Disability Ratings by Condition

A library of VA disability rating guides — plain-English breakdowns of the criteria, evidence, and secondary conditions for 30+ common claims.

Each condition page summarizes the rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4, lists the evidence VA looks for, and flags secondary conditions you may also be entitled to.

Body systems

139

Conditions

139

Detailed guides

38 CFR

Source

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Each condition also has a rating-percentage guide with the 2026 compensation amounts and a combined-rating calculator.

Browse VA rating guides by condition →

★ Pain Can Be Ratable — Even Without a Diagnosis

How VA Rates Pain (Saunders v. Wilkie)

Under Saunders v. Wilkie (Fed. Cir. 2018), pain alone — without a clear underlying diagnosis — can qualify as a service-connected "disability" if it causes functional impairment of earning capacity. You don't always need a named condition; you need evidence the pain limits what your body can do.

Pain is generally rated analogously under 38 CFR § 4.20 and § 4.27 — VA picks the closest listed diagnostic code for the affected body part (e.g., a painful knee with no diagnosis may be rated under the knee codes; painful scars under § 4.118 DC 7804). For musculoskeletal pain, § 4.40, § 4.45, and the DeLuca factors require VA to consider pain on motion, weakness, fatigability, and flare-ups.

What this means for your claim: document where it hurts, when, what triggers flare-ups, and what you can no longer do (lifting, standing, sleeping, working). Range-of-motion measurements, functional loss statements, and consistent treatment notes are the strongest evidence.

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Mental Health

Conditions rated under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130).

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Musculoskeletal

Spine, joint, and limitation-of-motion ratings under 38 CFR § 4.71a.

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Auditory

Hearing and ear conditions rated under 38 CFR §§ 4.85–4.87.

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Respiratory

Sleep, breathing, and PACT Act respiratory conditions under 38 CFR § 4.97.

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Cardiovascular

Heart and vascular conditions rated under 38 CFR § 4.104.

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Neurological

Headache, TBI, and peripheral nerve conditions under 38 CFR §§ 4.124a / 4.130.

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Endocrine

Diabetes and thyroid conditions under 38 CFR § 4.119.

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Digestive

GI conditions rated under 38 CFR § 4.114.

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Genitourinary & Reproductive

Kidney, bladder, and reproductive conditions under 38 CFR § 4.115a/b.

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Skin & Multi-System

Skin, dental, and Gulf War / PACT Act multi-system conditions.

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Vision & Eye

Visual impairment and eye conditions rated under 38 CFR § 4.79.

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Cancers & PACT Act Presumptives

Cancers and other conditions presumed service-connected under PACT Act and Agent Orange rules.

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Gulf War Infectious Diseases (§ 3.317(c))

Listed infectious diseases presumed service-connected for veterans of qualifying Southwest Asia or Afghanistan service under 38 CFR § 3.317(c). Manifested to a compensable degree (10%+) within the regulatory timeframe.

Don't see your condition?

The library covers the most common claims, but VA recognizes hundreds of conditions. Schedule a free consultation and we'll review your specific situation.

Educational content only — not legal advice and not medical advice. Rating criteria summarized from 38 CFR Part 4; consult VA.gov or the current Code of Federal Regulations for official criteria. Outcomes depend on each veteran's individual facts and evidence; no specific rating or result is guaranteed. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs.