Analogous Codes and Equivalent Codes

Below is a list of the most common analogous codes. If you have one of the conditions on this list, it will most likely be rated on the code noted below. However, the Rating Authorities may choose to rate it under a different code if they feel that a different code better covers the disability caused by your condition. There aren’t any official rules stating that these codes must be chosen for these conditions. These are simply the most commonly used analogous codes for these conditions.

If your condition is not listed on this page, you may be able to figure out the analogous code on your own. Simply find the code that best describes your overall condition and the disability that it causes. All-Access Members, if you need help, feel free to ask our Disability Experts using the form at the bottom of the All-Access Members page.

When rating a condition on an analogous code, the final code will most commonly look like this: 8099-8003. This eight-digit code means that a condition is being rated analogously under code 8003. The first four-digits tells us that this condition is being rated analogously. The second four-digits is the analogous code. To determine the first four-digits, take the first two digits of the analogous code and add 99 to the end. 8003 = 80__, and add 99 = 8099. Then add the second code to it with a hyphen between: 8099-8003.

Sometimes the analogous code will look like this: 5201-5010. In this case, the condition is in the VASRD (injury to the shoulder, code 5201), but it doesn’t meet the requirements for a minimum rating under that code, so it is being rated as traumatic arthritis (code 5010).

On to the analogous codes. We’ve listed the most common analogous codes by condition alphabetically.

REMEMBER: These analogous codes are the most commonly used codes for these conditions, but they are not the only options for these conditions. The VA can choose a different analogous code if they feel it applies better in your case.

