What rates 20% for Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (DC 8525), a 20% rating for Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis requires: Severe incomplete paralysis — persistent painful symptoms, intrinsic-foot muscle weakness, EMG-confirmed motor loss.

What happens during a C&P exam for Posterior Tibial 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.

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

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Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis

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

Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis (DC 8525) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525. Mild OR Moderate incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve. Note DC 8525 schedule maps Mild=Moderate=10% — paresthetic burning/tingling pain along the medial ankle and into the sole, possibly causalgic in character.

Q: What rates 10% for Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (DC 8525), a 10% rating for Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis requires: Mild OR Moderate incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve. Note DC 8525 schedule maps Mild=Moderate=10% — paresthetic burning/tingling pain along the medial ankle and into the sole, possibly causalgic in character.

Q: What rates 30% for Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 (DC 8525), a 30% rating for Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis requires: Complete paralysis. Verbatim § 4.124a: "paralysis of all muscles of sole of foot, frequently with painful paralysis of a causalgic nature; toes cannot be flexed; adduction is weakened; plantar flexion is impaired."

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

Key evidence for a Posterior Tibial 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 8525 | 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 | 

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

Posterior Tibial Nerve Paralysis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8525 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8525 across 3 severity tiers (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 posterior tibial nerve causing foot and ankle plantarflexion weakness and sole numbness.

RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)

10%

Mild OR Moderate incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve. Note DC 8525 schedule maps Mild=Moderate=10% — paresthetic burning/tingling pain along the medial ankle and into the sole, possibly causalgic in character.

20%

Severe incomplete paralysis — persistent painful symptoms, intrinsic-foot muscle weakness, EMG-confirmed motor loss.

30%

Complete paralysis. Verbatim § 4.124a: "paralysis of all muscles of sole of foot, frequently with painful paralysis of a causalgic nature; toes cannot be flexed; adduction is weakened; plantar flexion is impaired."

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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