EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Circumflex (Axillary) Nerve Paralysis
✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders) · reviewed 2026-05-15 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team
Circumflex (Axillary) Nerve Paralysis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8518 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8518 across 6 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30% / 40%…). 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
Paralysis of the axillary (circumflex) nerve causing deltoid weakness and inability to abduct the arm.
RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)
0%
Mild incomplete paralysis of the circumflex (axillary) nerve — sensory disturbance over lateral shoulder ("regimental badge" patch), minimal abduction weakness. Same 0% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.
10%
Moderate incomplete paralysis. Same 10% rating for both extremities.
20%
Severe incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.
30%
Severe incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity.
40%
Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity. Verbatim § 4.124a: "abduction of arm is impossible, outward rotation is weakened; muscles supplied are deltoid and teres minor."
50%
Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Verbatim § 4.124a anatomic findings as above.
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026