38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.124a

Paralysis agitans — VA Diagnostic Code 8004

Neurological

Diagnostic code

8004

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38 CFR § 4.124a lists Diagnostic Code 8004 as “Paralysis agitans,” with a minimum rating of 30. The code does not print 10, 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 100 percent lines of its own. The words “Parkinson's disease” are not the schedule title. They are the words in 38 CFR § 3.309(e) and § 3.309(f).

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.124a source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended through 79 FR 2100, Jan. 13, 2014. The versioner lists § 4.124a’s latest substantive amendment date as 2016-12-14.

The rating criteria at each level

Paralysis agitans — DC 8004

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). Minimum rating

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
30	Minimum rating

Note (diagnostic codes 8000-8025): It is required for the minimum ratings for residuals under diagnostic codes 8000-8025, that there be ascertainable residuals. Determinations as to the presence of residuals not capable of objective verification, i.e., headaches, dizziness, fatigability, must be approached on the basis of the diagnosis recorded; subjective residuals will be accepted when consistent with the disease and not more likely attributable to other disease or no disease. It is of exceptional importance that when ratings in excess of the prescribed minimum ratings are assigned, the diagnostic codes utilized as bases of evaluation be cited, in addition to the codes identifying the diagnoses.

The opening of § 4.124a, in brackets, says: “With the exceptions noted, disability from the following diseases and their residuals may be rated from 10 percent to 100 percent in proportion to the impairment of motor, sensory, or mental function. Consider especially psychotic manifestations, complete or partial loss of use of one or more extremities, speech disturbances, impairment of vision, disturbances of gait, tremors, visceral manifestations, etc., referring to the appropriate bodily system of the schedule. With partial loss of use of one or more extremities from neurological lesions, rate by comparison with the mild, moderate, severe, or complete paralysis of peripheral nerves.”

DC 8004 does not print a 0 percent line. The minimum-rating note requires ascertainable residuals for the minimum ratings under diagnostic codes 8000-8025. 38 CFR § 4.31 says: “In every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.”

38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8004, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01. The section source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended through 79 FR 2100, Jan. 13, 2014. The versioner lists a substantive amendment date of 2016-12-14.

What the words mean in your records

Minimum rating 30

Those are the only words on the DC 8004 percentage line. A rating above that minimum is not a second line under DC 8004. The note says that when ratings in excess of the prescribed minimum ratings are assigned, the diagnostic codes utilized as bases of evaluation be cited, in addition to the codes identifying the diagnoses.

Ascertainable residuals

The note requires ascertainable residuals for the minimum ratings under diagnostic codes 8000-8025. It names headaches, dizziness, and fatigability as examples of residuals not capable of objective verification. Subjective residuals will be accepted when consistent with the disease and not more likely attributable to other disease or no disease. The determinations are approached on the basis of the diagnosis recorded.

Parkinson's disease and paralysis agitans

The schedule title is “Paralysis agitans.” 38 CFR § 3.309(a) lists “Paralysis agitans” among the chronic diseases. 38 CFR § 3.309(e) and § 3.309(f)(6) each list “Parkinson's disease.” This page does not treat those three phrases as a definition printed in one sentence.

When two evaluations are close

Evidence that speaks to each level

30 — minimum

What the rater needs to see. A diagnosis the schedule titles “Paralysis agitans,” and ascertainable residuals, because the note requires them for the minimum ratings under diagnostic codes 8000-8025.

Where that usually lives. The diagnosis in the record, and the findings the note describes as ascertainable residuals.

Above the minimum

What the rater needs to see. The note says the diagnostic codes used as the bases of evaluation are cited in addition to the code identifying the diagnosis. The opening of § 4.124a refers to the appropriate bodily system of the schedule.

Where that usually lives. The rating decision, for both the diagnosis code and any additional code it cites.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
30 — minimum	A diagnosis the schedule titles “Paralysis agitans,” and ascertainable residuals, because the note requires them for the minimum ratings under diagnostic codes 8000-8025.	The diagnosis in the record, and the findings the note describes as ascertainable residuals.
Above the minimum	The note says the diagnostic codes used as the bases of evaluation are cited in addition to the code identifying the diagnosis. The opening of § 4.124a refers to the appropriate bodily system of the schedule.	The rating decision, for both the diagnosis code and any additional code it cites.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Parkinson's Disease” and, separately, “Central Nervous System and Neuromuscular Diseases,” under Neurological.

