VA Condition Library
How the VA rates 78+ conditions — the official criteria for every percentage, PACT Act presumptives, and the secondary conditions veterans pair with them.
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78 conditions
Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound with no external source. It is the single most claimed VA disability, rated at a flat 10 percent.
Rated up to 10%
Hearing Loss (Sensorineural)
Service-connected hearing loss is rated by a strict mechanical formula from your audiogram, not by how much trouble you feel you have hearing. Most grants come out at 0 or 10 percent even when hearing aids are needed.
Rated up to 100%
Lumbosacral Strain (Low Back Strain)
Chronic strain of the low back muscles and ligaments, one of the most commonly claimed VA disabilities. VA rates it on how far you can bend and move your low back, not on how much it hurts.
Rated up to 100%
Limitation of Knee Flexion
The most commonly rated knee disability: how far you can bend the knee. Ratings run 0 to 30 percent based on measured flexion, with a 10 percent floor for a painful knee under the painful-motion rule.
Rated up to 30%
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a trauma-related condition marked by re-experiencing, avoidance, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal after an in-service traumatic event. VA rates it on how much it impairs your ability to work and maintain relationships, not on the severity of the trauma itself.
Rated up to 100%
Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
Wear-and-tear arthritis confirmed by X-ray. VA rates it through the motion limits of each affected joint, with a 10 percent floor for a painful arthritic joint even when motion is nearly normal.
Rated up to 20%
Sleep Apnea (Obstructive, Central, or Mixed)
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. VA rates it on how it is treated and how severe the effects are, from documented-but-asymptomatic up to chronic respiratory failure.
Rated up to 100%
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder involves persistent low mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep, energy, and concentration. VA rates it on the degree of occupational and social impairment, and it is one of the most common conditions claimed secondary to chronic pain.
Rated up to 100%
Migraine Headaches
Migraines are recurring severe headaches, often with nausea and light sensitivity. VA rates them entirely on how often you have 'prostrating' attacks - attacks so severe you must stop what you are doing and lie down.
Rated up to 50%
Cervical Strain (Neck Strain)
Chronic strain of the neck muscles and ligaments. VA rates it on how far you can move your neck under the same spine formula used for the low back, with neck-specific degree thresholds.
Rated up to 100%
Sciatic Radiculopathy (Lower Extremity)
Sciatic radiculopathy is nerve pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the low back down the leg, usually caused by a spine condition pressing on the sciatic nerve root. VA rates it per leg based on how severe the nerve impairment is.
Rated up to 80%
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Wear-and-tear breakdown of the spinal discs and joints, in the low back or neck. VA rates it on measured spinal motion under the same formula used for back and neck strain.
Rated up to 100%
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent, excessive worry that is hard to control, with physical symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, and sleep problems. VA rates it on how much it impairs work and social functioning.
Rated up to 100%
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension is chronically elevated blood pressure. VA rates it on your actual documented blood pressure readings, with a minimum 10 percent rating for veterans who need continuous medication and have a history of diastolic pressure of 100 or more.
Rated up to 60%
Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the tissue band supporting the arch, causing heel and arch pain. VA gave it its own diagnostic code in 2021, rated 10 to 30 percent based mainly on whether treatment provides relief.
Rated up to 40%
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet, legs, or hands causing burning pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness - most often from diabetes. There is no single diagnostic code: VA rates each affected nerve in each extremity separately.
Rated up to 80%
Limited Motion of the Ankle
Chronic ankle conditions (often old sprains or arthritis) are rated 10 or 20 percent based on measured loss of up-and-down motion, using specific degree cutoffs added to the rule in 2021.
Rated up to 20%
Limited Motion of the Shoulder (Arm)
Shoulder ratings depend on how high you can raise your arm and whether it is your dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) side. Ratings run 20 to 40 percent.
Rated up to 40%
Flat Feet (Acquired Pes Planus)
Fallen arches acquired or aggravated in service. Rated 0 to 50 percent based on severity of deformity, pain, and whether orthotics help, with higher percentages when both feet are affected.
Rated up to 50%
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
GERD is chronic acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Since May 19, 2024 it has its own diagnostic code (7206) and is rated on esophageal stricture criteria - how badly documented narrowing of the esophagus affects swallowing and what treatment it requires.
