Athetosis, acquired (DC 8107)

Rating levels

• -1% — Acquired athetosis is rated using the Sydenham's chorea ladder (DC 8105): 100% / 80% / 50% / 30% / 10% based on severity. The same severity descriptors apply: pronounced grave (continuous severe writhing, life-threatening or completely disabling), severe (near-continuous writhing markedly disrupting most activities), moderately severe (frequent writhing disrupting fine motor and gait), moderate (regular writhing visible to observers), mild (occasional low-amplitude writhing without significant functional limit). If the underlying brain injury (stroke, hypoxic injury, postencephalitic) also caused separately compensable deficits (cognitive impairment, paralysis, sensory loss), those are rated under their own diagnostic codes and combined under § 4.25.
• 100% — You qualify for 100% if your acquired athetosis is pronounced, progressive, and of the grave type, meaning the involuntary movements are severe and unrelenting, the disease is actively worsening, and the overall clinical picture is life-threatening or completely disabling. At this level the veteran is typically nonambulatory, unable to perform self-care, and may have superimposed cognitive, swallowing, or respiratory impairment.
• 80% — You qualify for 80% if your acquired athetosis is severe: continuous or near-continuous involuntary movements that markedly interfere with most activities (eating, dressing, writing, ambulation), with substantial loss of motor control. The veteran can perform only limited self-care and cannot sustain work-like activity.
• 50% — You qualify for 50% if your acquired athetosis is moderately severe: frequent involuntary movements that significantly interfere with fine motor tasks (handwriting, buttoning, manipulating small objects) and gait, and intermittently disrupt larger activities. The veteran can still perform basic self-care but with frequent assistance or adaptation.
• 30% — You qualify for 30% if your acquired athetosis is moderate: noticeable involuntary movements that occur regularly and interfere with some daily activities but do not preclude most self-care or work. The movements are visible to observers and may worsen with stress, fatigue, or voluntary activity.
• 10% — You qualify for 10% if your acquired athetosis is mild: occasional or low-amplitude involuntary movements that are perceptible on examination but cause little to no functional limitation in daily activities. The movements may be brought out by stress, fatigue, or attention but do not interfere with most tasks.