How the VA Rates Radiculopathy

The rating levels

Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.124a — DC 8520-8524 (sciatic, common peroneal, superficial peroneal, deep peroneal, tibial nerves) / DC 8710-8715 (neuralgia: upper, middle, lower, and all radicular groups; radial; median); 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.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

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

   $1,435.02/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): severe incomplete paralysis, with marked muscular atrophy. (Neuritis is capped at severe incomplete paralysis under § 4.123; without organic changes, sciatic neuritis is capped at moderately severe.)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Near-complete weakness of the muscles below the knee
   • Marked muscle atrophy
   • Unable to perform functional activities in affected limb
3. 40%

   $795.84/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic): moderately severe incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8521 (common peroneal) or 8524 (tibial): complete paralysis (their maximum). OR DC 8710–8713 (radicular group neuralgia): moderate on the MAJOR (dominant) side — 40%, the neuralgia maximum (§ 4.124).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Significant weakness in affected distribution (foot drop, arm weakness)
   • Muscle atrophy measurable on exam
   • Inability to stand or walk for more than brief periods
4. 30%

   $552.47/month

   DC 8521 (common peroneal) or 8524 (tibial): severe incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8522 / 8523: complete paralysis (their maximum). OR DC 8710–8713 (radicular group neuralgia): moderate on the MINOR side — 30%, the neuralgia maximum. OR DC 8714 (radial neuralgia) or 8715 (median neuralgia): moderate on the MAJOR (dominant) side — 30%, the neuralgia maximum.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Marked weakness in the affected distribution
   • Weakness lifting the foot or pushing off, or moderate arm/hand weakness
5. 20%

   $356.66/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic), 8521 (common peroneal), or 8524 (tibial): moderate incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8522 / 8523: severe incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8710, 8711, 8712, 8713 (radicular group neuralgia) or 8714 (radial neuralgia): mild — 20% major / 20% minor. OR DC 8714 or 8715: moderate on the MINOR (non-dominant) side — 20%, their neuralgia maximum for the minor arm.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Constant or near-constant radiating pain
   • Mild weakness in affected limb muscles
   • Reflex loss (knee jerk, ankle jerk, biceps reflex)
   • Difficulty with prolonged walking or standing due to leg pain
6. 10%

   $180.42/month

   DC 8520 (sciatic), 8521 (common peroneal), or 8524 (tibial): mild incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8522 / 8523: moderate incomplete paralysis. OR DC 8715 (median neuralgia): mild — 10% major / 10% minor. 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

   • Occasional tingling or numbness radiating from the spine
   • Intermittent electric shock sensations
   • No weakness or drop foot
   • Symptoms provoked by certain positions
7. 0%

   $0/month (0% is still service-connected)

   DC 8522 (superficial peroneal) or DC 8523 (deep peroneal / anterior tibial): mild incomplete paralysis.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Mild sensory symptoms over the top or outside of the foot

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.