Rated up to 80%
Knee Instability (Recurrent Subluxation or Instability)
A knee that gives way due to ligament damage or kneecap instability. Under criteria revised in 2021, the rating depends on the type of ligament injury and whether a medical provider has prescribed a brace or assistive device.
Rated up to 30%
Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (Cervical Radiculopathy)
Cervical radiculopathy is pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand from a compressed nerve root. VA rates it per arm, with higher percentages for your dominant (major) arm.
Rated up to 70%
Asthma (Bronchial Asthma)
Asthma is a chronic airway disease causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. VA rates it on pulmonary function test (PFT) results or on how much medication and medical care it requires, whichever applies.
Rated up to 100%
Chronic Adjustment Disorder
Chronic adjustment disorder is an ongoing emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressor - often a service-connected disability, injury, or major life change - with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both. VA rates it the same way as every other mental disorder: by occupational and social impairment.
Rated up to 100%
Meniscus Tear (Semilunar Cartilage Injury)
A tear of the knee's shock-absorbing cartilage. VA pays 20 percent for a dislocated meniscus with frequent locking, pain, and joint effusion, or 10 percent for lingering symptoms after the meniscus is surgically removed.
Rated up to 20%
Painful or Unstable Scars
Scars that are painful or unstable (skin repeatedly breaks down over them) are rated under DC 7804 based simply on how many qualifying scars you have. This is one of the most commonly added ratings after any service-connected surgery or injury.
Rated up to 30%
Rotator Cuff Injury (Tear or Tendinopathy)
There is no dedicated diagnostic code for rotator cuff injuries, so VA rates them analogously - usually as limitation of arm motion (5201), sometimes as a muscle injury (5304) or tenosynovitis (5024).
Rated up to 40%
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. VA rates it per wrist under the median nerve code, with higher percentages for your dominant hand.
Rated up to 70%
Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS)
A herniated disc that compresses or irritates the adjacent nerve root. VA can rate it on doctor-prescribed bed rest episodes instead of range of motion, whichever pays more.
Rated up to 60%
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is chronic nasal inflammation causing congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. VA rates it on whether nasal polyps are present and how blocked the nasal passages are, with a maximum of 30 percent.
Rated up to 30%
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is impaired blood sugar regulation. VA rates it 10 to 100 percent under DC 7913 based on what it takes to manage: diet alone, medication or insulin, restriction of activities, and hospitalizations for blood sugar crises - and its complications are usually rated separately on top.
Rated up to 100%
Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is long-term inflammation and infection of the sinus cavities causing headaches, facial pain, and discharge. VA rates all forms on one shared formula based on how many sinusitis episodes you have per year and how severe they are.
Rated up to 50%
Limited Motion of the Hip (Thigh)
Hip disabilities are rated on how far the thigh moves in each direction. Flexion (raising the knee toward the chest) is the main measure, rated 10 to 40 percent, and other planes of motion can add separate ratings.
Rated up to 40%
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Residuals
TBI residuals are the lasting effects of a head injury - problems with memory, concentration, mood, headaches, dizziness, and more. VA rates TBI with a unique facet-based system where your single worst area of impairment sets the rating.
Rated up to 100%
Coronary Artery Disease (Ischemic Heart Disease)
Coronary artery disease is narrowing of the heart's arteries that limits blood flow. VA rates it under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Heart, based on the exercise workload (in METs) at which heart failure symptoms appear.
Rated up to 100%
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is rated 0 percent under DC 7522 - but a 0 percent grant still matters, because service-connected ED entitles you to Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for loss of use of a creative organ, a monthly payment on top of your other compensation.
Rated up to 0%
Fibromyalgia
Widespread musculoskeletal pain with tender points, often with fatigue, sleep problems, and stiffness. VA rates it 10, 20, or 40 percent based on how constant the symptoms are and whether they respond to treatment.
Rated up to 40%
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a functional bowel disorder causing abdominal pain tied to bowel movements, with diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or urgency. Since the May 2024 revision it is rated 10, 20, or 30 percent based on how often pain related to defecation occurs.
Rated up to 30%
Panic Disorder and/or Agoraphobia
Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent fear of future attacks; agoraphobia is avoidance of places where escape feels difficult. VA rates both under one diagnostic code based on occupational and social impairment.
Rated up to 100%
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes cycling episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. VA rates it under the general mental disorders formula based on occupational and social impairment across the full cycle of the illness, not just during episodes.