• Achalasia is a condition that limits the esophagus’ ability to move food down to the stomach. It is rated under code 7203, stricture of the esophagus.
• Acromioclavicular separation (a.k.a. AC separation, separated shoulder) is an injury where the clavicle is separated from the scapula. It is rated under code 5201, limited motion of the shoulder. If it does not meet the requirements for a minimum rating under this code, it may instead be rated under code 5003, degenerative arthritis, or 5010, traumatic arthritis.
• Aphasia is a condition of the brain where you are unable to understand and process language. If it is caused by an injury to the head, it is not rated analogously but is rated as a part of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) rating. If it is caused by an illness or other condition, it is rated under code 9326, neurocognitive disorder.
• Aphonia is the inability to make vocal sounds. If it is caused by nerve damage, rate it under the affected nerve. These can be found on The Cranial Nerves page. If there is no definitive physical cause, but is instead caused by a mental disorder, it is rated under code 9424, conversion disorder.
• Arnold-Chiari malformation syndrome is a condition where the brain is malformed, disrupting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. It is rated under code 8003, benign brain growth.
• Arteriovenous malformation is a condition where abnormal connections form between the arteries and veins. If it occurs in the vessels feeding the brain, it is rated under code 8009, hemorrhage of the brain vessels. If it affects other areas of the body, it is rated under code 7113, arteriovenous fistula.
• Artery stenosis occurs when an artery narrows, causing low or blocked blood flow to various parts of the body. Its analogous code depends on the location of the narrowed artery. Vertebral artery stenosis, narrowing of the arteries in the neck, is rated under code 8008, thrombosis of the brain vessels. Renal artery stenosis, narrowing of the arteries of the kidneys, is rated under code 7534, atherosclerotic renal disease. For all other artery stenoses, rate them under the code that best describes the symptoms for the system it affects.
• Aseptic meningitis is a type of meningitis infection around the brain. It is rated under code 8019, cerebrospinal meningitis.
• Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes scaly rashes. It is rated under code 7806, dermatitis.
• Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a condition where the flow of blood to the femoral bone is blocked, causing the bone to die. It is rated under code 5003, degenerative arthritis.
• Barrett’s Esophagus is a condition where abnormal cells form in the lower part of the esophagus. It is rated under code 7203, stricture of the esophagus.
• Behcet’s Syndrome is a condition that causes the blood vessels to become irritated and swell. Symptoms can involve the eyes, joints, mouth, skin, and reproductive organs. It is rated under the appropriate code for the symptoms. For example, if the main symptom is joint pain, it would be rated under code 5002, systemic arthritis.
• Blepharospasm is a condition where the eye twitches uncontrollably. It is rated under code 8103, convulsive tic.
• Carpal tunnel is a condition where the median nerve gets pinched as it passes through the wrist into the hand. It is rated under one of the codes for the median nerve.
• Celiac disease (sprue) is a condition where the lining of the small intestine is damaged by eating gluten. It is rated under code 7319, irritable colon syndrome.
• Cerebral aneurysm occurs when there is a weak spot in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain. This weak spot bulges out and pushes against the brain tissues. It can be rated under code 7112, small artery aneurysm.
• Cerebellar degenerative disease is a disease that causes the neurons in the brain that control coordination and balance to die. It is rated under code 8014, meningovascular syphilis.
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited condition that affects the peripheral nerves. It is rated under code 8023, progressive muscular atrophy.
• Chest pain that is not caused by another condition is rated under code 5321, muscles of respiration.
• Chondromalacia patella occurs when the tissue below the kneecap is irritated and causes pain. It is rated under code 5014, osteomalacia.
• Chronic renal failure (a.k.a. chronic kidney disease, chronic renal insufficiency) is a condition where the kidneys fail to properly filter waste from the blood. It is rated under code 7502, chronic nephritis.
• Cluster headaches are severe pain in only one half of the head at a time. If it is caused by traumatic brain injury, it can be rated under code 8045, residuals of TBI. If it is not, it can be rated under code 8100, migraine headaches.
• Colostomy is a surgical procedure that routes the end of the colon through the abdominal wall. It is rated under code 7333, stricture of the rectum and anus.
• Complex regional pain syndrome (a.k.a. reflex sympathetic dystrophy) is a nerve condition where severe pain, changes in skin color, and swelling occur. It can affect any area of the body, but is most commonly seen affecting the arms or legs. It is rated as neuralgia under the nerve that is most affected. Please see The Central Nervous System page and the corresponding linked nerve pages for all nerve ratings.
• Any Connective tissue disease which mainly affects the joints and is not rated elsewhere can be rated under code 5002, systemic arthritis. If it affects the entire body, it is rated under code 6350, lupus.
• A coronary artery stent is a tube that is surgically placed in the arteries of the heart to keep them from collapsing. It is rated under code 7017, coronary bypass surgery.
• Costochondritis is chest pain caused by the inflammation of the tissues that line the ribs. This condition normally only lasts for a very short time and so is not ratable. If it is Chronic, however, it can be rated under code 5321, muscles of respiration.
• Crohn’s disease (a.k.a. granulomatous colitis) is a condition that causes the bowels to become irritated and swell. It is rated under code 7323, ulcerative colitis.
• Cubital tunnel is a condition where the ulnar nerve gets pinched as it passes through the elbow into the forearm. It is rated under the codes for the ulnar nerve.
• Demyelinating disease is a condition of the nerves that disrupts their communication. It is rated under code 8018, multiple sclerosis.
• Diverticular disease (a.k.a. diverticulosis) is a condition where pockets form in the walls of the colon. It is rated under code 7319, irritable colon syndrome.
• Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition where the tissues beneath the skin of the palm of the hand thicken abnormally, causing the tissues to tighten and restrict the movement of the hand. It is rated under code 5223, the freezing of two fingers of one hand.
