Ratings VA has recently changed.
VA does not rate every condition the same way forever. When a part of the rating schedule (38 CFR Part 4) is rewritten, the criteria below change for new decisions. These are the conditions on this site that VA has updated, what changed, and how each is rated today.
The medication effects rule, rescinded
38 CFR 4.10On February 17, 2026, VA published an interim final rule that told raters to evaluate a disability as it presents with medication or treatment in place. After strong objections from veteran service organizations, VA halted enforcement and then formally rescinded the rule in a final rule published February 27, 2026, restoring the prior text of 38 CFR 4.10. No current decision may rely on the rescinded rule. If a February 2026 decision cited it against you, that can support a Higher-Level Review.
Digestive system
38 CFR 4.114VA rewrote the digestive system rating schedule effective May 19, 2024. Many conditions moved to new diagnostic codes and to episode based criteria. GERD is now rated under DC 7206, peptic ulcers under DC 7304, and codes like IBS, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and celiac disease all changed. The pages below show the current rules. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older schedule.
Crohn's Disease
Since May 19, 2024, Crohn's disease has its own diagnostic code, 7326, rated 10, 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the treatment tier required, daily diarrhea episodes, signs of systemic toxicity, and hospitalizations. VA requires the diagnosis to be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies, and after colectomy the rating can come from code 7326 or 7329, whichever is higher.
Ileostomy Residuals
Since May 19, 2024, an ileostomy or colostomy is rated under diagnostic code 7329 (resection of the large intestine) from 10 to 100 percent based on how much colon was removed, whether the ostomy is permanent, and whether high output syndrome and dehydration episodes are documented.
Liver Transplant Residuals
A liver transplant is rated under diagnostic code 7351 at 100 percent for an indefinite period from the date of hospital admission for the surgery. One year after discharge, a mandatory VA examination sets the ongoing rating, with a floor of 30 percent. A veteran who is eligible for and awaiting a transplant holds a minimum of 60 percent.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis keeps diagnostic code 7323, but since May 19, 2024 it is rated using the inflammatory bowel disease criteria at diagnostic code 7326: 10, 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the treatment required, daily diarrhea episodes, signs of systemic toxicity, and hospitalizations. Diagnosis must be confirmed by endoscopy or radiologic studies.
Endocrine conditions (including thyroid)
38 CFR 4.119VA changed how endocrine conditions are rated effective December 10, 2017. Most now carry a rating for a set period after diagnosis, after which the residuals are rated under the body system each affects, and several conditions moved to manifestation based instructions. The pages below show the current rules. Earlier ratings may be protected.
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is rated under diagnostic code 7909: 30 percent for the first three months after the initial diagnosis, and 10 percent afterward when there is persistent polyuria or the condition requires continuous hormonal therapy such as desmopressin. Ratings beyond that come from documenting residuals and complications under the body systems they affect.
Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome)
Hyperaldosteronism is rated under diagnostic code 7917, which has no percentage tiers of its own: VA evaluates it as a malignant or benign neoplasm, as appropriate. A malignant tumor rates 100 percent under diagnostic code 7914 during treatment; the far more common benign adenoma is rated on its residuals, chiefly hypertension under diagnostic code 7101 and any documented effects of low potassium.
Blood and hematologic conditions
38 CFR 4.117VA rewrote the hematologic rating schedule effective December 9, 2018. The old hemoglobin based anemia code was removed, each anemia type received its own diagnostic code, and the criteria now rate treatment burden such as infusions and transfusions rather than lab numbers alone. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Anemia
Anemia no longer has a single diagnostic code. VA removed the old hemoglobin based code 7700 in the December 9, 2018 hematologic revision. Each type of anemia now has its own criteria: iron deficiency anemia under diagnostic code 7720, pernicious and B12 deficiency anemia under 7722, folic acid deficiency under 7721, acquired hemolytic anemia under 7723, and aplastic anemia under 7716. Anemia caused by blood loss is rated under the condition causing the blood loss.
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia is rated under diagnostic code 7716 at 30, 60, or 100 percent based on the treatment the condition requires: how often transfusions are needed, how often infections recur, whether continuous immunosuppressive therapy is required, and whether a stem cell transplant was performed. Hemoglobin values no longer set the percentage under the criteria in force since December 9, 2018.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is rated under diagnostic code 7720 at 0, 10, or 30 percent based on the treatment required: 30 percent for intravenous iron infusions four or more times per year, 10 percent for at least one infusion per year or continuous oral iron supplementation, and 0 percent when asymptomatic or managed by diet alone. Iron deficiency caused by blood loss is rated under the condition causing the blood loss instead.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is rated under diagnostic code 7712: 100 percent for symptomatic disease and 0 percent for asymptomatic, smoldering, or indolent disease. The 100 percent rating continues for five years after the diagnosis of symptomatic multiple myeloma, followed by a mandatory VA examination; any reduction must follow the procedures of 38 CFR 3.105(e) and 3.344.
