Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Central Nervous System and Neuromuscular Diseases
DC 8021 covers malignant (cancerous) new growths of the spinal cord. The VA rates DC 8021 at 100% during active malignant disease, with a 30% minimum rating that protects you from a lower evaluation. Per the CFR Note, the 100% rating continues for 2 years after the last surgical, chemotherapeutic, or other treatment ends. At the 2-year mark, if the residuals have stabilized, the rating is shifted to neurological residuals according to symptomatology (rated under the appropriate diagnostic codes in 38 CFR § 4.124a, for example, paralysis, sensory loss, bladder/bowel dysfunction, or cord-segment-specific deficits), with the 30% minimum rating preserved as a floor.
Rating levels
- 100% — A malignant neurological condition means you have cancer that has developed in your brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. Malignant tumors are cancerous growths that can spread to other parts of your body and are life-threatening. This rating applies when you have an active cancer diagnosis affecting your neurological system, regardless of your current symptoms or functional limitations.
- 30% — This is the lowest disability rating given for any malignant (cancerous) neurological condition. Veterans with any type of cancer affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nervous system automatically receive at least this rating level, regardless of current symptoms or how well the cancer is being treated.
- -1% — The 100% rating under DC 8021 does NOT end the moment cancer treatment finishes. It continues automatically for 2 years after the last surgical, chemotherapeutic, or other treatment ends (whichever is later). At the 2-year mark, VA examines whether the residuals have stabilized. If yes, the rating is shifted away from the 100% malignant-disease rating and onto a residuals-based rating: the remaining neurological deficits (paralysis rated under DCs 8520-8730 or hemiplegia/paraplegia codes, sensory loss, bladder/bowel dysfunction, cord-segment-specific impairment, etc.) are rated according to their symptomatology, with the 30% minimum rating from DC 8021 preserved as a floor. If residuals have NOT stabilized at 2 years (active disease, ongoing treatment, recurrence), the 100% continues. Any reduction after the 2-year window is subject to 38 CFR § 3.105(e) (advance notice and § 3.344 stabilization rules).