VA Rating for Radiculopathy: Sciatic, Femoral and Radicular Nerve Codes, 2026 Pay
The CFR has no diagnostic code named for radiculopathy; it is rated under the code for the nerve affected. This page prints the tables for diagnostic codes (DC) 8520, 8620, 8720, 8526, 8510, 8511 and 8512 in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The first table below, the sciatic nerve, DC 8520, has 5 levels: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%; 4 more tables follow, one for each of the other codes. Each table quotes its levels word for word from the current CFR text and adds a one-line summary; the 2026 monthly compensation figures are VA's published rates for every rating in these tables.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Criteria checked against the eCFR and Federal Register October 26, 2026 · Methodology & sources
Radiculopathy rating criteria in 38 CFR § 4.124a
Diagnostic codes: DC 8520 Paralysis of: Sciatic nerve; DC 8620 Neuritis: Sciatic nerve; DC 8720 Neuralgia: Sciatic nerve; DC 8526 Paralysis of: Anterior crural nerve (femoral); DC 8510 Paralysis of: Upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals); DC 8511 Paralysis of: Middle radicular group; DC 8512 Paralysis of: Lower radicular group. Criteria are quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary and is not part of the regulation.
Section lead-in (quotation). Printed once at the start of the peripheral nerve tables, above DC 8510 (the first table); its own words say it covers "this and other peripheral nerve injuries".
The term “incomplete paralysis,” with this and other peripheral nerve injuries, indicates a degree of lost or impaired function substantially less than the type picture for complete paralysis given with each nerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partial regeneration. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateral involvement; when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor.
| Rating | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% |
| Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
| 20% |
| Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 40% |
| Incomplete paralysis, moderately severe. |
| 60% |
| Incomplete paralysis, severe, with marked muscular atrophy. |
| 80% | Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost | Complete paralysis: the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost. |
Anterior crural nerve (femoral): 8526 Paralysis of:
Another rating table of 38 CFR § 4.124a that this page covers. Quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary.
| Rating | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% |
| Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
| 20% |
| Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 30% |
| Incomplete paralysis, severe. |
| 40% | Complete; paralysis of quadriceps extensor muscles | Complete paralysis of the quadriceps extensor muscles. |
Upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals): 8510 Paralysis of:
Another rating table of 38 CFR § 4.124a that this page covers. Quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary.
| Major | Minor | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 20% |
| Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
| 40% | 30% |
| Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 50% | 40% |
| Incomplete paralysis, severe. |
| 70% | 60% | Complete; all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected | Complete paralysis: all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected. |
Middle radicular group: 8511 Paralysis of:
Another rating table of 38 CFR § 4.124a that this page covers. Quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary.
| Major | Minor | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 20% |
| Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
| 40% | 30% |
| Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 50% | 40% |
| Incomplete paralysis, severe. |
| 70% | 60% | Complete; adduction, abduction and rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected | Complete paralysis: adduction, abduction and rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected. |
Lower radicular group: 8512 Paralysis of:
Another rating table of 38 CFR § 4.124a that this page covers. Quoted from the current CFR; the plain-English column is our summary.
| Major | Minor | Criteria as printed in 38 CFR (quotation) | In plain English (our summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 20% |
| Incomplete paralysis, mild. |
| 40% | 30% |
| Incomplete paralysis, moderate. |
| 50% | 40% |
| Incomplete paralysis, severe. |
| 70% | 60% | Complete; all intrinsic muscles of hand, and some or all of flexors of wrist and fingers, paralyzed (substantial loss of use of hand) | Complete paralysis: all intrinsic muscles of hand, and some or all of flexors of wrist and fingers, paralyzed (substantial loss of use of hand). |
2026 VA monthly pay at each radiculopathy rating
| Rating | Veteran alone | With spouse |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 20% | $356.66 | Same as alone; spouse amounts start at 30% |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 |
VA does not add ratings together. When a veteran has more than one rated condition, VA combines them with its combined ratings table (38 CFR § 4.25), so the amounts above apply to a combined rating, not to this condition alone. Work out a combined rating with the VA disability calculator at /va-disability-calculator/.
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How the criteria are written
There is no diagnostic code named "radiculopathy" in 38 CFR Part 4. The nerve table in § 4.124a lists the sciatic nerve (DC 8520), the anterior crural (femoral) nerve (DC 8526) and the upper, middle and lower radicular groups (DC 8510 to 8512; the upper group is the fifth and sixth cervicals).
VA's DBQs connect the two. The Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) DBQ has a radiculopathy section that asks which nerve roots are involved: "Involvement of L2/L3/L4 nerve roots (femoral nerve)" and "Involvement of L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots (sciatic nerve)". The Neck (Cervical Spine) DBQ asks about the C5/C6 nerve roots (upper radicular group), the C7 nerve root (middle radicular group) and the C8/T1 nerve roots (lower radicular group). This page does not go beyond what those forms and the CFR text say about which nerve a claim is rated under.
Note (1) of the spine General Rating Formula says to evaluate associated objective neurologic abnormalities separately under an appropriate diagnostic code; the back pain page prints the whole formula.
