Radiculopathy VA Rating for Cervical and Lumbar Nerve Impairment

By Truth Veteran Benefits Desk · Reviewed by Truth Veteran Benefits Desk on October 25, 2026

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns a radiculopathy VA rating under 38 CFR 4.124a using peripheral nerve diagnostic codes rather than the spine rating formula. Cervical radiculopathy is rated under DCs 8510–8516 from 10% to 90% by nerve group, severity, and dominance, while lumbar radiculopathy is rated under DC 8520 (sciatic, 10%–80%) or DC 8526 (femoral, 10%–40%), with each limb rated separately.

Older veteran with cervical radiculopathy nerve symptoms seated at a kitchen table flexing his right hand and wrist

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How the VA evaluates radiculopathy under 38 CFR 4.124a

Radiculopathy—a pinched nerve root in the neck or lower back that sends pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness into the arms or legs—is one of the most common secondary grants in the VA disability ratings system. When determining a radiculopathy VA rating, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not use the musculoskeletal spine schedule. Instead, adjudicators evaluate nerve root compression under 38 CFR 4.124a (Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves), assigning separate percentages for each affected upper or lower extremity based on the specific nerve or radicular group involved and whether the impairment is mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, or complete.

Medically, radiculopathy occurs where a spinal nerve root exits the intervertebral foramen. Heavy load carriage, parachute landings, vehicle vibration, and training trauma frequently cause cervical or lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy, or foraminal stenosis. Although compression occurs inside the spine, the resulting neurological deficits travel along peripheral nerve pathways into the shoulders, arms, hands, thighs, calves, and feet.

Paralysis, neuritis, and neuralgia rating ceilings

Under 38 CFR 4.120, 4.123, 4.124, and 4.124a, peripheral nerve disabilities fall into three diagnostic series—the 8500 series (Paralysis), 8600 series (Neuritis), and 8700 series (Neuralgia)—all using the 8500 percentage tables in 38 CFR 4.124a:

Paralysis (DC 8510–8530 under 38 CFR 4.124a): Complete immobility is not required. The introductory note in 38 CFR 4.124a defines incomplete paralysis as “a degree of lost or impaired function substantially less than the type picture for complete paralysis given with each nerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partial regeneration.”
Neuritis (DC 8610–8630 under 38 CFR 4.123): Nerve inflammation “characterized by loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain, at times excruciating” is rated up to severe incomplete paralysis. Without those organic changes, the maximum rating is moderate (or moderately severe for the sciatic nerve).
Neuralgia (DC 8710–8730 under 38 CFR 4.124): Dull and intermittent nerve pain is capped at moderate incomplete paralysis.
Wholly sensory involvement rule (38 CFR 4.124a): “When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree.”

Key facts

Note 1 of the General Rating Formula for the Spine in 38 CFR 4.71a directs the VA to evaluate objective neurological abnormalities like radiculopathy separately from neck or back motion. Source
Cervical radiculopathy under DC 8510–8512 is rated at 20% (mild), 30% or 40% (moderate), 40% or 50% (severe), and 60% or 70% (complete) based on hand dominance. Source
Under 38 CFR 4.124a, peripheral nerve involvement that is wholly sensory is rated as mild, or at most moderate, incomplete paralysis. Source
Under 38 CFR 4.123 and 4.124, peripheral neuritis (DC 8610–8630) is capped at severe incomplete paralysis, and neuralgia (DC 8710–8730) is capped at moderate incomplete paralysis. Source
When radiculopathy affects paired extremities, 38 CFR 4.26 adds a 10% bilateral factor to the combined value of the paired limb ratings. Source

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Cervical radiculopathy VA rating criteria (upper extremities)

When cervical spine pathology compresses the C5, C6, C7, C8, or T1 nerve roots, symptoms radiate into the shoulder, arm, wrist, and fingers. Under 38 CFR 4.124a, upper extremity ratings depend on whether the affected arm is Major (dominant) or Minor (non-dominant). Under 38 CFR 4.69, only one hand is considered dominant, and for an ambidextrous veteran, the injured or most severely injured hand is considered dominant.

