VA Disability Rating for Stroke: How DC 8007, 8008 and 8009 Work (2026)
Quick answer: The VA rates strokes under Diagnostic Codes 8007 (embolism), 8008 (thrombosis) and 8009 (hemorrhage). The schedule provides a 100% rating for 6 months, after which the residual effects are rated, with a minimum of 10%. For 2026, VA lists a veteran with no dependents at 100% at $3,938.58 per month. Residual ratings are combined, not added.
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bleeds. Its effects vary widely: some people recover most function, while others live with weakness on one side, trouble speaking, vision changes or memory and mood problems. This guide explains how the VA's rating schedule treats a stroke, how the rating works after the first six months, how service connection can be established, and what evidence is typically relevant. It cannot predict how the VA will decide any individual claim.
How does the VA rate a stroke?
Strokes are rated in the neurological section of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities, 38 CFR § 4.124a. Three diagnostic codes cover the vascular events: DC 8007 (brain vessels, embolism of), DC 8008 (brain vessels, thrombosis of) and DC 8009 (brain vessels, hemorrhage from). All three share one rule: rate the vascular condition at 100% for 6 months, then rate the residuals, with a minimum rating of 10%.
The code used generally follows the type of event your medical records describe. The rating after the first period, however, turns on the lasting effects of the stroke, not just on the diagnosis. You can read the schedule on the eCFR page for 38 CFR § 4.124a.
How are stroke residuals rated after 6 months?
After the 6-month period, the VA looks at what the stroke left behind. Residuals are generally rated under the diagnostic codes for the specific disability. The related instruction for cerebral arteriosclerosis (DC 8046) gives a sense of the approach: purely neurological disabilities, such as hemiplegia or cranial nerve paralysis, are rated under the codes for those specific problems. Depending on your records, residuals might include:
- Weakness or paralysis of an arm or leg, rated under the nerve and neurological codes.
- Vision problems, which the VA rates under the eye schedule. See our guide to vision loss ratings.
- Cognitive or mood changes, which may be evaluated under the mental disorder schedule. Our PTSD rating guide shows how that general formula is laid out.
- Headaches, which have their own rating criteria. See our migraine rating guide.
Each recognized residual receives its own rating, and the ratings are combined under 38 CFR § 4.25 using the combined ratings table rather than simple addition. As an illustration only: ratings of 40% and 30% combine to 58%, which rounds to 60%. Our combined ratings formula guide walks through the method, and the bilateral factor guide explains the extra step that can apply to paired limbs.
What do the ratings pay in 2026?
The table lists the 2026 monthly compensation for a veteran alone (no dependents), effective December 1, 2025, at selected combined ratings, from the VA compensation rates page. Your payment depends on your total combined rating from all conditions, not on the stroke alone.
| Combined rating | 2026 monthly pay, veteran alone |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Note: At 30% and above, rates with a spouse, children or parents are higher. Rates at 10% and 20% do not change with dependents. The VA rates page lists each combination. See also our 2026 pay rates chart.
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Not sure how your stroke and its residuals fit the rating schedule? A VA-accredited attorney can review your situation. Attorney fees for VA claims are regulated, and you can ask about fee terms before you agree to anything.
Connect with a VA Attorney →How can a stroke be service connected?
Service connection generally requires a current diagnosis, an in-service event, injury or illness, and a medical link between them (direct service connection under 38 CFR § 3.303). There are also other routes that may be considered:
- Chronic disease presumption. Brain hemorrhage and brain thrombosis are listed among the chronic diseases in 38 CFR § 3.309(a). Under § 3.307(a)(3), the disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10% or more within 1 year from the date of separation, and the other conditions of that section must also be met.
- Secondary service connection. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a disability caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition may itself be service connected. Whether a link exists in your case is a question for your doctor and the VA. See our guides to hypertension, heart arrhythmia, diabetes and secondary service connection.
- Agent Orange. The VA's list of presumptive Agent Orange conditions includes hypertension and ischemic heart disease, but does not list stroke. A stroke may still be raised as a secondary condition to a service-connected presumptive condition, with supporting medical evidence. See our ischemic heart disease guide.
- Head injury. If a stroke followed a service-connected head injury, the medical link is a question for your doctor. Our TBI rating guide covers how traumatic brain injury is rated.
What evidence is usually relevant?
- Hospital and imaging records from the stroke itself: the type of event, the date, and CT or MRI results.
- Rehabilitation and follow-up records from neurology, physical, speech or occupational therapy, documenting current limitations.
- Service treatment records showing blood pressure readings, cardiac findings or head injuries during service, if you are asserting a link.
- Statements describing daily effects: what you can and cannot do, dated and specific. Statements from people who see you regularly can help describe what the records do not.
- A medical opinion if the link to service or to another service-connected condition is not clear. See nexus letter vs. DBQ and our DBQ guide.
The VA may schedule a compensation and pension exam. Our C&P exam tips cover how to prepare, and evidence types explains what the VA accepts. If your condition changes later, you can file for an increase; see how to increase your VA disability rating.
Can special monthly compensation apply?
Special monthly compensation (SMC) can be paid in addition to regular compensation for specific severe disabilities, such as loss of use of a limb or the need for regular aid and attendance. Whether it applies depends on your findings, which the VA decides. Our SMC guide and aid and attendance guide explain the general rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
The VA rates strokes under Diagnostic Codes 8007 (embolism), 8008 (thrombosis) and 8009 (hemorrhage) of the neurological schedule. The schedule says to rate the vascular condition at 100% for 6 months, then to rate the residuals, with a minimum rating of 10%. Source: 38 CFR § 4.124a.
After the 6-month period at 100%, the rating is based on the residual effects of the stroke, such as weakness or paralysis, speech or vision problems, or cognitive and mood changes. The schedule sets a minimum of 10% for the residuals. The VA decides each residual from the medical evidence.
Stroke does not appear on the VA's list of presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure. Hypertension and ischemic heart disease do appear on that list, so a stroke that a doctor links to a service-connected condition like these may be considered as a secondary condition. That depends on the medical evidence.
Yes, in limited cases. Brain hemorrhage and brain thrombosis are listed as chronic diseases in 38 CFR § 3.309(a). If one became manifest to a degree of 10% or more within 1 year of separation from service, it may be presumed to have started in service, if the other conditions of § 3.307 are met.
It can be considered. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a disability that was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition may itself be service connected. Whether a stroke qualifies depends on a medical opinion and the VA's review of the full record.
Each residual that the VA recognizes is generally rated under its own diagnostic code, and the ratings are then combined using the combined ratings table in 38 CFR § 4.25, not added together. The combined result is rounded to the nearest 10.
For a veteran with no dependents, effective December 1, 2025, VA lists 70% at $1,808.45 per month and 100% at $3,938.58 per month. Rates with dependents are higher at 30% and above. See the VA rates page for each combination.
Special monthly compensation is an additional benefit for certain severe disabilities, such as loss of use of a limb or need for regular aid and attendance. Whether it applies depends on your specific findings. See our special monthly compensation guide for the general rules.