---
title: "DC 8046 - Cerebral arteriosclerosis"
diagnostic_code: "8046"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8046-cerebral-arteriosclerosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:10:35.946255Z"
---

# DC 8046 - Cerebral arteriosclerosis

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

Purely neurological disabilities, such as hemiplegia, cranial nerve paralysis, etc., due to cerebral arteriosclerosis will be rated under the diagnostic codes dealing with such specific disabilities, with citation of a hyphenated diagnostic code (e.g., 8046-8207). Purely subjective complaints such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia and irritability, recognized as symptomatic of a properly diagnosed cerebral arteriosclerosis, will be rated 10 percent and no more under diagnostic code 9305. This 10 percent rating will not be combined with any other rating for a disability due to cerebral or generalized arteriosclerosis. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for cerebral arteriosclerosis under diagnostic code 9305 are not assignable in the absence of a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia with cerebral arteriosclerosis.

## Rating criteria

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

## Notes

- Note: The ratings under code 8046 apply only when the diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis is substantiated by the entire clinical picture and not solely on findings of retinal arteriosclerosis.

# Cerebral Arteriosclerosis (VA Diagnostic Code 8046)

*Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders — 38 CFR § 4.124a*

## What This Condition Is

Cerebral arteriosclerosis is a condition affecting the arteries of the brain. Under the VA rating schedule, it is assigned Diagnostic Code 8046 and is evaluated within the category of neurological conditions and convulsive disorders.

The VA rates this condition differently depending on whether the effects are objective, measurable neurological disabilities or purely subjective complaints.

## How the VA Rates Cerebral Arteriosclerosis

The rating approach depends on the type of disability present:

### Purely Neurological Disabilities
Conditions such as hemiplegia, cranial nerve paralysis, and similar disabilities due to cerebral arteriosclerosis are rated under the diagnostic codes that deal with those specific disabilities. When this is done, a hyphenated diagnostic code is cited (for example, 8046-8207).

### Purely Subjective Complaints
Subjective complaints such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, and irritability — when recognized as symptomatic of a properly diagnosed cerebral arteriosclerosis — are rated **10 percent and no more** under Diagnostic Code 9305.

Important points about this 10 percent rating:

- This 10 percent rating will **not** be combined with any other rating for a disability due to cerebral or generalized arteriosclerosis.
- Ratings **in excess of 10 percent** under Diagnostic Code 9305 are not assignable **unless** there is a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia with cerebral arteriosclerosis.

## What the VA Looks For

- **A substantiated diagnosis.** The ratings under Code 8046 apply only when the diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis is supported by the entire clinical picture — not solely on findings of retinal arteriosclerosis.
- **The nature of the disability.** The VA distinguishes between objective neurological disabilities (rated under the applicable specific diagnostic codes) and purely subjective complaints (rated under Diagnostic Code 9305).
- **Whether multi-infarct dementia is present.** A diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia with cerebral arteriosclerosis is required before any rating higher than 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 9305 can be assigned.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.124a and is provided for general educational purposes. Individual ratings depend on the specific facts and medical evidence in each case.*

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