United States · VA disability · 38 CFR 4.124a
VA diagnostic code 8520: sciatic nerve.
Rating criteria for diagnostic code 8520, quoted from the regulation.
DC 8520 rates paralysis of the sciatic nerve at 10 (mild), 20 (moderate), 40 (moderately severe), 60 (severe, with marked muscular atrophy) or 80 percent (complete). Neuritis (8620) and neuralgia (8720) are rated on this scale with lower maximums.
The short version
DC 8520 rates paralysis of the sciatic nerve at 10 (mild), 20 (moderate), 40 (moderately severe), 60 (severe, with marked muscular atrophy) or 80 percent (complete). Neuritis (8620) and neuralgia (8720) are rated on this scale with lower maximums. The levels in the code are 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 percent.
DC 8520 rating criteria
Sciatic nerve: paralysis of
| Criteria (quoted from the regulation) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost | 80% |
| Incomplete: Severe, with marked muscular atrophy | 60% |
| Incomplete: Moderately severe | 40% |
| Incomplete: Moderate | 20% |
| Incomplete: Mild | 10% |
Notes in the regulation
- Related codes in the same section: 8620 Neuritis. 8720 Neuralgia.
How to read DC 8520
DC 8520 is in the peripheral nerves part of the neurological schedule (38 CFR 4.124a). It is a graded scale: the nerve is either completely paralyzed (80 percent) or incompletely paralyzed, and the incomplete levels are labelled only by severity words: mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe with marked muscular atrophy. Those words are not defined by numbers in the code; the rating decision applies them to the findings.
The sciatic nerve listing ends with 8620 (Neuritis) and 8720 (Neuralgia), which carry no criteria of their own. Section 4.123 says neuritis is rated on the scale for the nerve involved, with a maximum equal to severe incomplete paralysis (or, for the sciatic nerve, moderately severe if there are no organic changes as described there). Section 4.124 says neuralgia is rated on the same scale with a maximum equal to moderate incomplete paralysis.
Nerve conditions are often rated alongside a back or hip condition; if more than one rating applies, the combined rating rules decide the total. See the combined rating calculator for how separate percentages combine.
What this page does not do
It does not diagnose, pick a diagnostic code, estimate your rating or advise on a claim. Every rating decision depends on the medical evidence and on VA’s application of the full schedule, including provisions this page does not reproduce.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rating levels for DC 8520?
Ten percent for mild incomplete paralysis, 20 for moderate, 40 for moderately severe, 60 for severe with marked muscular atrophy, and 80 for complete paralysis (38 CFR 4.124a).
What does complete paralysis mean in the code?
The text describes it as the foot dangling and dropping, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, and flexion of the knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.
Is there a 100 percent level for DC 8520?
No. The highest level in the code is 80 percent.
How are neuritis and neuralgia of the sciatic nerve rated?
Under 38 CFR 4.123, neuritis is rated on the scale for injury of the nerve involved, with a maximum equal to severe incomplete paralysis, or moderately severe for the sciatic nerve when it is not characterized by organic changes. Under 4.124, neuralgia is rated on the same scale with a maximum equal to moderate incomplete paralysis.
Are mild, moderate and severe defined with numbers?
No. The code uses those words without numeric thresholds, and the rating decision applies them to the medical findings.
Does this page say what rating I should get?
No. It reproduces the published criteria. VA decides the diagnosis and the rating, and this page is not medical or claim advice.
Sources
Read directly from the primary sources below on November 2, 2026 (eCFR text current through October 29, 2026). Quotations are the regulation text; anything labelled as a reading or calculation is TNAADO's. The schedule is amended from time to time, so check the linked section for the latest text.
- 38 CFR 4.123 Neuritis, cranial or peripheral (read November 2, 2026)
- 38 CFR 4.124 Neuralgia, cranial or peripheral (read November 2, 2026)
- 38 CFR 4.124a, diagnostic code 8520 (eCFR, current through October 29, 2026; read November 2, 2026)
- VA, About VA disability ratings (read November 2, 2026)
- 38 CFR Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities (eCFR; read November 2, 2026)
Reference, not a VA determination, medical advice or claim advice
Rating criteria summarized from 38 CFR 4.124a as of October 29, 2026 (eCFR). This page reproduces published criteria so you can read them; it does not tell you whether you qualify, what your rating should be, or how to file. VA decides the diagnosis, the code and the rating. It is not legal, financial or medical advice; an accredited representative (VSO, attorney or claims agent) can review your case.