• Dysarthria is a condition where speech is impossible because the nerve that controls the muscles used to speak is damaged. It is rated under code 8212, the hypoglossal nerve.
• Dysmenorrhea is a female condition that causes severe pain during menstruation. It is rated under code 7613, diseases of the uterus.
• Encephalopathy is a catch-all term for conditions of the brain. It is rated under whichever Brain Code best defines the condition. If the brain condition was caused by a traumatic injury but is not covered by a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) rating, it can be rated under code 9304, dementia due to head trauma.
• Fatigue is usually a symptom of a disease and is seldom rated on its own. If it is not caused by another condition, it can be rated under code 6354, chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Folliculitis is a skin condition where the hair follicles swell and produce a bumpy rash. It is rated under code 7806, dermatitis.
• Fugue is a type of Dissociative Disorder. It is basically amnesia that lasts for only a few hours up to a few days but can occur repeatedly. It is rated under code 9416, dissociative amnesia.
• A Ganglion cyst is a hard fluid-filled lump in the joints, most commonly the wrist. It is rated under code 5021, myositis.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the acid in the stomach travels up the esophagus. It is rated under code 7346, hiatal hernia.
• Goodpasture’s Syndrome is a condition where the immune system attacks the kidneys and lungs. It is rated either under a code for the kidneys or a code for the lungs, whichever best describes the overall condition and its symptoms.
• Graft-vs-Host disease is a condition that occurs after a tissue graft or transplant when the body rejects the new tissues. It is rated on whatever code best describes its main symptoms. So, if it was a kidney transplant, the most appropriate code would be a kidney code or a code that best describes the symptoms caused by kidney failure.
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a condition where the immune system attacks the nerves. It is rated under code 8011, poliomyelitis.
• Headaches that are severe enough to rate can be rated under code 8100, migraine headaches. If the headaches are caused by a mental disorder, they are rated under code 9422, pain disorder.
• Hemophilia is a condition where it takes a long time for the blood to clot. It is rated under code 7705, thrombocytopenia.
• Herpes, although rarely severe enough to be given a rating, is rated under code 7820, unspecified skin infection, when ratable.
• Hidradenitis is a condition that causes the sweat glands to swell. It is rated under code 7806, dermatitis.
• Horner’s syndrome is an eye condition that causes the pupil to constrict and the eyelid to droop. It is rated under code 6019, ptosis.
• Hypercoagulable state is a condition where the blood does not clot properly. It is rated under code 7121, post-phlebitic syndrome.
• Hyperlipidemia is a condition where there are high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It usually doesn’t cause any symptoms, and is thus not ratable. If, however, it causes heart disease, it is rated under code 7005, arteriosclerotic heart disease.
• Hypersomnia is a condition where you are excessively tired during the day. It is rated under code 8108, narcolepsy.
• Hypogammaglobulinemia is a condition where there is a decrease in gamma globulins, which causes the body’s immune system to not function properly. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms and so is rated under the code that best covers the symptoms present. A common rating option is code 7702, agranulocytosis.
• Hypogonadism is a condition where the testicles in men or ovaries in women do not produce enough testosterone or estrogen, respectively. This condition can only be rated if both testicles or both ovaries are completely non-functional. If the ovaries are non-functional, then it is rated under code 7620. If the testicles are non-functional, it is rated under code 7523.
• Ileostomy is a surgical procedure that routes the end of the small intestine through the abdominal wall. It is rated under code 7333, stricture of the rectum and anus.
• Legg-Perthes Disease (a.k.a. Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome) is a condition of the hip where the hip joint becomes deformed either because of new bone growth or bone loss. It is rated under code 5003, degenerative arthritis.
• Lymphedema is a condition where the lymph vessels that drain fluid from the tissues is blocked. It is rated under code 7121, post-phlebitic syndrome.
• Meningeal adhesions are patches of scar tissue that develop around the brain after a head injury. They are rated under the Traumatic Brain Injury rating system. Through that rating system, it is then rated under code 8019.
• Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition where pain is felt in one part of the body when pressure points are triggered in another, unrelated part. It is rated under code 5021, myositis.
• Myofasciitis is a condition where muscle tissues are damaged. It is rated under code 5021, myositis.
• Myotonic dystrophy is a progressive disease that affects numerous functions of the body. It is rated under code 8023, progressive muscular atrophy.
• Necrotizing fasciitis (a.k.a. strep fasciitis) is commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria. It is a bacterial infection that breaks down tissue cells. After the infection is treated, it is then rated on any lasting symptoms.
• Nephrotic syndrome is a condition where the kidneys are damaged. It is rated under code 7502, chronic nephritis.
• Nyctalopia is a decrease in night vision. It is not ratable in and of itself. If there is also a decrease in normal vision, however, then that can be rated under the Visual Impairment Rating System.
• Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease is a condition where the knob at the top of the tibia just below the knee swells. It is rated under code 5262, impairment of the tibia.
• Osteochondritis dissecans is a condition where cracks appear in the tip of the bones in the joints and their surrounding cartilage. It is rated under code 5003, degenerative arthritis.
• Pain disorder is a mental disorder where the person feels intense pain in numerous locations in the body without a physical medical cause. The pain is real and can be debilitating. It is rated under code 9422, other somatic symptoms.
• Pancytopenia is a condition that interferes with the creation of red and white blood cells and platelets. It is rated under code 7702, agranulocytosis.
• Parkinsonism is a nervous condition that causes tremors or difficulty moving various body parts. It is similar to Parkinson’s Disease, but it does not get worse over time. It is, however, still rated as Parkinson’s Disease, code 8004.