Rated up to 100%
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus that can bleed, prolapse, or form painful clots (thrombosis). Under the May 2024 criteria they are rated 10 or 20 percent based on bleeding with anemia, prolapse, and how many thrombosis episodes occur per year.
Rated up to 20%
Knee Replacement (Prosthesis or Resurfacing)
Knee replacement or resurfacing surgery gets a temporary 100 percent rating for 4 months after surgery, then a permanent rating based on residuals - never below 30 percent for a total replacement.
Rated up to 100%
Eczema (Dermatitis)
Eczema (dermatitis) causes itchy, inflamed, recurring skin rashes. VA rates it on how much of your body or exposed skin is affected, or on how much systemic (internal) therapy you need each year.
Rated up to 60%
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a progressive lung disease that obstructs airflow and makes breathing difficult. VA rates it almost entirely on objective pulmonary function test results, with higher ratings for oxygen therapy or heart complications.
Rated up to 100%
Hallux Valgus (Bunion)
A bunion - the great toe angling outward with a painful bump at its base. VA rates it a flat 10 percent per foot, either after bunion surgery with bone resection or when severe enough to equal an amputated great toe.
Rated up to 10%
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid causing fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and slowed thinking. Since the 2018 endocrine revision, VA rates it 30 percent for six months after diagnosis (100 percent if myxedema is present), then rates the lasting residuals under the body systems they affect.
Rated up to 100%
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that consume time and interfere with functioning. VA rates it on occupational and social impairment under the general mental disorders formula.
Rated up to 100%
Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia is tissue bulging through a weak spot in the groin wall. Since May 2024, DC 7338 covers all abdominal wall hernias (inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, incisional - but not hiatal) and rates 0 to 100 percent based on whether the hernia is irreparable, its size, and pain during daily activities.
Rated up to 100%
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
An autoimmune disease that inflames multiple joints. VA rates the active disease on how incapacitating the flares and constitutional symptoms are, or rates the permanent joint damage joint by joint, whichever is higher.
Rated up to 100%
Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis)
Recurrent kidney stones are rated under DC 7508. Frequent stone formation requiring procedures more than twice a year rates 30 percent; otherwise stones are rated like hydronephrosis (10-30 percent) based on how often colic attacks occur and whether infection or drainage is involved.
Rated up to 30%
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins, usually in the legs, that can cause aching, swelling, skin changes, and ulcers. VA rates them per affected leg based on edema, skin changes, and ulceration.
Rated up to 100%
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease causing thick, scaly plaques. VA rates it on the percentage of body or exposed skin affected, or on how much systemic therapy (including biologics) you need per year; psoriatic arthritis is rated separately.
Rated up to 60%
Urinary Frequency / Voiding Dysfunction
Urinary frequency and other voiding problems are rated under the voiding dysfunction criteria in 38 CFR 4.115a, which apply across many genitourinary codes (this entry uses DC 7542, neurogenic bladder, as the anchor). Ratings run 10-40 percent for frequency, up to 60 percent for urine leakage requiring pads, and up to 30 percent for obstructed voiding.
Rated up to 60%
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes with a persistent productive cough. VA rates it on the same pulmonary function test criteria used for COPD.
Rated up to 100%
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder involving hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and negative symptoms like social withdrawal. It is rated under the general mental disorders formula and, as a psychosis, carries a one-year presumptive service connection window after separation.
Rated up to 100%
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular, often rapid heart rhythm. VA rates it under DC 7010 (supraventricular tachycardia) based on how many treatment interventions you need per year, with a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent.
Rated up to 30%
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcer disease is open sores in the stomach or duodenum causing abdominal pain, nausea, and sometimes bleeding. The May 2024 revision consolidated the old separate gastric, duodenal, and marginal ulcer codes into a single DC 7304 rated on episode frequency, bleeding, and hospitalization.
Rated up to 100%
Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)
Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are rated on how often you have seizures. Major (grand mal / tonic-clonic) seizures with loss of consciousness count for more than minor seizures, and a confirmed diagnosis guarantees at least 10 percent.
Rated up to 100%
Other Scars (Body Scars)
Scars on the body (not head, face, or neck) are rated by surface area if they are nonlinear: deep scars under DC 7801 (up to 40 percent) and superficial scars under DC 7802 (10 percent). DC 7805 catches any other disabling effect of a scar, rated under the appropriate body-system code.
