C&P Exam for Narcolepsy (DC 8108)
Which form the examiner uses
For narcolepsy (DC 8108), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):
- DBQ NEURO Narcolepsy (examiner-only DBQ. Link opens VA Find-A-Form search)
DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.
What to expect at your C&P exam
A narcolepsy exam reviews your sleep attacks and a sleep study. It is rated like minor epileptic seizures, by how often the attacks happen, under 38 CFR 4.124a.
1Initial interview (history)
- Sudden sleep attacks: how often and in what situations.
- Cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness with emotion), if present.
- Daytime sleepiness, dream-like states, and sleep paralysis.
- Treatment and the effect on driving, work, and safety.
2Physical examination
- A general and neurological exam, usually normal between attacks.
3Diagnostic tests the examiner may rely on
Sleep studies confirm narcolepsy.
4Functional assessment
- How often you have sleep attacks (rated like minor seizures), which sets the rating.
- Findings map to 38 CFR 4.124a (narcolepsy DC 8108).
Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.
What the examiner records (full DBQ form)
The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.
This DBQ evaluates narcolepsy including findings, signs, symptoms, and functional impact.
How DC 8108 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-VII of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code.
DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
- 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire: Narcolepsy
- 1B. Does the Veteran have or has he or she ever been diagnosed with narcolepsy? (This is the condition the Veteran is claiming or for which an exam has been requested) Yes No
- 1C. If yes, check the appropriate diagnoses (check all that apply): Narcolepsy ICD Code: Date of Diagnosis: Other (specify): Other Diagnosis #1: ICD Code: Date of Diagnosis:
- 1D. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to narcolepsy, list using above format:
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
- 2A. Describe the history, including onset and course, of the Veteran's narcolepsy. Brief summary:
- 2B. Is continuous medication required for control of narcolepsy? Yes No If yes, list only those medications used for the Veteran's narcolepsy:
FINDINGS, SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS (Section III)
- 3A. If yes, does the Veteran report any of the following findings, signs or symptoms? Yes No (If "Yes," check all that apply): Excessive daytime sleepiness Sleep attacks (strong urge to sleep followed by short nap) Cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, resulting in brief inability to move) Sleep paralysis (inability to move on first awakening)
- 3B. Indicate frequency of cataplectic (narcoleptic) episodes (check all that apply): Number of cataplectic (narcoleptic) episodes over past 6 months 0-1 2 or more (If 2 or more over the past 6 months, indicate the "average frequency" of narcoleptic episodes): 0-4 per week 5-8 per week 9-10 per week More than 10 per week (If the Veteran has cataplectic (narcoleptic) episodes, describe):
- 3C. Has the Veteran ever had major seizures (characterized by the generalized tonic-clonic convulsion with unconsciousness)? Yes No Number of major seizures: None in past 2 years At least 1 in past 2 years At least 2 in past years Average frequency of major seizures: None in past 6 months At least 1 in 3 months over past year At least 1 in past 6 months At least 1 per month over past year At…
- 3D. Has the Veteran ever had minor seizures (characterized by a brief interruption in consciousness or conscious control associated with staring or rhythmic blinking of the eyes or nodding of the head ("pure" petit mal) or sudden jerking movements of the arms, trunk or head (myoclonic type) or sudden loss of postural control (akinetic type))? Yes No Number of minor seizures over past 6 months 0-1…
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section IV)
- 4A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions listed in Section I, diagnosis above? Yes No If yes, describe (brief summary):
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section V)
- 5A. Have clinically relevant diagnostic imaging studies or other diagnostic procedures been performed or reviewed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No If yes, check all that apply: Polysomnogram (PSG) Date: Results: Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) Date: Results: Narcolepsy
- 5B. Are there any other clinically relevant diagnostic test findings or results related to the claimed condition(s) and/or diagnosis(es) that were reviewed in conjunction with this examination? Yes No (If "Yes," provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary)):
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VI)
- 6A. Regardless of the Veteran's current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)? Yes No If yes, describe the functional impact of each condition, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section VII)
- 7A. Remarks (if any - please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate).
Rating Levels for DC 8108
The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.
Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.
Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 8108
The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.
- Service treatment records: appeared in 156 granted decisions (234 denied; 390 decided total)
- Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 131 granted decisions (193 denied; 324 decided total)
- Medical literature: appeared in 16 granted decisions (21 denied; 37 decided total)
Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.