Syphilis, cerebrospinal — VA Diagnostic Code 8013

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 8013’s own cell does not print a percentage. The indented note says to rate upon the severity of convulsions, paralysis, visual impairment or psychotic involvement, etc. It does not assign those manifestations to a diagnostic code. 38 CFR § 4.31 says that 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. 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided, and that the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

DC 8014 is “Syphilis, meningovascular.” DC 8015 is “Tabes dorsalis.” Both titles end with a period, and both rating cells are empty. The indented note is printed after DC 8015. DC 8017 is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at 100. Its note says “Consider the need for special monthly compensation.” That sentence is not the DC 8013 note.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “syphilis.” It lists “Other organic diseases of the nervous system.” That family name is not assigned to DC 8013. 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.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8013, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.