EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Radiculopathy
DC 8520 | 38 CFR § 4.124a |
Radiculopathy is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8520 of 38 CFR § 4.124a across 5 severity tiers (80% -- Complete paralysis (major nerve, dominant) / 60% -- Severe incomplete paralysis / 40% -- Moderate incomplete paralysis / 20% -- Mild incomplete paralysis / 10% -- Mild (lower extremity)). 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
Nerve root compression causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating along the affected nerve distribution.
RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)
80% -- Complete paralysis (major nerve, dominant)
Complete paralysis of the affected nerve with total loss of function.
60% -- Severe incomplete paralysis
Severe incomplete paralysis with significant motor and sensory deficits.
40% -- Moderate incomplete paralysis
Moderate incomplete paralysis with measurable motor weakness and consistent sensory changes.
20% -- Mild incomplete paralysis
Mild incomplete paralysis with intermittent symptoms and minimal motor involvement.
10% -- Mild (lower extremity)
Mild incomplete paralysis with mild pain and numbness.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records
-Current medical diagnosis and treatment records
-Buddy/lay statements
-Prescription history
-Employment impact documentation
-Any relevant diagnostic testing
C&P EXAM TIPS (5)
1.Bring all relevant medical records and a written list of symptoms.
2.Report your worst days, not your best. The VA rates based on overall impairment.
3.Document how the condition affects daily activities, work, and relationships.
4.Mention all medications and their side effects.
5.Bring buddy statements from people who observe your symptoms.
INSIDE THE RATING DECISION
How Raters Evaluate Radiculopathy
10% to 40% Progression
Rating decisions show radiculopathy progressing from 10% (mild incomplete paralysis) to 20% (moderate) to 40% (moderately severe). The rater uses the C&P examiner's characterization of nerve involvement severity. Each step requires the examiner to document worsening nerve damage.
Why 60% Gets Denied
Raters write: a higher evaluation of 60 percent is not warranted for paralysis of the sciatic nerve unless the evidence shows nerve damage is severe with marked muscular atrophy (38 C.F.R. 4.120, 4.124a). The key phrase is marked muscular atrophy - visible muscle wasting that can be measured.
Bilateral Factor
When both lower extremities have radiculopathy, the bilateral factor under 38 C.F.R. 4.26 adds 10% to the combined value. Bilateral 40% radiculopathy is significantly more valuable than a single 40% rating.
What This Means
Every spine C&P exam includes a radiculopathy screening. If you have any numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness radiating into your legs, report it. Each extremity is rated separately. The examiner must characterize severity as mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026