What are the VA rating percentages for Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy (DC 8520) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% under 38 CFR § 4.124a. Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 10% for Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a (DC 8520), a 10% rating for Radiculopathy requires: Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 20% for Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a (DC 8520), a 20% rating for Radiculopathy requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 40% for Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a (DC 8520), a 40% rating for Radiculopathy requires: Moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

What rates 60% for Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a (DC 8520), a 60% rating for Radiculopathy requires: Severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, with marked muscular atrophy.

What happens during a C&P exam for Radiculopathy?

Bring all relevant medical records and a written list of symptoms. Report your worst days, not your best. The VA rates based on overall impairment.

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Radiculopathy

Q: What rates 80% for Radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a (DC 8520), a 80% rating for Radiculopathy requires: Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve: the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.

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

Key evidence for a Radiculopathy claim includes: Service treatment records; Current medical diagnosis and treatment records; Buddy/lay statements; Prescription history; Employment impact documentation. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 852038 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8520

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

10–80%

5 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 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 (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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Nerve root compression causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating along the affected nerve distribution.

Rating Criteria

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 of the sciatic nerve, with marked muscular atrophy.

80%

Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve: the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records

—Current medical diagnosis and treatment records

—Buddy/lay statements

—Prescription history

—Employment impact documentation

—Any relevant diagnostic testing

04C&P Exam Tips

1Bring all relevant medical records and a written list of symptoms.

2Report your worst days, not your best. The VA rates based on overall impairment.

3Document how the condition affects daily activities, work, and relationships.

4Mention all medications and their side effects.

5Bring 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.

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Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

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 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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