Essential VA Diagnostic Codes Every Veteran Should Know
The VA uses a system of diagnostic codes (also called DC codes) to categorize and rate service-connected disabilities. There are over 720 diagnostic codes in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), covering everything from hearing loss to PTSD to musculoskeletal injuries.
You don't need to memorize all 720 codes, but understanding the most common ones - and how they work - can help you file stronger claims and know what to expect during the rating process.
This guide covers the essential VA diagnostic codes every veteran should know, organized by body system and condition type.
How VA Diagnostic Codes Work
Each diagnostic code has a four-digit number (like 5003 or 9411) and corresponds to a specific condition or disability. The code determines:
- How the condition is rated (based on specific criteria)
- What medical evidence the VA requires
- What rating percentages are possible (some codes only go up to 10%, others can reach 100%)
- How the VA evaluates functional impairment
Understanding your diagnostic code helps you know what the VA is looking for and what rating levels are achievable for your condition.
Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions are some of the most commonly claimed disabilities among veterans, particularly for those who served in combat zones.
9411 - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
PTSD is rated based on the frequency and severity of symptoms like panic attacks, difficulty with social interactions, memory problems, depression, and impaired work performance. A 70% rating reflects chronic, debilitating symptoms that significantly impact daily life and relationships.
9434 - Major Depressive Disorder
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Depression is rated using the same criteria as PTSD (General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders). Ratings are based on occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms like persistent sadness, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and loss of interest in activities.
9440 - Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Anxiety disorders are rated based on symptoms like panic attacks, chronic worry, avoidance behavior, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms (rapid heartbeat, sweating). Higher ratings require evidence of significant occupational and social impairment.
Key Point: All mental health conditions rated under the General Rating Formula use the same criteria. The VA focuses on how symptoms impact your ability to work and maintain relationships, not just the diagnosis itself.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Injuries to joints, bones, and muscles are extremely common among veterans due to the physical demands of military service.
5003 - Degenerative Arthritis
Ratings: 10%, 20% (per major joint or group of minor joints)
Arthritis is rated based on the number of major joints affected (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle) or groups of minor joints (fingers, toes). Each major joint or group can be rated separately. X-ray evidence of arthritis is required.
5237 - Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain (Back/Neck)
Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 100%
Back and neck conditions are rated based on range of motion and functional impairment. The VA measures how far you can bend forward, backward, and side-to-side. Flare-ups, pain with use, and functional loss increase the rating. Intervertebral disc syndrome (herniated discs) may qualify for higher ratings.
5257 - Knee Conditions (including meniscus tears, ligament damage)
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%
Knee injuries are rated based on instability, pain, swelling, and limitation of motion. Evidence of meniscal tears, ligament damage, or recurring subluxation increases ratings. Knee replacement surgery automatically qualifies for at least 30% (60% for one year following surgery).
5284 - Foot Conditions (Pes Planus/Flat Feet)
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%
Flat feet are rated based on whether the condition is bilateral (both feet), whether it's severe or moderate, and whether it causes pain and functional limitation. You need objective evidence like X-rays and a weight-bearing exam showing collapsed arches.
Hearing and Ear Conditions
6260 - Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
Ratings: 10% (flat rate)
Tinnitus is rated at a flat 10%, regardless of severity. You cannot get higher than 10% for tinnitus alone. Diagnosis requires an audiologist to confirm the presence of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds in the ears. Tinnitus is one of the most commonly claimed VA disabilities.
6100 - Hearing Loss
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Hearing loss is rated using a complex formula based on audiogram test results. The VA measures both your ability to hear tones (puretone threshold) and your ability to understand speech (speech discrimination). Bilateral hearing loss (both ears) is more commonly rated than unilateral loss.
Search the Complete VA Diagnostic Code Library
Looking for a specific diagnostic code? Search our library of 720+ codes to find detailed rating criteria, medical evidence requirements, and compensation rates for any condition.
