VA Disability Ratings for Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is a common condition that impacts veterans. It often results from injuries, diseases, or exposures to toxins during military service.

This article explains how the VA rates different types of nerve damage, the implications for additional benefits, and how to connect secondary conditions for higher ratings.

How VA Rates Nerve Damage 

There are three categories that a nerve condition can be rated under:

1. Paralysis of the nerve

• Complete paralysis: The nerve is completely paralyzed, and the affected body part cannot function at all.
• Incomplete (severe) paralysis: The nerve is not completely paralyzed, and there are symptoms such as poor blood circulation and muscle atrophy.

These symptoms seriously limit the body part’s ability to function.

• Incomplete (moderate) paralysis: The nerve is not completely paralyzed, and symptoms include tingling, numbness, and moderate pain.

These symptoms seriously limit the body part’s ability to function.

• Incomplete (mild) paralysis: The nerve is not completely paralyzed, and the only symptoms present are tingling or mild pain.

2. Neuritis

The nerve can still function, but it is swollen, irritated, and very painful. Neuritis of the nerve involves at least one of the following: 

1. A decreased ability to sense
2. Muscle atrophy 
3. Loss of reflexes

There are several degrees of neuritis:

• Severe: All three symptoms are present, and seriously limit the affected body part’s ability to function. 
• Moderate: One or more of the main symptoms significantly interfere with the affected body part’s ability to function.
• Mild: One or more of the main symptoms are present but do not significantly interfere with function.

3. Neuralgia

The nerve causes occasional or constant pain. Additional symptoms may include tingling and numbness. Neuralgia can be: 

• Moderate – Symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and moderate to severe pain which definitely and significantly interfere with the affected body part’s ability to function. 
• Mild – Symptoms such as tingling or mild pain.

There may also be slight or mild limitations involving the movement of the affected body part, but the limitations do not really affect the body part’s overall functioning.

Summary of the Rating Categories

Category	Definition	Key Rating Factors
Paralysis	Most severe; the nerve cannot send signals to the body part.	Ranges from Mild to Complete.
Neuritis	The nerve functions but is inflamed, swollen, and very painful.	Rated on loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, and sensory loss.
Neuralgia	Nerve pain that is constant or occasional, often with tingling.	Typically rated from Mild to Moderate.

Are Nerve Condition Ratings Affected by the Specific Nerve?

All nerve conditions are rated according to the above categories, but the ultimate rating assigned to a nerve condition depends on the actual nerve affected. 

For instance, if a veteran has radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, the VA will determine which category best approximates the veteran’s symptoms and then review the rating criteria for that category. 

Key Rating Factors

1. Category: The VA first decides whether the condition should be rated under paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia
2. Severity: The VA decides the corresponding level of severity. How much does the condition interfere with your life?
3. The Specific Nerve: the VA considers the actual nerve affected.

The Bilateral Factor

When checking whether you’ve received the correct rating for your nerve condition, be sure to confirm that the VA applied the bilateral factor. 

If your nerve condition affects both sides of the body, you should receive a separate rating for each side affected, along with receiving the additional bilateral factor. 

For example, if your nerve condition affects both legs, you should have a rating for each leg, and the bilateral factor should be applied to your overall combined rating. 

What if you have limited motion and a separate nerve condition?

Ratings for nerve conditions are based on the loss of function of the affected body part. This becomes especially important when looking at the paralysis ratings. 

For the condition to be rated as completely paralyzed, the affected body part must be paralyzed. So, if a nerve in the shoulder is completely paralyzed, but the shoulder can still move, then it would be rated under one of the incomplete paralysis criteria. 

However, if the shoulder cannot move the arm or function at all, the nerve condition will be rated as paralysis. 

• The Higher Rating Rule: You can be rated for nerve condition (under paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia) or limited motion— whichever results in the higher rating.  
• One Rating: If the limited motion is a result of the nerve condition, you can only receive one rating. 

This means you cannot receive a rating under one of the three nerve categories AND under limited motion; 

• Separate Ratings:  If the limited motion is NOT caused by the nerve condition, you can receive two separate ratings (one for the nerve condition and one for the limited motion).

What Is the VA Rating for Nerve Damage by Type of Nerve? 

1. Spinal Nerve Damage

Spinal nerve damage, or radiculopathy, is caused by nerve compression in the spine. This leads to:

• Pain that radiates from the spine to the limbs.
• Numbness or weakness in the extremities.

What Is the VA Rating for Spinal Nerve Damage? 

VA ratings for spinal nerve damage can range from 10% to 60%, based on the extent of functional impairment. 

2. Cranial Nerve Damage

Damage to cranial nerves can affect facial muscles, vision, hearing, and swallowing. The VA ratings for cranial nerve damage range from 0% to 60%. This depends on the specific cranial nerve affected and the degree of functional loss.

3. Peripheral Nerve Damage

Peripheral nerve damage affects nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include pain and sensory loss. It is rated by VA from 10% to 100% in severe cases, based on the impact on motor function and daily activities.

Rating Peripheral Nerve Damage Correctly

Peripheral nerves travel from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Disability claims involving nerves in the lower back and legs are complex because large nerves split into smaller nerves as they move down the leg. 

