What rates 10% for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517 (DC 8517), a 10% rating for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis. Same 10% rating for both dominant and non-dominant extremity.

What rates 20% for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517 (DC 8517), a 20% rating for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis requires: Severe incomplete paralysis — same 20% rating for both extremities. OR Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity (also 20%).

What happens during a C&P exam for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis?

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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Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis?

Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis (DC 8517) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517. Mild incomplete paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve — sensory disturbance over lateral forearm, minimal elbow flexion weakness. Same 0% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity (DC 8517 has no compensable mild tier).

Q: What rates 0% for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517 (DC 8517), a 0% rating for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis requires: Mild incomplete paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve — sensory disturbance over lateral forearm, minimal elbow flexion weakness. Same 0% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity (DC 8517 has no compensable mild tier).

Q: What rates 30% for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517 (DC 8517), a 30% rating for Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis requires: Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Verbatim § 4.124a: "weakness but not loss of flexion of elbow and supination of forearm." (Note: even complete paralysis preserves some elbow flexion via brachioradialis innervated by the radial nerve.)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis VA claim?

Key evidence for a Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis 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 8517 | 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517 | 

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

Musculocutaneous Nerve Paralysis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8517 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8517 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30%). 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 musculocutaneous nerve causing biceps weakness and lateral forearm sensory loss.

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

Mild incomplete paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve — sensory disturbance over lateral forearm, minimal elbow flexion weakness. Same 0% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity (DC 8517 has no compensable mild tier).

10%

Moderate incomplete paralysis. Same 10% rating for both dominant and non-dominant extremity.

20%

Severe incomplete paralysis — same 20% rating for both extremities. OR Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity (also 20%).

30%

Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Verbatim § 4.124a: "weakness but not loss of flexion of elbow and supination of forearm." (Note: even complete paralysis preserves some elbow flexion via brachioradialis innervated by the radial nerve.)

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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