How the VA Rates Peripheral Neuropathy

The rating levels

Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.124a — DC 8520 (sciatic nerve), 8521 (external popliteal / common peroneal nerve), 8530 (ilio-inguinal nerve), 8710 (neuralgia, upper radicular group — C5/C6), 8720 (neuralgia, sciatic nerve); caps in §§ 4.123 (neuritis) and 4.124 (neuralgia) for readability. Monthly amounts are the 2026 rate (effective December 1, 2025) for a veteran with no dependents if this were the only rated condition — dependents add more, and multiple conditions combine under the VA’s own math.

1. 80%

   $2,102.15/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): complete paralysis — the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost. (Paralysis codes only — neuritis and neuralgia cannot reach complete paralysis.)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Foot dangles and drops
   • No active movement of the muscles below the knee
   • Knee flexion weakened
2. 60%

   $1,435.02/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): severe incomplete paralysis, with marked muscular atrophy. (For sciatic neuritis, § 4.123 caps the rating at severe incomplete paralysis when there are organic changes; without them, at moderately severe.)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Severe muscle atrophy
   • Near-complete motor weakness in affected distribution
   • Cannot use affected limb for functional activities
   • Neuropathic pain severe and constant
3. 40%

   $795.84/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): moderately severe incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8521 (common peroneal): complete paralysis (foot drop and slight droop of first phalanges of all toes, cannot dorsiflex the foot) — 40% is the 8521 maximum. OR DC 8710 (upper radicular group neuralgia): moderate incomplete paralysis on the MAJOR (dominant) side — 40%, the neuralgia maximum (§ 4.124).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Significant muscle weakness limiting daily activities
   • Foot drop or significant gait impairment
   • Falls due to sensory and motor loss
4. 30%

   $552.47/month

   DC 8521 (common peroneal): severe incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8710 (upper radicular group neuralgia): moderate incomplete paralysis on the MINOR (non-dominant) side — 30%, the neuralgia maximum for the minor arm (§ 4.124).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Marked weakness lifting the foot/toes (peroneal), or
   • Moderate shoulder/elbow weakness or sensory loss in the C5–C6 distribution (non-dominant arm)
5. 20%

   $356.66/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): moderate incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8521 (common peroneal): moderate incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8720 (sciatic neuralgia): moderate — the maximum for neuralgia of the sciatic nerve (§ 4.124). OR DC 8710 (upper radicular group neuralgia): mild incomplete paralysis — 20% major / 20% minor.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Consistent numbness affecting balance or grip
   • Moderate weakness in affected limb
   • Difficulty with fine motor tasks (buttoning, gripping)
   • Frequent dropping objects
   • Gait unsteadiness due to sensory loss in feet
6. 10%

   $180.42/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): mild incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8521 (common peroneal): mild incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8530 (ilio-inguinal): severe to complete paralysis (10% is the maximum for 8530; mild or moderate is 0%). When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Numbness or tingling in the feet or legs
   • Occasional burning sensations
   • Mild loss of vibration sense
   • No weakness or atrophy

The listed symptoms are examples that appear in each level’s criteria — not a checklist that earns a percentage. Raters apply the criteria as a whole.