How many conditions can the VA rate at once?

The VA can rate an unlimited number of service-connected conditions simultaneously. There is no cap on how many conditions appear on a veteran's rating. Each condition is rated individually under its diagnostic code, and all compensable ratings are then combined using the VA whole person method into a single combined rating. Veterans with many conditions do not receive simple addition of their percentages. Instead each additional condition is applied to the remaining healthy efficiency. The practical effect is that additional conditions matter most when they push the raw combined rating across a rounding threshold, which can mean hundreds of dollars more per month in compensation.

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

Secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310 allows the VA to rate a condition that was caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability. The veteran does not need to prove a new direct connection to military service. They only need to show that the existing service-connected condition caused or worsened the new one. This is established through a medical nexus opinion from a physician. Common secondary connections include sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, radiculopathy secondary to lumbar spine conditions, hypertension secondary to PTSD or sleep apnea, and ankle conditions secondary to knee disabilities. Secondary claims are one of the most underused pathways to a higher combined rating.

What does it mean when a condition is rated by analogy?

Under 38 CFR 4.20, when a veteran has a condition that does not have its own diagnostic code in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the VA rates it under the diagnostic code for the most closely related condition. This is called rating by analogy. For example, a relatively rare joint condition might be rated under the code for the nearest comparable joint with established criteria. Analogous ratings are given the same weight as standard diagnostic code ratings. Veterans with conditions not on the standard list should not assume their condition is not ratable. A VSO or VA-accredited attorney can identify the correct analogous code to use.

Can the VA reduce my rating after it is assigned?

The VA can reduce a disability rating under certain circumstances, but there are regulatory protections in place. A rating cannot be reduced without a full re-examination showing material improvement under ordinary conditions of life. A rating that has been in place for 5 or more years requires sustained improvement shown across multiple examinations before a reduction can be made. A rating that has been continuously held for 20 or more years is considered protected and cannot be reduced below that level absent a finding of fraud. Permanent and Total designations, which the VA assigns when a condition is not expected to improve, provide additional protection against future re-examination and reduction.

Last Updated: May 2026

VA Disability Conditions Reference

The 30 most-claimed VA disabilities — diagnostic codes, rating tiers, bilateral eligibility, and common secondary claims.

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

Diagnostic codes (DC) reference 38 CFR Part 4 - VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Rating tiers shown are the percentages available under each diagnostic code; the actual rating depends on documented symptoms and C&P exam findings.

VA Disability Conditions List

The VA rates disability through the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, found at 38 CFR Part 4. That schedule covers more than 1,000 named conditions organized by body system. Every condition is assigned a diagnostic code. Every diagnostic code has rating criteria. The criteria determine your percentage.

This page lists the most commonly claimed VA disabilities by body system. Each section covers the rating range and the diagnostic code. Conditions with their own detailed guides link directly to those pages.

If your condition is not listed here, it may still be ratable. The VA also rates conditions by analogy under 38 CFR 4.20, meaning a condition without its own code is compared to the most similar condition that does have one. A VA-accredited attorney or VSO can help identify the correct code for an unlisted condition.

How to Use This Page

Find your body system in the sections below. Click through to the detailed condition guide for conditions that have one. Use the VA disability calculator on this site to estimate your combined rating based on multiple conditions.

If you have a condition that is not listed, use the search on this page or contact a VSO for help finding the right diagnostic code.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Musculoskeletal conditions are the most claimed category in the VA system. They include injuries to bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissue. Most are rated based on range of motion measurements taken at a Compensation and Pension exam.

Back Pain and Lumbar Spine (DC 5237, 5243) The second most claimed VA disability overall. Rated under the General Rating Formula for the Spine based on forward flexion. Ratings run from 10% to 40% under the standard formula, and up to 60% for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome with incapacitating episodes. Secondary radiculopathy is separately ratable. Full guide: VA disability rating for back pain

Knee Conditions (DC 5257, 5260, 5261, 5055) One of the most frequently underrated conditions. Veterans can receive separate ratings for instability, limited flexion, and limited extension on the same knee. Ratings run from 10% to 30% per code, with a minimum 30% after total knee replacement. Full guide: VA disability rating for knee conditions

Hip Conditions (DC 5251, 5252, 5253) Rated by limitation of motion of the hip joint. Frequently claimed as secondary to knee or back conditions from altered gait. Ratings range from 10% to 40% depending on degree of limitation.

Shoulder Conditions (DC 5200, 5201, 5202, 5203) Rated under limitation of motion, ankylosis, or impairment of the humerus. Common among veterans who loaded aircraft, operated heavy equipment, or sustained trauma during service. Ratings range from 10% to 50% under motion codes, with higher ratings for ankylosis.

Ankle Conditions (DC 5270, 5271) Rated by limitation of motion or ankylosis of the ankle joint. Frequently claimed as secondary to knee conditions. Ratings range from 10% to 40%.

Degenerative Arthritis (DC 5003) When X-ray evidence confirms arthritis in a major joint with at least some limitation of motion, the VA assigns a minimum 10% rating per major joint or 20% for two or more major joints. Commonly claimed alongside other musculoskeletal codes.

Mental Health Conditions

Mental health claims are the fastest-growing category in the VA system. All primary mental health conditions are rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders at 38 CFR 4.130. Ratings run from 0% to 100% based on the degree of social and occupational impairment.

