The 38 CFR rating schedule is the official rulebook the VA uses to assign disability ratings. Found in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4, it contains a diagnostic code (DC) and rating criteria for every condition. This 2026 guide walks through how the schedule is organized and how to read it.
What is 38 CFR Part 4?
38 CFR Part 4 is the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. It groups conditions by body system and assigns specific percentage ratings to each condition. Every disability rating decision cites a diagnostic code from this schedule.
How 38 CFR Part 4 is organized
The rating schedule is broken into subparts by body system. Each subpart covers related conditions.
- 4.71a — Musculoskeletal system (spine, knees, hips, shoulders).
- 4.85–4.87 — Hearing impairment and tinnitus.
- 4.88a–4.89 — Infectious diseases and immune disorders.
- 4.97 — Respiratory system (sleep apnea, asthma, COPD).
- 4.100–4.104 — Cardiovascular system (hypertension, heart disease).
- 4.110–4.114 — Digestive system.
- 4.115a–4.115b — Genitourinary system.
- 4.118 — Skin (scars, dermatitis).
- 4.119 — Endocrine (diabetes, thyroid).
- 4.120–4.124a — Neurological (migraines, seizures, peripheral neuropathy).
- 4.130 — Mental disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety).
- 4.150 — Dental and oral conditions.
How to read a diagnostic code
Each condition lists rating percentages from low to high. The criteria describe symptoms or measurements required for each level. The VA assigns the rating that best fits your worst symptom picture.
Example — Migraines (DC 8100):
- 0% — less frequent attacks.
- 10% — prostrating attacks averaging 1 every 2 months.
- 30% — prostrating attacks averaging once a month.
- 50% — very frequent prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
Key sections to know
- 4.16(a) — Schedular TDIU criteria.
- 4.16(b) — Extraschedular TDIU.
- 4.25 — Combined rating table (the “VA math”).
- 4.26 — Bilateral factor for paired limbs.
- 4.27 — Use of diagnostic code numbers.
- 4.59 — Painful motion principle.
Why 38 CFR matters in claims
VA decision letters cite specific 38 CFR sections. Knowing the rating criteria helps you:
- Spot when the rater used the wrong code.
- Identify symptoms that justify a higher rating.
- Build evidence that targets the next level.
- Argue for a separate rating instead of one combined rating.
How to look up 38 CFR Part 4
The full rating schedule lives at the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. It updates as the VA revises the schedule.