What happens during a C&P exam for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy)?

Bring all relevant medical records and a written list of symptoms. Report your worst days, not your best. The VA rates based on overall impairment.

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Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy)

Q: What rates 100% for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%) (DC 8002), a 100% rating for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) requires: Per § 4.124a DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant) verbatim = 100%. Active malignancy diagnosis + during all surgical / chemotherapeutic / radiation / targeted-therapy treatment. Per the explicit Note, the 100% rating continues for 2 YEARS following cessation of treatment (not the 6-month rule that applies to most other malignancies). Any reduction from 100% requires § 3.105(e) due-process notice + 60-day opportunity to respond.

Q: What rates 60% for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%) (DC 8002), a 60% rating for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) requires: Severe neurological residuals post-2-year continuation period — combined per § 4.25 from separately-rated components: significant motor deficit (hemiparesis under DC 8009-8013 by analogy), cognitive impairment (DC 8045 TBI residuals framework), seizure disorder (DC 8910/8911 by frequency), cranial-nerve deficits, severe cognitive dysfunction with prostrating headaches. Most cases with significant residuals reach this tier.

Q: What rates 30% for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%) (DC 8002), a 30% rating for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) requires: Per § 4.124a DC 8002 verbatim "Minimum rating" = 30%. This is the floor after the 2-year continuation period if any residuals persist. Captures patients with minimal motor / cognitive / seizure residuals.

Q: What rates 10% for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%) (DC 8002), a 10% rating for Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) requires: NOT a DC 8002 tier — but possible if residuals are essentially absent after 2-year continuation, by rating ONLY under specific residual DCs (e.g., DC 8045 TBI mild residuals = 10% per facet evaluation; or specific cranial-nerve mild paralysis 10% each). This requires explicit demonstration of stable, minimal residuals — burden is on rater to justify dropping below the DC 8002 30% minimum.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) claim includes: Service treatment records; Current medical diagnosis and treatment records; Buddy/lay statements; Prescription history; Employment impact documentation. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 800238 C.F.R. § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%)

Diagnostic Code

DC 8002

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%)

Rating Range

10–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Brain Cancer (Malignant Brain Tumor / Primary CNS Malignancy) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8002 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant — 100% during treatment + 2 years post-cessation per explicit Note; then rate residuals minimum 30%) across 4 severity tiers (100% / 60% / 30% / 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Malignant new growth of the brain. Includes primary CNS malignancies (glioblastoma multiforme, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, medulloblastoma) and metastatic brain disease from other primary cancers. Veterans with documented in-service exposure to Agent Orange (presumptive per § 3.309), ionizing radiation (presumptive), Camp Lejeune contaminated water (presumptive), or Gulf War burn pits / PACT Act qualifying exposures may have a presumptive service-connection pathway.

Rating Criteria

100%

Per § 4.124a DC 8002 (Brain, new growths of: Malignant) verbatim = 100%. Active malignancy diagnosis + during all surgical / chemotherapeutic / radiation / targeted-therapy treatment. Per the explicit Note, the 100% rating continues for 2 YEARS following cessation of treatment (not the 6-month rule that applies to most other malignancies). Any reduction from 100% requires § 3.105(e) due-process notice + 60-day opportunity to respond.

60%

Severe neurological residuals post-2-year continuation period — combined per § 4.25 from separately-rated components: significant motor deficit (hemiparesis under DC 8009-8013 by analogy), cognitive impairment (DC 8045 TBI residuals framework), seizure disorder (DC 8910/8911 by frequency), cranial-nerve deficits, severe cognitive dysfunction with prostrating headaches. Most cases with significant residuals reach this tier.

30%

Per § 4.124a DC 8002 verbatim "Minimum rating" = 30%. This is the floor after the 2-year continuation period if any residuals persist. Captures patients with minimal motor / cognitive / seizure residuals.

10%

NOT a DC 8002 tier — but possible if residuals are essentially absent after 2-year continuation, by rating ONLY under specific residual DCs (e.g., DC 8045 TBI mild residuals = 10% per facet evaluation; or specific cranial-nerve mild paralysis 10% each). This requires explicit demonstration of stable, minimal residuals — burden is on rater to justify dropping below the DC 8002 30% minimum.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records

—Current medical diagnosis and treatment records

—Buddy/lay statements

—Prescription history

—Employment impact documentation

—Any relevant diagnostic testing

04C&P Exam Tips

1Bring all relevant medical records and a written list of symptoms.

2Report your worst days, not your best. The VA rates based on overall impairment.

3Document how the condition affects daily activities, work, and relationships.

4Mention all medications and their side effects.

5Bring buddy statements from people who observe your symptoms.

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Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →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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