What happens during a C&P exam for Bulimia Nervosa?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Bulimia Nervosa

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia Nervosa (DC 9521) is rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521. Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes.

Q: What rates 0% for Bulimia Nervosa under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 (DC 9521), a 0% rating for Bulimia Nervosa requires: Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes.

Q: What rates 10% for Bulimia Nervosa under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 (DC 9521), a 10% rating for Bulimia Nervosa requires: Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder and incapacitating episodes of up to two weeks total duration per year.

Q: What rates 30% for Bulimia Nervosa under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 (DC 9521), a 30% rating for Bulimia Nervosa requires: Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of more than two but less than six weeks total duration per year.

Q: What rates 60% for Bulimia Nervosa under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 (DC 9521), a 60% rating for Bulimia Nervosa requires: Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of six or more weeks total duration per year.

Q: What rates 100% for Bulimia Nervosa under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521?

Under 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 (DC 9521), a 100% rating for Bulimia Nervosa requires: Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks total duration per year, and requiring hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Bulimia Nervosa VA claim?

Key evidence for a Bulimia Nervosa claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 952138 C.F.R. § 4.130

Diagnostic Code

DC 9521

38 C.F.R. § 4.130

Rating Range

0–100%

5 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.130

Bulimia Nervosa is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 9521 of 38 CFR § 4.130, DC 9521 across 5 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 30% / 60% / 100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Bulimia Nervosa is a DSM-5 eating disorder marked by recurrent binge eating (eating an unusually large amount with a sense of loss of control) followed by recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight, and unlike anorexia nervosa, body weight is usually within or above the normal range. To meet criteria the binge-purge cycle must occur on average at least once a week for three months, and the behavior cannot occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.

Rating Criteria

Binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other measures to prevent weight gain, or resistance to weight gain even when below expected minimum weight, with diagnosis of an eating disorder but without incapacitating episodes.

10%

30%

Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of more than two but less than six weeks total duration per year.

60%

Self-induced weight loss to less than 85 percent of expected minimum weight with incapacitating episodes of six or more weeks total duration per year.

100%

Self-induced weight loss to less than 80 percent of expected minimum weight, with incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks total duration per year, and requiring hospitalization more than twice a year for parenteral nutrition or tube feeding.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.130 (Mental disorders). Source verified 2026-06-03 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.130 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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