What rates 30% for Tardive Dyskinesia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105 (DC 8105), a 30% rating for Tardive Dyskinesia requires: Moderate tardive dyskinesia — frequent involuntary movements; modest ADL interference (eating, speech).

What rates 50% for Tardive Dyskinesia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105 (DC 8105), a 50% rating for Tardive Dyskinesia requires: Moderately severe tardive dyskinesia — significant interference with eating, speech, or social interaction.

What rates 80% for Tardive Dyskinesia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105 (DC 8105), a 80% rating for Tardive Dyskinesia requires: Severe tardive dyskinesia — major functional impairment; difficulty with self-care; severe social/occupational impact.

What happens during a C&P exam for Tardive Dyskinesia?

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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Tardive Dyskinesia

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Tardive Dyskinesia?

Tardive Dyskinesia (DC 8105) is rated at 10%, 30%, 50%, 80%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105. Mild tardive dyskinesia (per § 4.124a DC 8105 Sydenham's chorea framework by analogy) — occasional choreiform/orobuccolingual movements not interfering with ADLs.

Q: What rates 10% for Tardive Dyskinesia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105 (DC 8105), a 10% rating for Tardive Dyskinesia requires: Mild tardive dyskinesia (per § 4.124a DC 8105 Sydenham's chorea framework by analogy) — occasional choreiform/orobuccolingual movements not interfering with ADLs.

Q: What rates 100% for Tardive Dyskinesia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105 (DC 8105), a 100% rating for Tardive Dyskinesia requires: Pronounced, progressive grave types — total disability with continuous violent involuntary movements; aspiration risk; complete dependence.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Tardive Dyskinesia VA claim?

Key evidence for a Tardive Dyskinesia 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 810538 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8105

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

10–100%

5 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Tardive Dyskinesia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8105 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8105 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 30% / 50% / 80% / 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

Involuntary repetitive movements, especially of the face, tongue, and jaw, caused by long-term use of neuroleptic medications.

Rating Criteria

10%

Mild tardive dyskinesia (per § 4.124a DC 8105 Sydenham's chorea framework by analogy) — occasional choreiform/orobuccolingual movements not interfering with ADLs.

30%

Moderate tardive dyskinesia — frequent involuntary movements; modest ADL interference (eating, speech).

50%

Moderately severe tardive dyskinesia — significant interference with eating, speech, or social interaction.

80%

Severe tardive dyskinesia — major functional impairment; difficulty with self-care; severe social/occupational impact.

100%

Pronounced, progressive grave types — total disability with continuous violent involuntary movements; aspiration risk; complete dependence.

Key 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

C&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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