PTSD (DC 9411) One of the most claimed VA disabilities. Rated at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100% based on symptom severity and functional impairment. Many veterans with PTSD also have secondary conditions including sleep apnea, depression, and hypertension that are separately ratable.

Major Depressive Disorder (DC 9434) Rated under the same General Formula as PTSD. Can be claimed as primary or as secondary to physical conditions including chronic pain, sleep apnea, and tinnitus.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (DC 9400) Also rated under the General Formula. Frequently claimed alongside PTSD and often develops as a secondary condition to tinnitus, chronic pain, and physical disability.

Adjustment Disorder (DC 9440) Rated under the General Formula. Sometimes underrated because it can appear less severe on paper than PTSD or MDD. Functional impact documentation is critical.

Ear and Hearing Conditions

Tinnitus (DC 6260) The most claimed VA disability in the country. More than 2.3 million veterans have it service-connected. Rated at a flat 10% regardless of severity. The real value is in secondary conditions connected through tinnitus. Full guide: VA disability rating for tinnitus

Hearing Loss (DC 6100) Rated based on audiometric testing results including puretone averages and Maryland CNC speech discrimination scores. Ratings range from 0% to 100%. Filed separately from tinnitus. Veterans with both conditions should claim both.

Respiratory Conditions

Sleep Apnea (DC 6847) Rated at 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%. A prescribed CPAP machine triggers the 50% rating worth $1,132.90 per month in 2026. One of the highest-value single conditions in the VA system. Frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD. Full guide: VA disability rating for sleep apnea

Asthma (DC 6602) Rated from 10% to 100% based on medication requirements and frequency of attacks requiring treatment. Veterans requiring daily bronchodilators generally qualify for a 30% minimum rating.

Rhinitis and Sinusitis (DC 6510, 6513) Rated from 0% to 50% based on frequency of incapacitating episodes. Often connected to sleep apnea through the upper airway breathing pathway.

Cardiovascular Conditions

Hypertension (DC 7101) Affects an estimated 45% of veterans. Rated from 10% to 60% based on diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings and medication requirements. Frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD and sleep apnea.

Ischemic Heart Disease (DC 7005) Rated from 10% to 100% based on exercise tolerance and cardiac function. A presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Growing as a recognized condition for burn pit exposure veterans under the PACT Act.

Peripheral Artery Disease (DC 7114) Rated up to 100% in severe cases. Often connected to diabetes and Agent Orange exposure.

Neurological Conditions

Migraines (DC 8100) Rated from 0% to 50% based on frequency of prostrating attacks. A prostrating attack is one that forces you to lie down and stop normal activity. Frequently claimed as secondary to PTSD, TBI, and tinnitus.

Traumatic Brain Injury (DC 8045) Rated using a complex formula based on three cognitive, behavioral, and physical facets. TBI is also a gateway to secondary claims for headaches, memory problems, and emotional regulation disorders.

Peripheral Neuropathy (DC 8510-8730) Rated by the severity of nerve damage in individual nerves or nerve groups. Frequently secondary to diabetes, back conditions, and toxic exposures.

Radiculopathy / Sciatica One of the most valuable secondary conditions. When a service-connected back condition compresses nerves and causes radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs, radiculopathy is rated separately under peripheral nerve codes from 10% to 80% per extremity.

Other Common Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus Type II (DC 7913) A presumptive condition for Agent Orange-exposed veterans. Rated from 10% to 100% based on insulin requirements, diet control, and functional limitations. Frequently generates secondary conditions including neuropathy, hypertension, and kidney disease.

GERD and Digestive Conditions (DC 7346) Hiatal hernia and GERD rated from 10% to 60% based on symptoms and severity. Often connected to PTSD and chronic stress.

Erectile Dysfunction (DC 7522) Rated at a flat 0% with a Special Monthly Compensation K (SMC-K) award of $131.54 per month in 2026. Frequently secondary to diabetes, lumbar spine nerve damage, and PTSD medications.

Skin Conditions (DC 7800-7833) Scars and skin conditions rated by location, area affected, and functional limitation. Burn scars from service-connected injuries can qualify for significant ratings.

Secondary Conditions

Every condition on this page can potentially be connected to another condition through secondary service connection under 38 CFR 3.310. If you have a service-connected condition that caused or aggravated a new condition, that new condition may qualify for its own rating without requiring a separate connection to military service.

Common secondary connection chains:

PTSD causes or aggravates sleep apnea, hypertension, depression, and GERD
Knee conditions cause or aggravate hip conditions, ankle conditions, and lumbar spine strain
Tinnitus causes or aggravates sleep disorders, anxiety, and migraines
Diabetes causes or aggravates peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and kidney conditions
Back conditions cause or aggravate radiculopathy and hip conditions

Most veterans with multiple conditions have secondary claims they have never filed.

Is Your Condition on Your Claim?

A VA-accredited attorney can review your complete service record and medical history at no cost. They identify conditions you may have missed and secondary connections that could significantly increase your combined rating.

Get a free conditions review from a VA-accredited attorney. No upfront cost. No fee unless you win.

PTSD Guide →

Mental disorder formula and tier breakdown.

Sleep Apnea Guide →

CPAP = 50%. Secondary to PTSD nexus.

Back Pain Guide →

Spine ROM rating and radiculopathy add-ons.

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This calculator provides estimates based on the official VA whole-person combined rating method and 2026 VA compensation rate tables. Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual VA ratings and compensation amounts are determined solely by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.