Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Central Nervous System and Neuromuscular Diseases
DC 8046 covers cerebral arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries of the brain. The regulation rates purely subjective complaints such as headache, dizziness and tinnitus at 10% and no more; it is not combined with other ratings for the same condition. Measurable cognitive or psychiatric residuals are rated under the mental disorder codes, and other neurological residuals under their own codes (38 CFR 4.124a).
Rating levels
- 10% — A 10% rating (and no more) is assigned for subjective complaints such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, or irritability that are recognized as symptoms of properly diagnosed cerebral arteriosclerosis. The rating is assigned under DC 9305 (vascular dementia) rather than directly under DC 8046.
- Note — Symptoms that only you can report, such as headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, insomnia and irritability, are rated 10% and no more under DC 9305 when they come from a properly diagnosed cerebral arteriosclerosis. That 10% is not combined with any other rating for arteriosclerosis of the brain or the body. A rating above 10% under DC 9305 needs a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia with cerebral arteriosclerosis.
- Note — Specific neurological deficits caused by cerebral arteriosclerosis, such as paralysis on one side, cranial nerve damage or loss of speech, are rated under the code for that deficit, written as a hyphenated code that keeps 8046 in front (for example 8046-8207 for a facial nerve paralysis), not under DC 8046 alone.
- Note — A diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis must be supported by the full clinical picture (symptoms, imaging, neurological findings). Retinal artery findings alone are not sufficient to apply this rating.