Rated up to 40%
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Somatic symptom disorder involves distressing physical symptoms - often chronic pain - accompanied by excessive thoughts, anxiety, and behaviors centered on those symptoms. VA rates it as a mental disorder based on occupational and social impairment.
Rated up to 100%
Deviated Nasal Septum (Traumatic)
A deviated septum is a displacement of the wall between the nostrils that blocks airflow. VA rates it under a single 10 percent tier, and only when the deviation is traumatic (caused by injury).
Rated up to 10%
Disfiguring Scars of the Head, Face, or Neck
Scars or other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (from burns, wounds, or surgery) are rated on visible tissue loss, distortion of facial features, and specific 'characteristics of disfigurement' such as length, width, and skin changes.
Rated up to 80%
Gallbladder Disease (Chronic Biliary Tract Disease)
Chronic gallbladder and biliary tract disease causes recurring attacks of right-upper-abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. Since May 2024, DC 7314 covers chronic biliary tract disease broadly and rates 0, 10, or 30 percent based on documented attack frequency over the past 12 months.
Rated up to 30%
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (paralysis agitans) is a progressive movement disorder causing tremor, stiffness, slowness, and balance problems. VA assigns a minimum 30 percent rating for the disease itself, and each ratable residual can be rated separately on top when that produces a higher combined result.
Rated up to 100%
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall, causing attacks of abdominal pain, fever, and elevated white counts. Since May 2024, DC 7327 has its own criteria rated 0, 20, or 30 percent based on hospitalizations and complications.
Rated up to 30%
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is uterine-type tissue growing outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain and heavy or irregular bleeding. VA rates it 10, 30, or 50 percent based on symptom control and bowel or bladder involvement, and the diagnosis must be confirmed by laparoscopy.
Rated up to 50%
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages nerve insulation in the brain and spinal cord, causing fatigue, weakness, vision problems, numbness, and mobility issues. VA assigns a minimum 30 percent rating and can rate each residual separately when that yields more.
Rated up to 100%
Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (Post-Phlebitic Syndrome)
Post-thrombotic syndrome is chronic leg swelling, pain, skin changes, and sometimes ulcers that develop after a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) damages the vein. VA rates it per affected leg on edema, skin changes, and ulceration.
Rated up to 100%
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon and rectum causing bloody diarrhea, urgency, and abdominal pain. Since May 2024 it keeps its own code (7323) but is rated using the Crohn's/IBD criteria under DC 7326, from 10 to 100 percent.
Rated up to 100%
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the GI tract, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding, and systemic symptoms. It is rated 10 to 100 percent under DC 7326 based on symptom severity, daily episode counts, treatment intensity, and signs of systemic toxicity.
Rated up to 100%
Hysterectomy (Removal of the Uterus)
A service-connected hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) rates 100 percent for three months after the surgery, then a permanent 30 percent. If both ovaries are also removed, the permanent rating is 50 percent under DC 7617.
Rated up to 100%
Meniere's Disease (Endolymphatic Hydrops)
Meniere's disease is an inner-ear disorder causing episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. VA rates it on how often vertigo attacks with an unsteady (cerebellar) gait occur, up to 100 percent.
Rated up to 100%
Acne
Service-connected acne is rated on whether it is deep (inflamed nodules and pus-filled cysts) and how much of the face and neck it affects, topping out at 30 percent - or it can be rated as disfigurement or scarring if that is worse.
Rated up to 30%
Peripheral Vestibular Disorder
Peripheral vestibular disorders are inner-ear balance problems causing dizziness and unsteadiness (including labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and BPPV). VA rates them at 10 or 30 percent based on dizziness and staggering.
Rated up to 30%
Anemia (Iron Deficiency and Related Anemias)
Anemia is a shortage of healthy red blood cells causing fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Since VA's 2018 hematologic revision, the old catch-all anemia code (DC 7700) is gone - anemia is now rated by type, most commonly iron deficiency anemia under DC 7720, based on the treatment required.
Rated up to 30%
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa involves restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image. Unlike other mental health conditions, VA rates it on weight loss and incapacitating episodes rather than occupational and social impairment.
Rated up to 100%
Bell's Palsy (Facial Nerve Paralysis)
Bell's palsy is sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side, caused by inflammation of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve. VA rates it on how much facial muscle function is lost, up to 30 percent.
Rated up to 30%
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise. VA rates it under the eating disorders formula, based on weight loss and incapacitating episodes rather than occupational and social impairment.
Rated up to 100%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.