Myelitis — VA Diagnostic Code 8010

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 schedule text for DC 8010 is the minimum rating of 10 and the note for diagnostic codes 8000-8025. This page does not say the form replaces that note.

Section 3.309(a) lists “Myelitis.” 38 CFR § 3.309(a) says the following diseases shall be granted service connection although not otherwise established as incurred in or aggravated by service if manifested to a compensable degree within the applicable time limits under § 3.307 following service in a period of war or following peacetime service on or after January 1, 1947, provided the rebuttable presumption provisions of § 3.307 are also satisfied. 38 CFR § 3.307(a) says no condition other than one listed in § 3.309(a) will be considered chronic. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(1) says the veteran must have served 90 days or more during a war period or after December 31, 1946. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(3) says the disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year (for Hansen's disease (leprosy) and tuberculosis, within 3 years; multiple sclerosis, within 7 years) from the date of separation from service as specified in paragraph (a)(2). The longer periods do not name myelitis.

38 CFR § 3.308(a) says there is no provision for presumptive service connection for chronic disease as distinguished from tropical diseases referred to in paragraph (b) of this section based on peacetime service before January 1, 1947.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309(b) does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.309(c) does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.309(d) does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.309(e) does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.309(f) does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.316 does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.320 does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.320a does not name myelitis. 38 CFR § 3.320b does not name myelitis. The table to 38 CFR § 3.317 lists “Myelitis-radiculoneuritis” as a long-term health effect under brucellosis. Paragraph (d)(1) describes those entries as long-term health effects that potentially are associated with the infectious diseases listed in paragraph (c)(2). The schedule title at DC 8010 is “Myelitis,” without the hyphenated addition.

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.