VA Condition Library

Adjustment disorder is a real mental health diagnosis with a real VA rating.

Limitation of motion of the ankle is a musculoskeletal disability where the ankle joint cannot move through its normal range.

Respiratory conditions rated by the VA include asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), constrictive or obliterative bronchiolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, and others.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria).

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves -- the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that carry signals to the arms, legs, hands, and feet.

Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition marked by episodes of mania or hypomania alternating with episodes of depression.

VA-rated bladder and urinary conditions include chronic cystitis, bladder dysfunction, urinary incontinence, neurogenic bladder, urinary frequency, urinary retention, urethral fistula, bladder calculi (stones), and bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is a malignancy that originates in the cells lining the bladder wall.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compression injury to the median nerve where it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist.

Cervical strain is an injury to the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue of the neck.

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by gallstones blocking the bile ducts.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME-CFS, is a serious, long-term illness that causes debilitating fatigue that does not improve with rest.

CKD is rated by VA based on kidney function levels (BUN, creatinine, albumin). Often secondary to hypertension or diabetes, both common service-connected conditions.

Cold injury residuals are the lasting physical effects of frostbite, immersion foot (trench foot), or other cold-weather injuries sustained during military service.

Degenerative arthritis of the spine is the breakdown of cartilage, disc material, and bone structure in the vertebral column over time.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively, causing elevated blood glucose over time.

Elbow limitation of motion is exactly what it sounds like: a measurable restriction in how far you can bend, straighten, or rotate your elbow.

Erectile dysfunction is the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition defined by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a diagnosed mental health condition characterized by persistent, excessive worry that is difficult to control and disrupts daily life.

GERD is ratable under DC 7346 based on pain, vomiting, weight loss, and arm-level symptoms. One of the most common secondary claims, frequently linked to medications and PTSD.

VA presumes service connection for chronic unexplained symptoms after Southwest Asia deployment. You do not need a specific diagnosis to file under 38 CFR 3.317.

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent damage to the hair cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve, reducing your ability to detect sound and understand speech.

VA rates hemorrhoids under DC 7336 based on severity -- from mild to persistent bleeding with secondary anemia. Often secondary to medications or chronic conditions.

Hepatitis C is ratable based on liver damage, fatigue, and treatment side effects. Veterans with blood exposure risk factors during service should file for service connection.

Hip limitation of motion means the hip joint does not move through its full normal range.

Hodgkin's disease (also called Hodgkin lymphoma) is a cancer of the lymphatic system characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells — abnormal giant cells derived from B-lymphocytes.

Hypertension means your blood pressure is consistently elevated above healthy levels.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs.

Intervertebral disc syndrome is a spinal condition caused by one or more herniated, bulging, or degenerated discs that press on nerve roots or the spinal cord.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain linked to defecation, along with changes in stool frequency or consistency.

Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease, is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, reducing oxygen delivery to the heart muscle.

VA rates the inability to fully straighten the knee under DC 5261. This is one of the most commonly missed separate ratings -- many veterans are rated for flexion only.

VA rates limited knee bending under DC 5260 based on degrees of flexion lost. Patellofemoral syndrome is commonly rated here. Separately ratable from extension and instability.

Knee instability occurs when the knee joint gives way, buckles, or fails to provide reliable support during walking, pivoting, or weight-bearing.

The menisci are two C-shaped cartilage structures in the knee — the medial meniscus on the inner side and the lateral meniscus on the outer side — that act as shock absorbers, distribute load, and stabilize the joint.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white blood cells.

Shoulder limitation of motion refers to a documented reduction in range of motion at the shoulder joint, typically resulting from rotator cuff injuries, tears, tendinitis, bursitis, impingement syndrome, or post-surgical changes.

Lumbosacral strain is chronic pain, stiffness, and functional limitation in the lower back caused by injury or overuse of the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue supporting the lumbar and sacral spine.

Lung cancer is presumptively service-connected for veterans exposed to Agent Orange, certain toxins, or covered under the PACT Act. Active cancer receives a 100% rating.

Major depressive disorder is a clinical diagnosis characterized by persistent depressed mood, loss of interest in activities that once mattered, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and in severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide.

Meniere's disease, also called endolymphatic hydrops, is a disorder of the inner ear involving an abnormal buildup of fluid in the endolymphatic system.

VA rates migraines under DC 8100 based on frequency and severity of prostrating attacks. One of the highest-rated single conditions when properly documented.

Military sexual trauma is what VA calls sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells — the white blood cells in bone marrow that produce antibodies.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system that begins in lymphocytes — the white blood cells that make up much of the immune system.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing the veteran to stop breathing dozens to hundreds of times per night.

If you deployed after August 2, 1990 and spent time near open burn pits, you breathed in a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals, and particulates that no filter was designed to handle.

Panic disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks — sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and produce physical symptoms including racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, trembling, numbness or tingling, feelings of unreality (derealization), and fear of dying or losing control.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that attacks the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, causing tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and balance problems.

Patellofemoral syndrome (kneecap pain) has no single VA code. It is rated under DC 5260 for limited flexion, DC 5257 for patellar instability, or both -- depending on your symptoms.

PAD occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries supplying your arms, legs, and feet, reducing circulation to those extremities.

Pes planus is the medical term for flat feet, a condition where the arch of the foot partially or completely collapses so that the sole makes full or near-full contact with the ground.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel bone to your toes.

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor of the prostate gland, which sits below the bladder in men and produces seminal fluid.

PTSD is a psychiatric condition that develops after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in your neck is compressed, inflamed, or irritated, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Lumbar radiculopathy happens when a nerve root in your lower spine gets compressed, irritated, or inflamed.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the synovial lining of the joints, causing inflammation, pain, swelling, and progressive joint destruction.

Chronic nasal and sinus conditions are ratable by VA based on polyp presence, crusting, and incapacitating episodes. Commonly linked to burn pit and dust exposure during deployment.

VA rates scars separately from the underlying injury. Painful, unstable, or disfiguring scars each carry their own rating and can stack with other ratings from the same event.

Sciatic nerve damage causes radiating pain, numbness, or weakness from the lower back down to the foot. VA rates it under peripheral nerve codes based on severity of incomplete or complete paralysis.

Insomnia and non-apnea sleep disorders are separately ratable VA conditions, often secondary to PTSD, chronic pain, or TBI. Most veterans never file for them.

Soft-tissue sarcomas are a diverse group of malignant tumors that arise from the connective tissues of the body — muscle, fat, tendons, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and joint tissue.

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking sound in one or both ears with no external source.

A traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden external force disrupts normal brain function.

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that develop when the valves inside the veins weaken or fail, allowing blood to pool and pressure to build in the vessel walls.

Eye conditions in VA claims cover a wide range of service-connected problems: traumatic injuries to the eye from combat or accidents, exposure-related damage such as laser injury or UV exposure without proper protection, corneal scarring, retinal damage, glaucoma, cataracts that developed or accelerated due to service, and vision loss secondary to a traumatic brain injury.

Wrist limitation of motion is a measurable restriction in the range of movement at the wrist joint.