What happens during a C&P exam for Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)?

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.

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Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident)?

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) (DC 8008) is rated at 10%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8008. Residuals after the acute 6-month window, minimum 10% per § 4.124a DC 8009 framework (applied to all cerebrovascular DCs 8007/8008/8009 per the combined-vascular-codes structure). Rate residuals separately under their applicable DCs and combine under § 4.25.

Q: What rates 10% for Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8008?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8008 (DC 8008), a 10% rating for Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) requires: Residuals after the acute 6-month window, minimum 10% per § 4.124a DC 8009 framework (applied to all cerebrovascular DCs 8007/8008/8009 per the combined-vascular-codes structure). Rate residuals separately under their applicable DCs and combine under § 4.25.

Q: What rates 100% for Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8008?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8008 (DC 8008), a 100% rating for Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) requires: Acute phase, 6 months from event onset, per § 4.124a DC 8009 ("Acute phase (6 months): 100"). Applies to ischemic stroke (DC 8008 thrombosis) and embolic stroke (DC 8007) by the combined-vascular-codes framework, as well as hemorrhagic stroke (DC 8009 directly).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) 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 800838 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8008

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

10–100%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8008 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8008 across 2 severity tiers (10% / 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.

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

Overview

Brain damage from interrupted blood supply (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic) causing neurological deficits.

Rating Criteria

10%

Residuals after the acute 6-month window, minimum 10% per § 4.124a DC 8009 framework (applied to all cerebrovascular DCs 8007/8008/8009 per the combined-vascular-codes structure). Rate residuals separately under their applicable DCs and combine under § 4.25.

100%

Acute phase, 6 months from event onset, per § 4.124a DC 8009 ("Acute phase (6 months): 100"). Applies to ischemic stroke (DC 8008 thrombosis) and embolic stroke (DC 8007) by the combined-vascular-codes framework, as well as hemorrhagic stroke (DC 8009 directly).

03Key Evidence

—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

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

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

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team 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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