What are the VA rating percentages for Ageusia (Loss of Taste)?

Ageusia (Loss of Taste) (DC 6276) is rated at 10% under 38 CFR § 4.87a, DC 6276. Sense of taste, complete loss.

What rates 10% for Ageusia (Loss of Taste) under 38 CFR § 4.87a, DC 6276?

Under 38 CFR § 4.87a, DC 6276 (DC 6276), a 10% rating for Ageusia (Loss of Taste) requires: Sense of taste, complete loss.

What happens during a C&P exam for Ageusia (Loss of Taste)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Ageusia (Loss of Taste)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Ageusia (Loss of Taste) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Ageusia (Loss of Taste) claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 6276 | 38 CFR § 4.87a, DC 6276 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.87a (Other sense organs (smell and taste)) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Ageusia (Loss of Taste) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6276 of 38 CFR § 4.87a, DC 6276 across 1 severity tier (10%). 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

Complete loss of the sense of taste, often associated with anosmia, TBI, or medication side effects.

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

10%

Sense of taste, complete loss.

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.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.87a (Other sense organs (smell and taste)). 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.

→ View § 4.87a on eCFR → Cornell Law mirror → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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