---
title: "DC 8002 - Brain, new growth of: Malignant"
diagnostic_code: "8002"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8002-brain-new-growth-of-malignant"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:03:01.863677Z"
---

# DC 8002 - Brain, new growth of: Malignant

Rated under § 4.124a. Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Malignant |
| 30% | Minimum rating |

## Notes

- Note: The rating in code 8002 will be continued for 2 years following cessation of surgical, chemotherapeutic or other treatment modality. At this point, if the residuals have stabilized, the rating will be made on neurological residuals according to symptomatology.
- Note: 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.

# Malignant Brain Tumor (New Growth) — VA Disability Rating

**Diagnostic Code 8002 · 38 CFR § 4.124a · Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders**

---

## Understanding This Condition

Diagnostic Code 8002 covers a **malignant new growth of the brain** — that is, a cancerous brain tumor. This condition falls under the VA's schedule for Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders.

Because a malignant brain tumor and its treatment can have lasting effects, the VA rating for this condition is structured to account for both the active disease period and any lasting neurological effects that remain afterward.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings under Diagnostic Code 8002:

| Rating | Criteria |
| ------ | -------- |
| **100%** | Malignant |
| **30%** | Minimum rating |

---

## What the VA Looks For

**How long the 100% rating lasts.** The rating under code 8002 is continued for **2 years following the end of surgical, chemotherapeutic, or other treatment**. At that point, if the residuals have stabilized, the VA re-evaluates the condition based on the neurological residuals according to symptomatology.

**Ascertainable residuals are required.** For the minimum ratings for residuals under diagnostic codes 8000–8025, there must be **ascertainable residuals**. Determinations about residuals that cannot be objectively verified — such as headaches, dizziness, or fatigability — are approached on the basis of the recorded diagnosis. Subjective residuals are accepted when they are consistent with the disease and are not more likely attributable to another disease or to no disease.

**Citing the diagnostic codes.** When ratings above the prescribed minimum are assigned, it is of exceptional importance that the diagnostic codes used as the basis for evaluation are cited, in addition to the codes identifying the diagnoses.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8002) for educational purposes. It describes the rating criteria as written and does not predict any individual outcome.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a