Question 1

How many conditions can a veteran claim at the same time?

Accepted Answer

There is no legal limit on the number of service-connected conditions a veteran can claim simultaneously. Veterans routinely have 5 to 15 rated conditions on file. Each condition must have a current diagnosis, an in-service event or injury, and a medical nexus. More properly service-connected conditions increase the combined rating and monthly compensation.

Question 2

What is a secondary service connection and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A secondary service connection applies when a new condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability. For example, a veteran service-connected for PTSD who develops sleep apnea can claim sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. Secondary claims do not require a direct in-service event — they require evidence that the primary condition caused or worsened the secondary condition.

Question 3

What is a diagnostic code and why does it matter for my rating?

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic codes (DC) are the VA's classification system drawn from 38 CFR Part 4. Each code has specific rating criteria defining what symptoms correspond to each percentage. Knowing your condition's diagnostic code tells you what symptoms must be documented to achieve each rating tier — which directly informs how you prepare evidence for your C&P exam.

Question 4

Can I be rated for both PTSD and depression at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. The VA applies a single rating for all mental health conditions under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders — even with separate diagnoses. All mental health symptoms are combined into one rating. However, a veteran can receive separate ratings for neurological conditions (such as TBI rated separately from PTSD) if evidence supports distinct diagnoses.

Question 5

What are presumptive conditions and which veterans qualify?

Accepted Answer

Presumptive conditions are disabilities the VA automatically presumes were caused by military service without requiring a medical nexus letter. Major programs include Agent Orange presumptives for Vietnam veterans (certain cancers, diabetes type II, hypertension, ischemic heart disease), PACT Act burn pit presumptives for post-9/11 veterans, and Gulf War illness presumptives for undiagnosed chronic disabilities.

Question 6

How does the VA rate conditions that affect both sides of the body?

Accepted Answer

When a condition affects both sides of a paired extremity, the VA rates each side separately under the appropriate diagnostic code, then applies the bilateral factor (a 10% bonus) to the combined bilateral subtotal. Both sides must be claimed and rated individually — the bilateral bonus does not apply automatically unless both sides are on file.

Question 7

What should I know about the C&P exam to get an accurate rating?

Accepted Answer

The C&P exam determines your disability rating. Describe your worst days, not average days. Demonstrate all limitations during range of motion testing including pain on motion. Ensure the examiner completes a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) specific to your condition. Request a copy of the exam report through MyHealtheVet to verify accuracy before your rating decision.

