---
title: "DC 8015 - Tabes dorsalis"
diagnostic_code: "8015"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8015-tabes-dorsalis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:06:51.102742Z"
---

# DC 8015 - Tabes dorsalis

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

Rate upon the severity of convulsions, paralysis, visual impairment or psychotic involvement, etc.

## Rating criteria

No itemised criteria have been extracted for this code. Use the official source.

## Notes

- Note: Rate upon the severity of convulsions, paralysis, visual impairment or psychotic involvement, etc.
- 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.

# Tabes Dorsalis — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 8015)

**Understanding how the VA evaluates Tabes Dorsalis under 38 CFR § 4.124a.**

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## What Is Tabes Dorsalis?

Tabes dorsalis is a neurological condition rated by the VA under **Diagnostic Code 8015**, within the body system for **Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders** (38 CFR § 4.124a).

Because this condition can affect the body in a variety of ways, the VA does not use a single fixed rating percentage. Instead, it evaluates the condition based on the severity of the specific residuals a veteran experiences.

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## How the VA Rates This Condition

Rather than following one set formula, Tabes dorsalis is rated **upon the severity of its residuals**, which may include:

- **Convulsions**
- **Paralysis**
- **Visual impairment**
- **Psychotic involvement**
- Other related effects

The rating reflects how these residuals actually present in each individual case.

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## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating Tabes dorsalis, the VA considers the following:

- **Ascertainable residuals are required.** For the minimum ratings for residuals under diagnostic codes 8000–8025, there must be ascertainable residuals.

- **Handling residuals that can't be objectively verified.** Determinations about residuals that cannot be objectively verified — such as headaches, dizziness, or fatigability — must be approached on the basis of the diagnosis recorded. Subjective residuals will be accepted when they are consistent with the disease and not more likely attributable to another disease or no disease.

- **Documenting higher ratings.** When ratings above the prescribed minimum are assigned, it is considered exceptionally important that the diagnostic codes used as the basis of evaluation be cited, in addition to the codes identifying the diagnoses.

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*This information is drawn from the VA rating criteria under 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8015. Individual evaluations depend on the specific residuals documented in each case.*

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