Peripheral Nerves in the Lower Back That Can Be Rated for VA Disability

Nerve	Key Functions & Movement	Notes
Sciatic Nerve	– The largest single nerve in the body. – Connects the spinal cord to the leg and foot muscles.	Runs from each side of the lower spine through the buttocks to the foot.
Tibial Nerve	Controls pointing and flexing the foot, turning the foot so the toes point inward, spreading and closing the toes, and curling the toes.	– Branches from the sciatic nerve just above the knee. – It goes down the back of the leg and then around the ankle to ultimately pass through the tarsal tunnel into the inner foot.
Posterior Tibial Nerve	Controls turning the foot inward so that the toes point inward, pointing and flexing the toes, spreading and closing the toes, and curling the toes.	– Begins where the tibial nerve curves around the ankle. – Goes through the tarsal tunnel on the inside of the ankle and into the arch of the foot.
Common Peroneal Nerve	Controls pointing and flexing the foot, turning the feet outward, and turning the feet so you can stand on the outer edge of the foot.	– Splits off from the sciatic nerve above the knee.  – It then goes around the kneecap and down the front of the shin.
Deep Peroneal Nerve	Controls pointing and flexing of toes and turning the feet, so you stand on the outer edge.	Branches off from the common peroneal nerve right below the knee where it then goes down the leg into the foot and toes.
Superficial Peroneal Nerve	Similar to the deep peroneal; controls toe flexing and outward foot turns.	Breaks off from the common peroneal nerve right below the knee, down the outside of the leg, and into the foot and toes.
Ilioguinal Nerve	Provides feeling to the skin in the upper thigh and groin.	Branches off from the spinal cord in the low back and then curves around the hips to the abdomen, and finally ends in the groin
Obturator Nerve	Assists with lifting the leg, crossing legs, and turning the hip.	Branches off from the spinal cord in the lower back and goes down the leg into the inner thigh.
Femoral Nerve	Controls kicking forward, straightening the knee, and lifting the torso.	Travels around the hip and down the thigh.
Internal Saphenous Nerve	Provides feeling to the inner thigh, calf, and top of the foot.	Branches off the femoral nerve.
Lateral Femoral Cutaneous	Provides feeling to the skin in the front and back of the thigh.	Goes into the front and back of the thigh.

Peripheral Nerves of the Upper Body

The peripheral nerves in the upper back and neck go into the shoulders and arms. 

1. Radial Nerve: One of the most significant nerves in the shoulder, arm, and hand.

It controls bending the elbow, turning the forearm up or down, lifting the hand upward at the wrist, turning the hand from side to side, and moving the thumb straight away from the palm.

2. Median Nerve: Found in the forearm and hand and passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. It is the nerve affected by carpal tunnel syndrome.

It’s responsible for turning the forearm up or down, curling the fingers, and bending the hand down at the wrist.

3. Ulnar Nerve: One of the biggest nerves in the arm, passing behind the elbow, through the wrist, and to the little finger and ring fingers.

It controls curling the fingers, bending the hand down at the wrist, opening and closing the fingers, and lifting the hand upward.

4. Musculocutaneous Nerve: Found in the arm. It assists other nerves control movements in the elbow and forearm.

5. Axillary Nerve: Controls the deltoid and teres minor muscles in the upper arm.

6. Long Thoracic Nerve: Controls the muscles in the rib cage underneath the arm.

It is responsible for lifting overhead, throwing, punching, and other movements involving the scapula. The long thoracic nerve also plays a role in expanding the ribs when breathing.

Radicular Group Ratings

As with all nerve conditions, the VA looks at which specific nerve is affected in order to rate the condition. 

However, if an entire group of nerves is affected, for instance the peripheral nerves of the upper back/neck and the arms, the VA rates the condition by the radicular group. 

• Upper Radicular Group: Includes the long thoracic, median, radial, musculocutaneous, axillary, and all nerves that offshoot from these.

Affects the raising and lowering the arm to the side, bending the elbow, turning the forearm up or down, and rotating the arm away from the body.

• Middle Radicular Group: Includes the long thoracic, musculocutaneous, median, and radial nerves.

Controls raising the arm to the side, lifting the hand up at the wrist, bending the elbow, and turning the forearm up or down.

• Lower Radicular Group: Includes the radial, median, and ulnar nerves.

Controls the ability to bend the hand up at the wrist, turn the hand from side to side at the wrist, curl the fingers, bend the hand down at the wrist, open and close the fingers, and move the thumb straight away from the palm of the hand.

Critical Rating Considerations

Each peripheral nerve of the upper back/neck and the arms contains its own diagnostic codes for rating purposes. 

• Specific Nerve Vs. Group: If only a couple of nerves in one of the radicular groups are affected, the condition should be rated according to the specific nerve affected.

If all or most of the nerves in a particular radicular group are affected, the VA will rate the condition according to the radicular group affected (upper, middle, or lower). 

• Dominance: For upper peripheral nerves, the VA considers whether the affected side is the your dominant arm/hand.
• Limitation of Motion: The peripheral nerves of the upper back/neck and arms are associated with limited motion in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and fingers.  

The Top 2 Nerve Disabilities

In the video below, attorney Rachel Cheek breaks down the most common types of nerve damage for which veterans can get VA disability: radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy.

If you have nerve damage caused by military service and the VA has denied or underrated you, our legal team may be able to help.

GET A FREE CASE EVALUATION

Maximizing Nerve Damage Ratings and Benefits 

Nerve damage can lead to secondary health issues, which can also be rated by the VA, potentially increasing overall disability ratings.

Secondary Conditions Related to Nerve Damage 

• Chronic pain syndrome 
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Bladder or bowel dysfunction 
• Psychological conditions like depression
• Skin conditions due to sensory loss 

TDIU for Severe Nerve Damage 

If your nerve damage severely limits your ability to work, you may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU). This designation allows for compensation at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined disability rating is lower. 

Veterans are encouraged to explore this option if their nerve damage prevents them from maintaining gainful employment.

Find Out If You Qualify for IU