What rates 30% for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 30% rating for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

What rates 40% for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 40% rating for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. OR severe incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

What rates 50% for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 50% rating for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy requires: Severe incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity.

What rates 70% for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 70% rating for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy requires: Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Anatomic findings as above per affected radicular group.

What happens during a C&P exam for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy?

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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Brachial Plexus Neuropathy

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy?

Brachial Plexus Neuropathy (DC 8510) is rated at 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510. Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected radicular group(s) — sensory disturbance (paresthesia, dermatomal hypesthesia), minimal motor weakness on EMG/NCS. Same 20% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.

Q: What rates 20% for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 20% rating for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy requires: Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected radicular group(s) — sensory disturbance (paresthesia, dermatomal hypesthesia), minimal motor weakness on EMG/NCS. Same 20% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.

Q: What rates 60% for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 60% rating for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy requires: Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity. Anatomic findings follow the predominant radicular group: upper (DC 8510) — all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected; middle (DC 8511) — adduction, abduction, rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected; lower (DC 8512) — all intrinsic muscles of hand and some/all flexors of wrist and fingers paralyzed.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Brachial Plexus Neuropathy VA claim?

Key evidence for a Brachial Plexus Neuropathy 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 8510 | 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Brachial Plexus Neuropathy is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8510 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 across 6 severity tiers (20% / 30% / 40% / 50% / 60%…). 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.

OVERVIEW

Damage to the brachial plexus nerve network controlling the shoulder, arm, and hand causing weakness, numbness, and pain.

RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)

20%

Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected radicular group(s) — sensory disturbance (paresthesia, dermatomal hypesthesia), minimal motor weakness on EMG/NCS. Same 20% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.

30%

Moderate incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

40%

Moderate incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. OR severe incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

50%

Severe incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity.

60%

Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity. Anatomic findings follow the predominant radicular group: upper (DC 8510) — all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected; middle (DC 8511) — adduction, abduction, rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected; lower (DC 8512) — all intrinsic muscles of hand and some/all flexors of wrist and fingers paralyzed.

70%

Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Anatomic findings as above per affected radicular group.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-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

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

→ View § 4.124a 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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