What are the VA rating percentages for Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome (DC 8520) is rated at 40%, 20%, 10%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect). DC 8520 "Sciatic nerve, paralysis of: Incomplete, moderately severe, with marked muscular atrophy" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Severe chronic piriformis syndrome with documented gluteal / hamstring atrophy + EMG findings of sciatic denervation.

What happens during a C&P exam for Piriformis Syndrome?

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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Piriformis Syndrome

Q: What rates 40% for Piriformis Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect) (DC 8520), a 40% rating for Piriformis Syndrome requires: DC 8520 "Sciatic nerve, paralysis of: Incomplete, moderately severe, with marked muscular atrophy" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Severe chronic piriformis syndrome with documented gluteal / hamstring atrophy + EMG findings of sciatic denervation.

Q: What rates 20% for Piriformis Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect) (DC 8520), a 20% rating for Piriformis Syndrome requires: DC 8520 "Incomplete, moderate" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Persistent sciatic distribution pain + sensory loss + mild motor weakness; positive piriformis tests (Pace, FAIR test, Beatty maneuver).

Q: What rates 10% for Piriformis Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect) (DC 8520), a 10% rating for Piriformis Syndrome requires: DC 8520 "Incomplete, mild" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Intermittent sciatic-distribution paresthesias + tenderness over piriformis without motor deficit.

Q: What rates 0% for Piriformis Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect) (DC 8520), a 0% rating for Piriformis Syndrome requires: Piriformis syndrome diagnosed clinically without documented sciatic-distribution symptoms / motor findings / EMG confirmation. Pure muscle tenderness without nerve involvement may not rate compensably under DC 8520.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Piriformis Syndrome VA claim?

Key evidence for a Piriformis Syndrome 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 8520 | 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect) | 

Piriformis Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8520 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (Paralysis of sciatic nerve — piriformis syndrome is a NEUROPATHY, not a musculoskeletal condition; older entries citing DC 5299 are incorrect) across 4 severity tiers (40% / 20% / 10% / 0%). 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

Piriformis muscle spasm or hypertrophy compressing the sciatic nerve, causing deep buttock pain and radiating leg symptoms

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

40%

DC 8520 "Sciatic nerve, paralysis of: Incomplete, moderately severe, with marked muscular atrophy" = 40%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Severe chronic piriformis syndrome with documented gluteal / hamstring atrophy + EMG findings of sciatic denervation.

20%

DC 8520 "Incomplete, moderate" = 20%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Persistent sciatic distribution pain + sensory loss + mild motor weakness; positive piriformis tests (Pace, FAIR test, Beatty maneuver).

10%

DC 8520 "Incomplete, mild" = 10%. (Verbatim § 4.124a DC 8520.) Intermittent sciatic-distribution paresthesias + tenderness over piriformis without motor deficit.

Piriformis syndrome diagnosed clinically without documented sciatic-distribution symptoms / motor findings / EMG confirmation. Pure muscle tenderness without nerve involvement may not rate compensably under DC 8520.

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 reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

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NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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