45° |
| 40% | Extension limited to 30° |
| 30% | Extension limited to 20° |
| 20% | Extension limited to 15° |
| 10% | Extension limited to 10° |
| 0% | Extension limited to 5° |
DC 5257
Recurrent Subluxation or Lateral Instability
ℹ️ Can be rated separately from limitation of motion
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | Severe instability |
| 20% | Moderate instability |
| 10% | Slight instability |
DC 5258
Dislocated Semilunar Cartilage (Meniscus)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | With frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint |
DC 5259
Removal of Semilunar Cartilage (Meniscectomy)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Symptomatic removal of meniscus |
💡 Tips
- Limitation of flexion (DC 5260) and extension (DC 5261) can be rated separately
- Instability (DC 5257) can be rated IN ADDITION to limitation of motion
- Document painful motion at your C&P exam
- Meniscus issues may warrant separate ratings
🔙 Back / Thoracolumbar Spine
38 CFR § 4.71a📐 Normal Range of Motion - Thoracolumbar
- Forward Flexion: 0° to 90°
- Extension: 0° to 30°
- Lateral Flexion: 0° to 30° each side
- Rotation: 0° to 30° each side
- Combined ROM: 240° total
General Rating Formula
Thoracolumbar Spine (with or without pain)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine |
| 50% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine |
| 40% | Forward flexion 30° or less; OR favorable ankylosis of entire thoracolumbar spine |
| 20% | Forward flexion greater than 30° but not greater than 60°; OR combined ROM not greater than 120°; OR muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour |
| 10% | Forward flexion greater than 60° but not greater than 85°; OR combined ROM greater than 120° but not greater than 235°; OR muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness |
DC 5243
Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS)
ℹ️ Can be rated under General Formula OR Incapacitating Episodes - whichever is higher
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Incapacitating episodes totaling at least 6 weeks during past 12 months |
| 40% | Incapacitating episodes totaling at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks |
| 20% | Incapacitating episodes totaling at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks |
| 10% | Incapacitating episodes totaling at least 1 week but less than 2 weeks |
💡 Tips
- Radiculopathy (nerve pain down legs) is rated separately under DC 8520
- An "incapacitating episode" requires bed rest PRESCRIBED by a physician
- Document flare-ups and their frequency/duration
- Combined ROM = flexion + extension + both lateral flexions + both rotations
Neck / Cervical Spine
38 CFR § 4.71a📐 Normal Range of Motion - Cervical
- Forward Flexion: 0° to 45°
- Extension: 0° to 45°
- Lateral Flexion: 0° to 45° each side
- Rotation: 0° to 80° each side
- Combined ROM: 340° total
General Rating Formula
Cervical Spine (with or without pain)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine |
| 40% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine |
| 30% | Forward flexion 15° or less; OR favorable ankylosis of entire cervical spine |
| 20% | Forward flexion greater than 15° but not greater than 30°; OR combined ROM not greater than 170° |
| 10% | Forward flexion greater than 30° but not greater than 40°; OR combined ROM greater than 170° but not greater than 335°; OR muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness |
💡 Tips
- Upper extremity radiculopathy is rated separately
- Document headaches if they result from cervical strain
- Cervical and thoracolumbar spine can be rated separately
💪 Shoulder Conditions
38 CFR § 4.71a📐 Normal Range of Motion
- Forward Flexion: 0° to 180°
- Abduction: 0° to 180°
- Internal Rotation: 0° to 90°
- External Rotation: 0° to 90°
DC 5201
Limitation of Motion of Arm
ℹ️ Dominant (Major) arm gets higher ratings than non-dominant (Minor)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% / 30% | Motion limited to 25° from side (Major / Minor) |
| 30% / 20% | Motion limited to midway between side and shoulder level (Major / Minor) |
| 20% / 20% | Motion limited at shoulder level - 90° (Major / Minor) |
DC 5203
Impairment of Clavicle or Scapula
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | Dislocation of clavicle or scapula; OR nonunion with loose movement |
| 10% | Nonunion without loose movement; OR malunion |
💡 Tips
- Dominant arm gets higher ratings for most codes
- Rotator cuff injuries are often rated under DC 5201
- Document which arm is dominant at your C&P exam
Hip Conditions
38 CFR § 4.71a📐 Normal Range of Motion
- Flexion: 0° to 125°
- Extension: 0° to 10°
- Abduction: 0° to 45°
DC 5252
Limitation of Flexion of Thigh
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 40% | Flexion limited to 10° |
| 30% | Flexion limited to 20° |
| 20% | Flexion limited to 30° |
| 10% | Flexion limited to 45° |
DC 5054
Hip Replacement (Prosthesis)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | For 1 year following implantation |
| 90% | Following implantation with painful motion or weakness |
