Guide series
Radiculopathy and Nerve Conditions: Complete VA Claims Guide Series
Plain-English guides to radiculopathy, sciatica, and peripheral nerve VA disability claims: how nerve conditions are service connected, how the VA rates incomplete paralysis, neuritis, and neuralgia under 38 CFR 4.124a, sciatic and upper-extremity nerve codes, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy secondary to the back and neck, the peripheral nerves C&P exam, and the evidence each claim needs.
Overview
Start here: radiculopathy & nerve conditions basics.
Nerve claims are different from joint claims. The pain is not where the damage is. A compressed nerve root in the lower back sends burning down the back of the leg, and an irritated root in the neck sends numbness into the thumb or the little finger. Veterans often file for the spine, get a rating for limited motion, and never learn that the shooting pain down the limb is rated separately.
That separate rating is written into the schedule. The General Rating Formula for spine disabilities in 38 CFR 4.71a directs that associated objective neurologic abnormalities be evaluated separately under the appropriate diagnostic code, and the peripheral nerve codes live in 38 CFR 4.124a. For many veterans that one point is worth more than anything else in these guides.
The series below covers how nerve conditions are service connected, how the percentages are set, and what a claim file has to contain before the VA can grant anything.
Radiculopathy and VA Disability: How Service Connection Works
How radiculopathy and peripheral nerve conditions are service connected, how the VA rates incomplete paralysis under 38 CFR 4.124a, why nerve ratings are.
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12 min readNerve VA Rating: Peripheral Nerve Diagnostic Codes Explained
A plain-English walk through the peripheral nerve codes in 38 CFR 4.124a: the sciatic nerve at 8520, the femoral and peroneal nerves, the radicular groups.
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11 min readSciatica VA Rating: Diagnostic Code 8520 Explained
How the VA rates sciatica under Diagnostic Code 8520, what separates mild from moderate and moderately severe incomplete paralysis.
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11 min readPeripheral Neuropathy VA Rating: How the VA Evaluates Nerve Damage
How the VA rates peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, the diabetes secondary path under 38 CFR 3.310.
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10 min readCervical Radiculopathy VA Rating: Arm and Hand Nerve Claims
How the VA rates cervical radiculopathy through the radicular groups and arm nerve codes, why the dominant hand changes the percentage.
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10 min readRadiculopathy Secondary to Back and Neck Conditions
How radiculopathy is service connected as secondary to an already service-connected spine condition under 38 CFR 3.310.
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10 min readThe Peripheral Nerves C&P Exam: What to Expect
What happens at a peripheral nerves C&P exam, the sensory, reflex, and strength testing the examiner records, how flare-ups and bad days should be described.
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10 min readNerve Claim Evidence: What Belongs in the File
The documents that decide radiculopathy, sciatica, and peripheral neuropathy claims: diagnosis and imaging, objective neurologic findings, in-service history.
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Guides on Radiculopathy & Nerve Conditions
You have taken the first step - keep going.
You now know more about radiculopathy & nerve conditions than most veterans filing a claim. When you are ready to see what your records support, phone discussions are always free.