What happens during a C&P exam for Soft Tissue Sarcoma (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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Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive)?

Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive) (DC 5329) is rated at 100% under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5329. Per § 4.73 DC 5329 verbatim: "Sarcoma, soft tissue (of muscle, fat, or fibrous connective tissue) — 100." Per the verbatim Note: "A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgery, radiation treatment, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residual impairment of function."

Q: What rates 100% for Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive) under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5329?

Under 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5329 (DC 5329), a 100% rating for Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive) requires: Per § 4.73 DC 5329 verbatim: "Sarcoma, soft tissue (of muscle, fat, or fibrous connective tissue) — 100." Per the verbatim Note: "A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgery, radiation treatment, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residual impairment of function."

Q: What evidence do I need for a Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Soft Tissue Sarcoma (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 5329 | 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5329 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.73 (Muscle injuries) · reviewed 2026-05-27 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Agent Orange Presumptive) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5329 of 38 CFR § 4.73, DC 5329 across 1 severity tier (100%). 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

Malignant tumors arising from soft tissues (muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, nerves). Presumptive for Agent Orange-exposed veterans. Includes many subtypes. Rated 100% during active disease.

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

100%

Per § 4.73 DC 5329 verbatim: "Sarcoma, soft tissue (of muscle, fat, or fibrous connective tissue) — 100." Per the verbatim Note: "A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgery, radiation treatment, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residual impairment of function."

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. § 4.73 (Muscle injuries). 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 § 4.73 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.
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