How the VA Rates Radiculopathy, Cervical

The rating levels

Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.124a — DC 8510 (upper radicular group, fifth and sixth cervicals), 8511 (middle radicular group), 8512 (lower radicular group), 8513 (all radicular groups); neuritis 8610–8613 and neuralgia 8710–8713 on the same scales, capped by §§ 4.123 and 4.124; Major/Minor column by § 4.69 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. 90%

   $2,362.30/month

   Complete paralysis of all radicular groups (DC 8513) — MAJOR (dominant) arm. (Paralysis code only: neuritis and neuralgia are capped below complete paralysis.)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Complete paralysis, all radicular groups, major arm
2. 80%

   $2,102.15/month

   Complete paralysis of all radicular groups (DC 8513) — MINOR (non-dominant) arm. (Paralysis code only: neuritis and neuralgia are capped below complete paralysis.)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Complete paralysis, all radicular groups, minor arm
3. 70%

   $1,808.45/month

   Complete paralysis — MAJOR (dominant) arm, upper, middle or lower radicular group. DC 8510: all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected. DC 8511: adduction, abduction and rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected. DC 8512: all intrinsic muscles of hand, and some or all of flexors of wrist and fingers, paralyzed (substantial loss of use of hand). OR severe incomplete paralysis — MAJOR arm, all radicular groups (DC 8513).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Complete paralysis of one radicular group, major arm
   • OR severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups, major arm (DC 8513)
4. 60%

   $1,435.02/month

   Complete paralysis — MINOR (non-dominant) arm, upper, middle or lower radicular group (DC 8510, 8511 or 8512). OR severe incomplete paralysis — MINOR arm, all radicular groups (DC 8513).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Complete paralysis, minor arm (DC 8510–8512)
   • OR severe incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups, minor arm (DC 8513)
5. 50%

   $1,132.90/month

   Severe incomplete paralysis — MAJOR (dominant) arm, upper, middle or lower radicular group (DC 8510, 8511 or 8512). Neuritis characterized by loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances and constant pain is capped at severe incomplete paralysis (§ 4.123): 50% major / 40% minor under DC 8610–8612.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Severe incomplete paralysis, major arm (DC 8510–8512)
6. 40%

   $795.84/month

   Moderate incomplete paralysis — MAJOR (dominant) arm, any radicular group (DC 8510–8513); for neuralgia (DC 8710–8713) this is the maximum (§ 4.124). OR severe incomplete paralysis — MINOR arm, upper, middle or lower radicular group (DC 8510, 8511 or 8512).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Moderate incomplete paralysis, major arm
   • OR severe incomplete paralysis, minor arm (DC 8510–8512)
7. 30%

   $552.47/month

   Moderate incomplete paralysis — MINOR (non-dominant) arm, any radicular group (DC 8510–8513). For neuralgia (DC 8710–8713) this is the maximum on the minor arm (§ 4.124).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Moderate incomplete paralysis, minor arm
8. 20%

   $356.66/month

   Mild incomplete paralysis — 20% for the major (dominant) or minor (non-dominant) arm, under any radicular group (DC 8510, 8511, 8512 or 8513). When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree (§ 4.124a).

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Mild incomplete paralysis
   • 20% on either arm
   • Wholly sensory involvement is rated mild, or at most moderate

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.