VA Disability Rating for Parkinson's Disease
Minimum 30% schedular. Agent Orange presumptive AND Camp Lejeune presumptive.
Parkinson's disease (DC 8004) carries a minimum 30% rating schedular. It is on BOTH the Agent Orange presumptive list (Vietnam-era) and the Camp Lejeune presumptive list (1953–1987). In practice, secondary residuals (tremor, rigidity, speech, swallowing, gait) are often rated additionally under their own DCs.
Presumptive framework applies
Agent Orange presumptive (38 USC § 1116 / 38 CFR § 3.309(e)) for qualifying Vietnam-era service. ALSO Camp Lejeune presumptive (PACT Act Title VIII) for 30+ days of service at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between 8/1/1953 and 12/31/1987.
Check my presumptive eligibility →Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | $552.47 | Minimum rating for diagnosed Parkinson's disease. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 30%: $552.47/mo · $6,630/year, tax-free
How to get rated for parkinson's disease
- Neurologist diagnosis is the strongest evidence.
- Qualifying Vietnam-era or Camp Lejeune service: file under presumption — no nexus letter needed.
- Rate residuals separately: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, speech impairment, swallowing issues, cognitive changes can each carry additional ratings.
Common secondary conditions
- +Depression
- +Dysphagia
- +Speech impairment
- +Cognitive impairment
- +Gait disturbance
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Dual-framework eligibility: if service fits both AO and Lejeune, cite both — whichever adjudicates faster wins.
- Always separately rate each residual — the 30% minimum is the FLOOR, not the ceiling.
Frequently asked
Does having Parkinson's guarantee 100% VA rating?
No — but 30% is the floor. Combined with service-connected residuals (tremor, cognitive impairment, depression), many vets reach 70-100% combined.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.