The exam form

The Parkinson's Disease file is Parkinson's Disease. The central-nervous-system file is Central Nervous System and Neuromuscular Diseases. The schedule text for DC 8004 is the minimum rating and the note under diagnostic codes 8000-8025. This page does not say either form replaces that text.

Related codes and how they interact

Neighboring minimum-rating codes

DC 8018 is multiple sclerosis, also with a minimum rating of 30. DC 8005 is bulbar palsy, rated 100. Section 3.309(a) lists “Palsy, bulbar” and “Sclerosis, multiple” as separate chronic diseases from “Paralysis agitans.”

Other neurological codes are on the neurological diagnostic-code index. The category page is neurological conditions.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

38 CFR § 3.309(a) lists “Paralysis agitans” among the chronic diseases. The time limit is in 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(3): the disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year from the date of separation from service, except for the longer periods that paragraph names for Hansen's disease, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis. Paralysis agitans is not one of those three exceptions.

38 CFR § 3.309(e) lists “Parkinson's disease” for a veteran exposed to an herbicide agent, if the requirements of § 3.307(a)(6) are met and the rebuttable presumption provisions of § 3.307(d) are satisfied. Paragraph (a)(6)(ii) says the diseases listed at § 3.309(e) shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service, except for chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and early-onset peripheral neuropathy. Parkinson's disease is not one of those three exceptions. Paragraph (a)(6) does not use the words “paralysis agitans.”

38 U.S.C. § 1116(a)(2), read on the Legal Information Institute page on 2026-10-05, names “Parkinsonism” in paragraph (2)(I). That list does not use the words “Parkinson's disease.” The regulatory list in § 3.309(e) does.

38 CFR § 3.309(f) lists eight diseases for exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune when § 3.307(a)(7) is met, subject to § 3.307(d). Paragraph (f)(6) is “Parkinson's disease.” Paragraph (a)(7)(ii) says the diseases listed in § 3.309(f) shall have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service. Paragraph (a)(7)(iii) requires no less than 30 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) of service at Camp Lejeune during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on December 31, 1987. For that section, service at Camp Lejeune means any service within the borders of the entirety of the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, during that period, as established by military orders or other official service department records.

Section 3.309(e) does not name paralysis agitans. Section 3.309(f) does not name paralysis agitans. 38 CFR § 3.320 does not name Parkinson's disease or paralysis agitans. 38 CFR § 3.320a does not name them. 38 CFR § 3.316 does not name them.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for DC 8004?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, paralysis agitans has a minimum rating of 30 when the note's ascertainable-residual requirement is met. The code does not print a higher percentage of its own. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Which presumption lists name Parkinson's disease?

38 CFR § 3.309(e) names Parkinson's disease for herbicide exposure. 38 CFR § 3.309(f)(6) names it for Camp Lejeune. 38 CFR § 3.309(a) names paralysis agitans as a chronic disease. 38 U.S.C. § 1116(a)(2)(I) names Parkinsonism. Sections 3.320 and 3.320a do not name Parkinson's disease or paralysis agitans.

FAQ

How does VA rate paralysis agitans under DC 8004?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8004 prints one level: minimum rating 30. The note under diagnostic codes 8000-8025 requires ascertainable residuals for that minimum. When a rating above the minimum is assigned, the note says the diagnostic codes used as the bases of evaluation are cited in addition to the diagnosis code. Education only.

Is Parkinson's disease the schedule title?

The schedule title is “Paralysis agitans.” Section 3.309(a) uses those words. Sections 3.309(e) and 3.309(f)(6) use “Parkinson's disease.” Section 1116(a)(2)(I) uses “Parkinsonism.”

Is Parkinson's disease on the Camp Lejeune list?

Section 3.309(f)(6) names Parkinson's disease. The exposure rule in § 3.307(a)(7) requires no less than 30 days at Camp Lejeune, including Marine Corps Air Station New River, from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987. The disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.

Is paralysis agitans a herbicide presumption?

Section 3.309(e) names Parkinson's disease, not the words “paralysis agitans.” The herbicide rules are in § 3.307(a)(6). The statute's paragraph 1116(a)(2) names Parkinsonism and does not use the words “Parkinson's disease.”

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 8004, the minimum rating, and any additional diagnostic code the note says must be cited when the rating is above the minimum.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. C&P prep (Founding Pass) is a separate worksheet. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other neurological codes are on the neurological diagnostic-code index.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Neurological, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Neurological codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 8004 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.