What are the VA rating percentages for Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Lumbar Radiculopathy (DC 5243) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243. Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 10% for Lumbar Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 10% rating for Lumbar Radiculopathy requires: Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 20% for Lumbar Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 20% rating for Lumbar Radiculopathy requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 40% for Lumbar Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 40% rating for Lumbar Radiculopathy requires: Moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 60% for Lumbar Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 60% rating for Lumbar Radiculopathy requires: Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy.

What rates 80% for Lumbar Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 80% rating for Lumbar Radiculopathy requires: Complete paralysis: foot dangles and drops, no active movement below knee.

What happens during a C&P exam for Lumbar Radiculopathy?

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.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Lumbar Radiculopathy

Q: What evidence do I need for a Lumbar Radiculopathy VA claim?

Key evidence for a Lumbar Radiculopathy 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 5243 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Lumbar Radiculopathy is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5243 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40% / 60% / 80%). 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

Compression of lumbar nerve roots causing radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

10%

Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

20%

Moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

40%

Moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

60%

Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy.

80%

Complete paralysis: foot dangles and drops, no active movement below knee.

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 2026-05-17 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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