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia and B12 deficiency anemia are rated under diagnostic code 7722: 100 percent for the initial diagnosis period when transfusion is required or there are central nervous system signs such as neuropathy requiring parenteral B12, and 10 percent when the condition requires continuous B12 treatment by injection, sublingual or high dose oral tablets, or nasal spray. Lasting neurologic damage is rated separately under the nerve codes.
Skin conditions
38 CFR 4.118VA revised the skin rating schedule effective August 13, 2018. Ratings now turn on the percentage of the body affected and the level of treatment required, urticaria moved to a treatment ladder (first, second, and third line treatment), and the rules distinguish systemic therapy from topical therapy. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Chronic Urticaria
Chronic urticaria is rated under diagnostic code 7825 at 10, 30, or 60 percent based on the level of treatment required for control: 10 percent for first line treatment with antihistamines, 30 percent for second line treatment, and 60 percent for chronic refractory urticaria that requires third line treatment because first and second line treatments were ineffective.
Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is rated under diagnostic code 7815 (bullous disorders) using the General Rating Formula for the Skin, at 0 to 60 percent based on the body area affected and the systemic therapy required. Complications of mucosal involvement, such as ocular, oral, gastrointestinal, or respiratory disease, are rated separately under the affected body system.
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)
The skin manifestations of scleroderma are rated under diagnostic code 7821 (cutaneous manifestations of collagen vascular diseases) using the General Rating Formula for the Skin, at 0 to 60 percent based on the body area affected and the systemic therapy required. Internal organ involvement, such as lung, heart, kidney, or esophageal disease, is rated separately under the code for each affected system, and those ratings often carry the claim.
Gynecological conditions and breast disorders
38 CFR 4.116VA rewrote the rating schedule for gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast effective May 13, 2018. Benign breast conditions moved to the new diagnostic code 7631, which rates chronic residuals by impairment of function instead of a fixed percentage table, and new codes were added for malignant breast neoplasms and other breast disorders. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibrocystic breast disease has no percentage table of its own. Under the current schedule it falls under diagnostic code 7631 (benign neoplasms of the breast and other injuries of the breast), which directs VA to rate chronic residuals according to impairment of function: painful or unstable scars, lymphedema, disfigurement, or functional limits. With no separately ratable residual the rating is 0 percent, which still establishes service connection.
Gynecomastia (Male Breast Enlargement)
Gynecomastia has no diagnostic code of its own. Under the current schedule it is evaluated under diagnostic code 7631 (benign neoplasms of the breast and other injuries of the breast), which has no percentage table: VA rates chronic residuals by impairment of function, most often surgical scars after correction, with a painful scar rating 10 percent. Without a separately ratable residual the rating is 0 percent. It is most often claimed secondary to medications taken for a service connected condition.
Infectious diseases
38 CFR 4.88bVA revised the infectious disease rating schedule effective August 11, 2019. Most infectious diseases now use the General Rating Formula: 100 percent during active disease, then 0 percent for the infection itself once it resolves, with any residual disability rated under the body system it affects. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Brucellosis
Brucellosis is rated under diagnostic code 6316 using the General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases: 100 percent for active disease confirmed by culture or serologic testing, then 0 percent for the infection itself once it resolves, with any residual disability rated under the body system it affects, including meningitis, liver, spleen, and musculoskeletal conditions. Brucellosis is also on the Gulf War infectious disease presumptive list under 38 CFR 3.317(c).
Helminthiasis Residuals (Intestinal Parasites)
Intestinal helminthiasis (worm infection) has no percentage ladder of its own. It falls under diagnostic code 6320 (parasitic diseases otherwise not specified), which uses the General Rating Formula for Infectious Diseases: 100 percent during active disease, then 0 percent for the infection itself, with any lasting residual rated under the body system it affects, most often the bowel codes. Helminthiasis is presumptive for former prisoners of war.
Syphilis Residuals
Syphilis is rated under diagnostic code 6310, which has no percentage table. It routes each residual to the body system it affects: syphilitic heart disease under diagnostic code 7004, cerebrospinal syphilis under 8013, meningovascular syphilis under 8014, tabes dorsalis under 8015, and dementia associated with neurosyphilis under 9301. A cured or latent infection with no residuals rates 0 percent, which still establishes service connection.
Musculoskeletal conditions
38 CFR 4.71aVA revised the musculoskeletal rating schedule effective February 7, 2021. Gout is no longer rated on the active process ladder (the rewritten multi joint arthritis code explicitly excludes it) and is instead rated as degenerative arthritis on limitation of motion, several diagnostic codes were retitled or removed, and new criteria were added for conditions such as shin splints. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Gout
Since February 7, 2021, gout under diagnostic code 5017 is rated as degenerative arthritis based on limitation of motion of the affected joints. The old ladder that paid 20 to 100 percent for incapacitating exacerbations no longer applies to gout; the current multi joint arthritis code, 5002, explicitly excludes it. Each affected joint is rated on its own motion and painful motion evidence.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis residuals are rated under diagnostic code 5013 as degenerative arthritis, based on limitation of motion of the affected parts. There is no severity ladder for the bone density itself: a fragility or compression fracture is rated under the code for what it broke, most often the spine formula for vertebral compression fractures, and painful or limited motion drives the percentage.
