What happens during a C&P exam for Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive)?

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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Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive)?

Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) (DC 8004) is rated at 30% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8004. Per § 4.124a DC 8004 verbatim: "Minimum rating" = 30%. Per the § 4.124a Note (preamble): "It will be noted that the diseases of the central nervous system, when manifest by chronic effects, are habitually accompanied by distressing symptoms which may render the impairment greater. The diseases of this group will be evaluated in proportion to the impairment of motor, sensory or mental function." Sequelae and downstream disability classes (tremor, motor impairment, cognitive impairment, mood disorder, autonomic dysfunction) rate SEPARATELY under their specific DCs and combine per § 4.25.

Q: What rates 30% for Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8004?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8004 (DC 8004), a 30% rating for Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) requires: Per § 4.124a DC 8004 verbatim: "Minimum rating" = 30%. Per the § 4.124a Note (preamble): "It will be noted that the diseases of the central nervous system, when manifest by chronic effects, are habitually accompanied by distressing symptoms which may render the impairment greater. The diseases of this group will be evaluated in proportion to the impairment of motor, sensory or mental function." Sequelae and downstream disability classes (tremor, motor impairment, cognitive impairment, mood disorder, autonomic dysfunction) rate SEPARATELY under their specific DCs and combine per § 4.25.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) 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 8004 | 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8004 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders) · reviewed 2026-05-27 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Parkinson's Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8004 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8004 across 1 severity tier (30%). 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

Progressive neurological disorder affecting movement. Presumptive for Agent Orange-exposed veterans. Causes tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. Requires minimum 30% rating under the schedule.

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

30%

Per § 4.124a DC 8004 verbatim: "Minimum rating" = 30%. Per the § 4.124a Note (preamble): "It will be noted that the diseases of the central nervous system, when manifest by chronic effects, are habitually accompanied by distressing symptoms which may render the impairment greater. The diseases of this group will be evaluated in proportion to the impairment of motor, sensory or mental function." Sequelae and downstream disability classes (tremor, motor impairment, cognitive impairment, mood disorder, autonomic dysfunction) rate SEPARATELY under their specific DCs and combine per § 4.25.

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. § 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.124a 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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