| 70% | Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion |
| 50% | Moderately severe residuals |
| 30% | Minimum rating after hip replacement |
💡 Tips
- Hip replacement guarantees minimum 30% after the recovery year
- Flexion and extension can potentially be rated separately
🧠 PTSD / Mental Health
38 CFR § 4.130
DC 9411
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
ℹ️ All mental health conditions use the same General Rating Formula
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total occupational and social impairment: gross impairment in thought processes; persistent delusions/hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; inability to perform activities of daily living; disorientation; memory loss for names of close relatives or own name |
| 70% | Deficiencies in most areas: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals; illogical speech; near-continuous panic or depression; impaired impulse control; spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance; difficulty adapting; inability to establish effective relationships |
| 50% | Reduced reliability and productivity: flattened affect; circumstantial speech; panic attacks >1x/week; difficulty understanding complex commands; memory impairment; impaired judgment; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty establishing work/social relationships |
| 30% | Occasional decrease in work efficiency: depressed mood; anxiety; suspiciousness; panic attacks weekly or less; chronic sleep impairment; mild memory loss |
| 10% | Mild or transient symptoms decreasing work efficiency only during significant stress; or controlled by medication |
| 0% | Diagnosed but symptoms not severe enough to interfere with functioning or require medication |
💡 Tips
- Rating is based on OVERALL occupational and social impairment, not just checking boxes
- Document frequency and severity of all symptoms
- Treatment records showing ongoing symptoms are important
- Same criteria apply to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
- You cannot be rated separately for PTSD AND depression - one combined rating
😴 Sleep Apnea
38 CFR § 4.97
DC 6847
Sleep Apnea (Obstructive, Central, Mixed)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale; OR requires tracheostomy |
| 50% | Requires use of breathing assistance device such as CPAP machine |
| 30% | Persistent daytime hypersomnolence (excessive sleepiness) |
| 0% | Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing |
💡 Tips
- CPAP use = automatic 50% rating
- Must have diagnosis from a sleep study
- Secondary conditions (like PTSD causing sleep apnea) may allow service connection
- Recent VA proposals may change these criteria - verify current regulations
👂 Tinnitus
38 CFR § 4.87
DC 6260
Tinnitus
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Recurrent tinnitus (ringing in ears) |
💡 Tips
- 10% is the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus
- Bilateral (both ears) and unilateral (one ear) get the same 10% rating
- Often service-connected along with hearing loss
- Lay statements about onset during service are important evidence
👂 Hearing Loss
38 CFR § 4.85-4.86
DC 6100
Hearing Impairment
ℹ️ Rating is mechanical - based strictly on audiometric test results using Tables VI and VII
| Rating | General Description |
|---|---|
| 100% | Level XI hearing in both ears (profound loss) |
| 80-90% | Severe hearing loss in both ears |
| 40-70% | Moderately severe bilateral hearing loss |
| 10-30% | Moderate bilateral hearing loss |
| 0% | Mild hearing loss or loss in only one ear |
💡 Tips
- Rating is purely mechanical based on audiogram results
- Uses puretone threshold average and speech discrimination scores
- Exceptional patterns of hearing loss may allow higher ratings (§4.86)
- Often rated 0% even when service-connected due to strict criteria
- Tinnitus (10%) is typically rated separately
🤕 Migraine Headaches
38 CFR § 4.124a
DC 8100
Migraine
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 50% | Very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability |
| 30% | Characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over last several months |
| 10% | Characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months |
| 0% | Less frequent attacks |
💡 Tips
- "Prostrating" means you have to stop what you're doing and lie down
- Keep a headache diary documenting frequency and severity
- Document missed work due to migraines
- 50% requires showing "severe economic inadaptability"
GERD / Acid Reflux
38 CFR § 4.114
DC 7346
Hiatal Hernia (also used for GERD by analogy)
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health |
| 30% | Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health |
| 10% | Two or more of the symptoms for the 30% evaluation of less severity |
💡 Tips
- GERD is typically rated by analogy to hiatal hernia (DC 7346)
- Document all symptoms: heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing
- Weight loss and anemia can support higher ratings
📋 Recent Regulatory Updates (Last 12 Months)
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