Cardiovascular and vascular conditions
38 CFR 4.104VA revised the cardiovascular and vascular rating criteria effective November 14, 2021. Peripheral arterial disease moved from claudication walking distance to objective measurements such as the ankle/brachial index, ankle and toe pressures, and transcutaneous oxygen tension. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Genitourinary conditions (kidney and urinary)
38 CFR 4.115aVA revised the genitourinary rating schedule effective November 14, 2021. Renal dysfunction is now rated on sustained glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ranges instead of albuminuria, BUN, and creatinine findings, and the urinary tract infection criteria gained a 0 percent tier with suppressive therapy durations. Veterans rated before this date may hold a protected rating under the older criteria.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
BPH is rated under diagnostic code 7527 as voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection, whichever is predominant. Urinary frequency rates 10 to 40 percent by voiding interval, obstructed voiding rates up to 30 percent for retention requiring catheterization, and urine leakage requiring absorbent materials rates 20 to 60 percent by daily pad changes.
Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
Blood in the urine (hematuria) is a sign, not a standalone ratable disability: VA rates the diagnosed condition that causes it. Recurrent kidney stones rate 30 percent under DC 7508 when they require diet therapy, drug therapy, or more than two procedures per year. Bladder and urethral conditions rate as voiding dysfunction under 38 CFR 4.115a, up to 60 percent for severe leakage requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day. Kidney disease rates on the renal dysfunction criteria, up to 100 percent. Bladder, ureter, kidney, and related genitourinary cancers rate 100 percent under DC 7528 during active disease and treatment, and several are presumptive for toxic exposure veterans under 38 CFR 3.320.
Chronic Cystitis
Chronic cystitis, including interstitial cystitis, is rated under diagnostic code 7512 as voiding dysfunction: urinary frequency rates 10 percent for a daytime interval of 2 to 3 hours or waking twice a night, 20 percent for an interval of 1 to 2 hours or waking 3 to 4 times, and 40 percent for an interval under 1 hour or waking 5 or more times. Urine leakage requiring absorbent materials rates 20 to 60 percent by the number of daily pad changes.
Chronic Epididymitis or Orchitis
Chronic epididymitis or orchitis is rated under diagnostic code 7525 as urinary tract infection: 0 percent for suppressive therapy under 6 months, 10 percent for 1 to 2 hospitalizations per year or suppressive therapy of 6 months or longer, and 30 percent for infection requiring drainage, more than 2 hospitalizations per year, or continuous intensive management. Tubercular infections rate under the infectious disease provisions instead.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is rated under the renal dysfunction criteria of 38 CFR 4.115a, which since November 14, 2021 are based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) sustained for at least 3 consecutive months in the past year: 30 percent for GFR 45 to 59, 60 percent for 30 to 44, 80 percent for 15 to 29, and 100 percent for GFR under 15, regular dialysis, or being an eligible kidney transplant recipient. GFR of 60 to 89 with markers such as casts, structural abnormality, or an albumin to creatinine ratio of 30 or more rates 0 percent.
Chronic Nephritis (Glomerulonephritis)
Chronic nephritis is rated under diagnostic code 7502 as renal dysfunction, which since November 14, 2021 is based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) sustained for at least 3 consecutive months in the past year, from 0 percent (GFR 60 to 89 with markers such as casts or protein) up to 100 percent for GFR under 15, regular dialysis, or transplant eligibility.
Kidney Transplant Residuals
A kidney transplant is rated under diagnostic code 7531 at 100 percent from the date of hospital admission for the surgery, continuing until a mandatory VA examination one year after discharge. After that, residuals are rated as renal dysfunction on sustained GFR ranges, with a floor of 30 percent.
Prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is rated under diagnostic code 7527 as voiding dysfunction or urinary tract infection, whichever is predominant. Under the UTI criteria, suppressive drug therapy under 6 months rates 0 percent, 1 to 2 hospitalizations per year or suppressive therapy of 6 months or longer rates 10 percent, and infection requiring drainage by stent or nephrostomy tube, more than 2 hospitalizations per year, or continuous intensive management rates 30 percent.
Varicocele
Varicocele is rated by analogy to chronic epididymo-orchitis under diagnostic code 7525, which rates as urinary tract infection: 0 percent for suppressive therapy under 6 months, 10 percent for 1 to 2 hospitalizations per year or suppressive therapy of 6 months or longer, and 30 percent for infection requiring drainage, more than 2 hospitalizations per year, or continuous intensive management. Painful residuals and any surgical scars can be rated separately.
Know the moment VA changes a rating
We watch the rating schedule (38 CFR Part 4) and the Federal Register every week. When VA rewrites the rules for a condition, we explain what changed in plain English. Get those updates in your inbox.
When VA rewrites a part of the rating schedule, the new criteria apply to claims decided after the effective date. A veteran already receiving a rating under the prior rules generally keeps it, and VA can reduce it only in limited circumstances. The figures here reflect the current rules.