• Patellofemoral Syndrome (a.k.a. retropatellar syndrome) is a generic term for conditions that cause pain in the center of the knee below the kneecap. If the specific condition is not listed in the VASRD, then it can be rated under code 5261, limited motion of the leg.
• Pelvic adhesive disease is a condition most commonly found in females. It causes the reproductive organs to stick together. It is rated under the organ that is most affected. If the ovaries, it is rated under code 7615, conditions of the ovaries. If the uterus, it is rated under code 7618, removal of the uterus. If both, it is rated under code 7617, removal of the uterus and ovaries.
• Pelvic fracture is a condition where the pelvic bone is broken. It is rated under code 5236, sacroiliac injury.
• Pelvic pain in females is often caused by a dysfunction of some sort in the reproductive organs. When the exact cause is unknown, it is rated under code 7629, endometriosis.
• Peyronie’s disease is a condition that causes a bend in an erect penis. It is rated under code 7522, deformity of the penis.
• Pilonidal cyst is a cavity filled with hair that mostly occurs near the coccyx, but can occur other places as well. The cavity frequently gets infected and requires antibiotics or surgery. It is rated under code 7820, infections of the skin.
• Pituitary Adenoma is a tumor that develops in the pituitary gland. It is rated under one of three possible codes. If it causes the pituitary gland to produce too many hormones, it is rated under code 7916, Hyperpituitarism. If it causes the pituitary gland to produce only too many ACTH hormones, it is rated under code 7907, Cushing’s Syndrome. If it does not cause the overproduction of hormones, then it is rated under code 7915, tumor of the Endocrine System.
• Primary lateral sclerosis is a disease that causes serious muscle weakness that gets worse over time. It is rated under code 8017, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a skin condition where the hair follicles swell and produce a bumpy rash. It is rated under code 7806, dermatitis.
• Reactive airway disease is a term used to describe trouble breathing and wheezing caused by a specific irritant, like an allergy. It is usually easily treated and thus not ratable. If ratable, however, it is rated under code 6602, asthma.
• Reiter’s Syndrome is a condition where arthritis develops because of a bacterial infection. It is rated under code 5002, systemic arthritis.
• Restless leg syndrome is a nerve condition where the legs must be constantly moved to avoid pain or tingling. It is rated under code 8103, convulsive tic or 8620, sciatic nerve.
• The Rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tissues which move the arm at the shoulder. Any rotator cuff injury is rated under code 5304, shoulder muscles.
• Scalenus anticus syndrome is a condition where the blood vessels and nerves in the shoulder are pinched or irritated. It is rated under code 8512, the lower radicular nerve group.
• Scheuermann’s disease (a.k.a. kyphosis) is a condition where the spine does not develop properly, curves or twists, and causes a hunchback or other abnormal postures. It is rated under code 5239, spondylolisthesis.
• Schizophreniform disorder is a mental condition where the majority of the symptoms of schizophrenia are present for at least 1 month, but not the entire 6 months needed to diagnose schizophrenia. This is a difficult condition to rate, since the symptoms normally resolve after a short period of time. If the symptoms are currently active or recurs regularly, it may be rated under code 9201, schizophrenia.
• Sclerosing cholangitis is a condition where the bile ducts of the liver swell and scar. It is rated under code 7312, cirrhosis of the liver.
• Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves to the side. It is rated under code 5239, spondylolisthesis.
• Shin splints are tiny fractures in the tibia (“shinbone”). They are rated under code 5262, impairment of the tibia.
• Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune condition where the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed. It is most commonly caused by rheumatoid arthritis, and so is rated under code 5002, systemic arthritis. It can, however, be rated on symptoms it causes in the eyes or throat if these symptoms are fairly severe.
• Stargardt’s disease is an eye condition that causes progressive vision loss. It is rated under code 6006, retinopathy.
• Superior vena cava syndrome (SVC) is a condition where the superior vena cava vein that takes blood to the heart narrows or is blocked. It is rated under code 7121, post-phlebitic syndrome.
• Syncope (fainting) is most commonly a symptom of another disease. If this is the case, rate only the underlying condition. For example, if it is caused by a seizure condition, then it is rated under code 8911, epilepsy. If it is caused by cranial nerve damage, it is rated under code 8210, tenth cranial nerve. If it is caused by Narcolepsy, then it is rated under code 8108, narcolepsy.
• Tarsal tunnel is a condition where the posterior tibial nerve gets pinched as it passes through the ankle into the foot. It is rated under the codes for the posterior tibial nerve.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disfunction (TMJ) is a condition where the jaw joint becomes irritated and painful. It is rated under code 9905, temporomandibular disorder.
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a condition where the nerves at the thoracic outlet (in the neck) are compressed, causing numbness, pain, and tingling in the arms. It is rated under code 8513, all radicular nerve groups.
• Tic douloureux is a condition where there are sharp pains in the face because of damage to the trigeminal nerve. It is rated under one of the trigeminal nerve codes.
• Torticollis is a condition where the spine in the neck is twisted, causing the head to twist abnormally. It is rated under code 5237, cervical strain.
• Tourette’s Syndrome is a condition with muscle and vocal tics (twitches). It is rated under code 8103, convulsive tic. This condition normally develops in childhood and so may not be ratable since it may be considered EPTS.
• Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection. It is rated under code 8000, encephalitis.
• Tremor (essential, familial, or benign) is the involuntary shaking of part of the body. It is usually rated under code 8105, Sydenham’s Chorea, but can also be rated under code 8103, convulsive tic—whichever best describes the overall condition.
• Tropical sprue is a condition of the intestines that keep them from absorbing all the necessary nutrients from food. It affects people who live in tropical environments. It is rated under code 7323, ulcerative colitis.
• Vestibulopathy is a condition of the ears that affects the ability to hear. It is rated under code 6204, peripheral vestibular disorder.