Search Diagnostic Codes →Respiratory Conditions
6847 - Sleep Apnea
Ratings: 0%, 30%, 50%, 100%
Sleep apnea is rated based on whether you require a CPAP machine or other breathing assistance device. A 50% rating requires use of a breathing assistance device like a CPAP. Sleep apnea is often claimed as a secondary condition to PTSD, obesity, or other service-connected disabilities.
6602 - Asthma
Ratings: 10%, 30%, 60%, 100%
Asthma is rated based on severity, frequency of attacks, and lung function test results (FEV-1). Ratings consider how often you need medication, whether you've been hospitalized, and whether the condition requires daily use of systemic corticosteroids.
Skin Conditions
7806 - Dermatitis (including eczema, psoriasis)
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%, 60%
Skin conditions are rated based on the percentage of body surface area affected and the severity of symptoms. Ratings consider whether the condition is disfiguring, requires ongoing treatment, or affects exposed areas like the face and hands.
Digestive Conditions
7319 - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%
IBS is rated based on the frequency and severity of symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and distention. A 30% rating requires severe symptoms with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance and abdominal distress.
7346 - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Ratings: 10%, 30%, 60%
GERD is rated based on symptoms like persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation. Higher ratings require evidence of esophagitis, stricture, or Barrett's esophagus on endoscopy. GERD is often claimed as a secondary condition to medications or other disabilities.
Neurological Conditions
8045 - Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 40%, 70%, 100%
TBI is rated based on ten specific areas of functioning: memory, attention, executive function, judgment, social interaction, orientation, motor activity, visual-spatial perception, subjective symptoms, and neurobehavioral effects. Ratings are complex and consider the combined impact across all areas.
8520 - Migraine Headaches
Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%
Migraines are rated based on the frequency of "prostrating attacks" (severe headaches that require bed rest and prevent all activity). A 50% rating requires very frequent completely prostrating attacks. Documentation of frequency and severity is critical.
Understanding Secondary Conditions
Many veterans don't realize they can claim secondary conditions - disabilities caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions. Secondary conditions use the same diagnostic codes but are filed differently.
Common examples:
- Sleep apnea secondary to PTSD: Mental health conditions can contribute to sleep disorders
- Hip/back pain secondary to knee injury: Favoring one leg due to knee pain can cause hip and back issues
- Depression secondary to chronic pain: Living with constant pain often leads to mental health conditions
- GERD secondary to medications: Many VA medications cause stomach issues as side effects
To file for a secondary condition, you need medical evidence (usually a doctor's opinion) linking the secondary condition to your service-connected disability.
Calculate Your Combined Rating
If you have multiple service-connected conditions, use our free VA rating calculator to estimate your combined disability rating and monthly compensation.
Try the Calculator →Tips for Using Diagnostic Codes
- Know your code: When filing a claim, reference the specific diagnostic code if you know it. This helps the VA understand exactly what you're claiming.
- Review the criteria: Look up your diagnostic code to see what evidence the VA needs and what rating levels are possible.
- Don't self-diagnose: You need an official diagnosis from a medical professional. Diagnostic codes help you understand the process, but they don't replace medical evidence.
- Claim everything: If you have multiple conditions, file for all of them. Each condition is rated separately using its own diagnostic code.
- Ask your VSO: If you're unsure which diagnostic code applies to your condition, a Veterans Service Officer can help you identify the right one.
Final Thoughts
VA diagnostic codes might seem like bureaucratic jargon, but they're the foundation of the entire rating system. Understanding the codes for your conditions helps you know what to expect, what evidence to gather, and what ratings are achievable.
You don't need to become an expert on all 720 codes - just focus on the ones relevant to your service-connected conditions. Use free resources like diagnostic code libraries and VSOs to make sure you're claiming the right conditions and providing the right evidence.
Knowledge is power when it comes to VA claims. The more you understand about how your conditions are rated, the better prepared you'll be to fight for the benefits you've earned.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Always consult official VA resources and a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for guidance specific to your situation.