Condition	DC	Category	Rating Tiers	Bilateral	Key Notes	Common Secondaries
PTSD	9411	Mental Health	0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 70% / 100%	—	Rated under General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. 70% is the most common rating for combat-related PTSD.	Sleep apnea, depression, GERD, substance use, hypertension
Major Depressive Disorder	9434	Mental Health	0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 70% / 100%	—	Same mental-disorder formula as PTSD. Only one mental-health rating is assigned even with multiple diagnoses.	Sleep apnea, GERD, erectile dysfunction (medication side effect)
Anxiety Disorder	9400	Mental Health	0% / 10% / 30% / 50% / 70% / 100%	—	Includes generalized anxiety and panic disorder. Combined with other mental conditions into a single rating.	Hypertension, IBS, migraines
Tinnitus	6260	Auditory	10%	—	Capped at 10% — same rating whether unilateral or bilateral. The most-claimed VA disability.	Hearing loss, migraines, anxiety/insomnia
Hearing Loss	6100	Auditory	0% / 10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 50% / 60% / 70% / 80% / 90% / 100%	—	Rated using Maryland CNC speech and puretone thresholds. Most veterans rate 0–10% even with significant loss.	Tinnitus, vertigo
Sleep Apnea	6847	Respiratory	0% / 30% / 50% / 100%	—	50% rating with prescribed CPAP. Requires polysomnography (sleep study) for diagnosis.	Hypertension, weight gain, GERD, depression
Asthma	6602	Respiratory	10% / 30% / 60% / 100%	—	Rated by FEV-1 / FEV-1/FVC ratios and need for inhalational/oral medication.	Sinusitis, rhinitis, sleep apnea
Sinusitis	6513	Respiratory	0% / 10% / 30% / 50%	—	Rated by frequency of incapacitating episodes per year requiring antibiotics.	Sleep apnea, headaches, rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis	6522	Respiratory	10% / 30%	—	10% without polyps; 30% with polyps. Common Gulf War / burn pit presumptive.	Sinusitis, sleep apnea
Lumbar Strain (Lower Back)	5237	Musculoskeletal	10% / 20% / 40% / 50% / 100%	—	Rated under General Spine Formula by forward flexion and combined ROM. Most common back rating is 10–20%.	Radiculopathy (sciatica) — rate each leg separately under DC 8520
Cervical Strain (Neck)	5237	Musculoskeletal	10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 100%	—	Same spine formula as lumbar but with neck ROM thresholds (forward flexion to 45°).	Cervical radiculopathy in arms, headaches
Knee — Limitation of Flexion	5260	Musculoskeletal	0% / 10% / 20% / 30%	Yes	Rated separately for each knee. Bilateral factor (10% bonus) applies if both knees rated.	Opposite knee, hip, ankle, low back from altered gait
Knee — Instability	5257	Musculoskeletal	10% / 20% / 30%	Yes	Slight 10% / Moderate 20% / Severe 30%. Can be rated separately from limitation of motion in the same knee.	Meniscus tears, patellofemoral syndrome
Ankle — Limited Motion	5271	Musculoskeletal	10% / 20%	Yes	10% moderate, 20% marked. Bilateral factor applies if both ankles rated.	Plantar fasciitis, knee, hip
Plantar Fasciitis	5269	Musculoskeletal	10% / 20% / 30%	Yes	New DC as of 2021. 10% per foot, 20% bilateral with orthotics, 30% bilateral with surgery.	Knee, hip, low back
Shoulder — Limited Motion	5201	Musculoskeletal	20% / 30% / 40%	Yes	Rated by arm elevation. Dominant arm rates slightly higher than non-dominant at the 30/40% tiers.	Cervical strain, elbow
Radiculopathy — Sciatic Nerve	8520	Neurological	10% / 20% / 40% / 60% / 80%	Yes	Rated per leg as mild/moderate/moderately severe/severe with marked muscular atrophy/complete paralysis.	Often secondary to lumbar spine condition
Migraine Headaches	8100	Neurological	0% / 10% / 30% / 50%	—	50% requires very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.	Often secondary to TBI, neck strain, or mental health conditions
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)	8045	Neurological	0% / 10% / 40% / 70% / 100%	—	Rated across 10 facets of cognitive impairment; highest facet drives the rating.	Migraines, tinnitus, vertigo, mental health, sleep disorders
Peripheral Neuropathy (Upper)	8515	Neurological	10% / 30% / 40% / 50% / 60% / 70%	Yes	Median nerve rated mild/moderate/severe. Common with diabetes (Agent Orange presumptive).	Diabetes mellitus type II
GERD (Acid Reflux)	7206	Digestive	10% / 30% / 50% / 80%	—	Updated DC 7206 (2024) — rated by symptoms, frequency, and complications like stricture or Barrett's.	Often secondary to PTSD/anxiety medications or sleep apnea
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)	7319	Digestive	0% / 10% / 20% / 30%	—	30% for severe diarrhea with more or less constant abdominal distress. Common Gulf War presumptive.	Anxiety, GERD
Hypertension	7101	Cardiovascular	10% / 20% / 40% / 60%	—	10% if diastolic 100+ or systolic 160+ requiring medication. Now Agent Orange presumptive (2022).	Often secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)	7005	Cardiovascular	10% / 30% / 60% / 100%	—	Rated by METs workload and ejection fraction. Agent Orange presumptive condition (ischemic heart disease).	Hypertension, diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus Type II	7913	Endocrine	10% / 20% / 40% / 60% / 100%	—	Agent Orange presumptive. Rated by treatment regimen (diet, oral meds, insulin, regulation of activities).	Peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, CAD
Eczema / Dermatitis	7806	Skin	0% / 10% / 30% / 60%	—	Rated by percent of body affected and systemic therapy required in past 12 months.	Often secondary to chemical exposure or burn pits
Scars (Painful or Unstable)	7804	Skin	10% / 20% / 30%	—	10% for one or two painful/unstable scars; up to 30% for five or more.	—
Erectile Dysfunction	7522	Genitourinary	0% / 20%	—	0% rating with Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) — adds $142.91/mo (2026) for loss of use of a creative organ.	Often secondary to diabetes, PTSD medications, or prostate conditions
Prostate Cancer	7528	Genitourinary	100%	—	100% during active treatment; reduced after 6 months based on residuals (urinary, ED). Agent Orange presumptive.	Erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence
Flat Feet (Pes Planus)	5276	Musculoskeletal	0% / 10% / 20% / 30% / 50%	Yes	30% bilateral severe / 50% bilateral pronounced. Bilateral factor applies when both feet rated.	Plantar fasciitis, knee, hip, low back

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