The lead-in printed at the start of the peripheral nerve tables (above DC 8510, so before the radicular group tables) applies to "this and other peripheral nerve injuries". It says "incomplete paralysis" means a degree of lost or impaired function substantially less than complete paralysis, and that "When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree." Both spine DBQs carry a note to the same effect for radiculopathy.
DC 8620 (neuritis) and DC 8720 (neuralgia) have no rows of their own; the FAQ below quotes § 4.123 and § 4.124. The radicular group tables have two rating columns, headed Major and Minor; the median nerve page quotes § 4.69 on the dominant hand.
CFR Appendix A has no entry for any of these codes. The neurological section is the subject of a proposed rule (89 FR 88917) that has not been finalized; the criteria on this page are the current CFR text.
VA publishes Disability Benefits Questionnaires for this area (benefits.va.gov): Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) DBQ · Neck (Cervical Spine) DBQ · Peripheral Nerves DBQ.
Is this the current rule?
Source text. § 4.124a Schedule of ratings—neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. from the eCFR (38 CFR Part 4), text up to date as of October 22, 2026, retrieved October 26, 2026. Read the section on eCFR.
Latest final rule affecting the section. 79 FR 2099 (final rule), VA Compensation Service and Pension and Fiduciary Service Nomenclature Changes, published January 13, 2014, effective January 13, 2014. Latest entry in the section's amendment history in the eCFR.
- Appendix A (table of amendments since 1946) has no entry for DC 8520, 8620, 8720, 8526, 8510, 8511, 8512.
Upcoming changes. Our Federal Register search on October 26, 2026 found no final rule for this section with an effective date after that day.
Proposed rule (not law). VA proposed a revision of the neurological conditions section on November 12, 2024 (89 FR 88917). It is only a proposal: it has not been finalized, so the CFR text above is the rule that applies and no proposed criteria are shown here. 89 FR 88917
Related conditions
- Back pain (spine): The spine General Rating Formula, whose Note (1) sends associated neurologic abnormalities to separate evaluation.
- Peripheral neuropathy: The same nerve tables, with the other lower-extremity nerves and the radial, median and ulnar nerves.
- Carpal tunnel: The median nerve, rated in the same peripheral nerve table as the radicular groups.
- All VA disability ratings by condition
Questions about the Radiculopathy rating
What diagnostic code does VA use for radiculopathy?
There is no diagnostic code named "radiculopathy" in 38 CFR Part 4. VA's Back and Neck DBQs ask which nerve roots are involved, and the CFR lists the nerves they point to: DC 8520 for the sciatic nerve, DC 8526 for the anterior crural (femoral) nerve and DC 8510 to 8512 for the radicular groups. The codes printed on this page are those tables, not a complete list of the nerve codes in § 4.124a. Which code and level apply to a claim is for VA to decide.
What are the VA rating levels for radiculopathy?
The first table on this page, the sciatic nerve, DC 8520, has 5 levels: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%. The other diagnostic codes of radiculopathy have their own tables on this page with their own levels. VA decides which code and level applies to a claim.
How much is VA disability pay for a radiculopathy rating in 2026?
VA's 2026 monthly rates for a veteran alone, with the with-spouse amount for 30% and higher, are 10%: $180.42; 20%: $356.66; 30%: $552.47 ($617.47 with a spouse); 40%: $795.84 ($882.84 with a spouse); 50%: $1,132.90 ($1,241.90 with a spouse); 60%: $1,435.02 ($1,566.02 with a spouse); 70%: $1,808.45 ($1,961.45 with a spouse); 80%: $2,102.15 ($2,277.15 with a spouse). Rates took effect December 1, 2025. The amount you are paid depends on your combined rating, not on this condition alone.
Are ratings for radiculopathy added to my other ratings?
No. VA does not add ratings together; it combines them using the combined ratings table in 38 CFR § 4.25. Use the VA disability calculator on this site at /va-disability-calculator/ to see how ratings combine.
Is radiculopathy rated under the spine formula?
Note (1) of the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine in § 4.71a says: "Evaluate any associated objective neurologic abnormalities, including, but not limited to, bowel or bladder impairment, separately, under an appropriate diagnostic code." The nerve tables on this page are the neurological entries in § 4.124a. Which code applies to a claim is for VA to decide.
Which nerve code goes with lower-back radiculopathy?
VA's Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) DBQ asks whether the L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots (sciatic nerve) or the L2/L3/L4 nerve roots (femoral nerve) are involved. The CFR lists the sciatic nerve as DC 8520 and the anterior crural (femoral) nerve as DC 8526.
How are neuritis and neuralgia of a nerve rated?
Section 4.123 says: "Neuritis, cranial or peripheral, characterized by loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain, at times excruciating, is to be rated on the scale provided for injury of the nerve involved, with a maximum equal to severe, incomplete, paralysis. See nerve involved for diagnostic code number and rating. The maximum rating which may be assigned for neuritis not characterized by organic changes referred to in this section will be that for moderate, or with sciatic nerve involvement, for moderately severe, incomplete paralysis." Section 4.124 says: "Neuralgia, cranial or peripheral, characterized usually by a dull and intermittent pain, of typical distribution so as to identify the nerve, is to be rated on the same scale, with a maximum equal to moderate incomplete paralysis."
Does this page decide my VA rating?
No. FedRateCalc is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This page quotes the rating schedule and VA's published rates for information only; it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides the rating and the payment.