EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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ADHD (Aggravated by Service)
✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.130 (Mental disorders) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team
ADHD (Aggravated by Service) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9440 of 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9440 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 50%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.
OVERVIEW
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Pre-existing ADHD may be service-connected if aggravated beyond natural progression during military service, or if symptoms worsened due to TBI, PTSD, or other service-connected conditions.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
0%
ADHD present but no aggravation beyond natural progression demonstrated.
10%
Occupational and social impairment due to mild aggravation of ADHD symptoms above pre-service baseline.
30%
Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency due to service-aggravated inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.
50%
Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to significant worsening of executive function deficits from TBI or service-connected conditions.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.130 (Mental disorders). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026