Upper extremity peripheral nerve rating table (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8510–8519)

Diagnostic Code & Nerve Group	Tier	Major	Minor	Criteria in 38 CFR 4.124a
DC 8510: Upper radicular group (5th and 6th cervicals; DC 8610 / 8710)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	70% / 50% / 40% / 20%	60% / 40% / 30% / 20%	Complete: all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected.
DC 8511: Middle radicular group (DC 8611 / 8711)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	70% / 50% / 40% / 20%	60% / 40% / 30% / 20%	Complete: adduction, abduction and rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected.
DC 8512: Lower radicular group (DC 8612 / 8712)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	70% / 50% / 40% / 20%	60% / 40% / 30% / 20%	Complete: all intrinsic muscles of hand, and some or all of flexors of wrist and fingers, paralyzed (substantial loss of use of hand).
DC 8513: All radicular groups (DC 8613 / 8713)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	90% / 70% / 40% / 20%	80% / 60% / 30% / 20%	Paralysis of upper, middle, and lower cervical radicular groups combined.
DC 8514: Musculospiral nerve (radial) (DC 8614 / 8714)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	70% / 50% / 30% / 20%	60% / 40% / 20% / 20%	Complete: drop of hand and fingers, wrist and fingers flexed, thumb adducted; cannot extend wrist, fingers, or thumb; grip impaired.
DC 8515: Median nerve (DC 8615 / 8715)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	70% / 50% / 30% / 10%	60% / 40% / 20% / 10%	Complete: hand inclined to ulnar side, index/middle fingers extended, thenar atrophy (“ape hand”), cannot make a fist, defective thumb opposition/abduction, weakened wrist flexion.
DC 8516: Ulnar nerve (DC 8616 / 8716)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	60% / 40% / 30% / 10%	50% / 30% / 20% / 10%	Complete: “griffin claw” deformity of ring and little fingers, marked dorsal interspace and thenar/hypothenar atrophy, cannot spread fingers or adduct thumb.
DC 8517–8519: Musculocutaneous (8517), Circumflex (8518), Long thoracic (8519)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	30–50% / 20–30% / 10% / 0%	20–40% / 20% / 10% / 0%	DC 8517 & 8519: 30%/20% complete, 20%/20% severe, 10% moderate, 0% mild. DC 8518: 50%/40% complete, 30%/20% severe, 10% moderate, 0% mild.

Why radicular group codes (DC 8510–8513) govern most cervical claims

The Note following Diagnostic Code 8519 in 38 CFR 4.124a states: “Combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement, or if sufficient in extent, consider radicular group ratings.” Because cervical nerve root compression typically affects multiple downstream nerve pathways in the arm rather than a single isolated peripheral nerve, VA adjudicators generally rate cervical radiculopathy under DC 8510, 8511, 8512, or 8513 rather than stacking separate radial, median, and ulnar ratings in the same arm. Under DC 8510–8513, a mild evaluation is 20% ($356.66 per month alone, effective 2025-12-01), and moderate is 40% major ($795.84 per month) or 30% minor ($552.47 per month)—higher than the 10% mild ($180.42 per month) and 30%/20% moderate tiers under DC 8515 or DC 8516.

Lumbar radiculopathy VA rating criteria (lower extremities)

When disc herniation, arthritis, or stenosis in the thoracolumbar spine compresses the lumbar or sacral nerve roots (L2 through S1), neurological symptoms radiate into the hip, thigh, knee, calf, and foot. Depending on which nerve roots are affected, the VA evaluates lower extremity radiculopathy under the sciatic nerve (DC 8520), the femoral / anterior crural nerve (DC 8526), or one of the lower-leg branches in 38 CFR 4.124a. For detailed guidance on L4–S1 sciatic claims, see our guide to the sciatica VA rating under DC 8520.

Lower extremity peripheral nerve rating table (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520–8530)

Diagnostic Code & Nerve	Tier	Rating	Criteria in 38 CFR 4.124a
DC 8520: Sciatic nerve (L4–S3 roots; DC 8620 / 8720)	Complete / Severe / Mod. severe / Moderate / Mild	80% / 60% / 40% / 20% / 10%	Complete (80%): foot dangles and drops, no active movement below the knee, knee flexion weakened or lost. Incomplete: Severe with marked muscular atrophy (60%), Moderately severe (40%), Moderate (20%), Mild (10%).
DC 8526: Anterior crural nerve (femoral) (L2–L4 roots; DC 8626 / 8726)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	40% / 30% / 20% / 10%	Complete (40%): paralysis of quadriceps extensor muscles. Incomplete: Severe (30%), Moderate (20%), Mild (10%).
DC 8521 & 8524: Common peroneal (8521) & Tibial (8524)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	40% / 30% / 20% / 10%	DC 8521 Complete: foot drop, cannot dorsiflex foot or extend toes, dorsum anesthesia. DC 8524 Complete: plantar flexion and toe flexion lost.
DC 8522 & 8523: Superficial peroneal (8522) & Deep peroneal (8523)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	30% / 20% / 10% / 0%	DC 8522 Complete: foot eversion weakened. DC 8523 Complete: dorsal flexion of foot lost.
DC 8525: Posterior tibial nerve (DC 8625 / 8725)	Complete / Severe / Moderate / Mild	30% / 20% / 10% / 10%	Complete: paralysis of all sole muscles, often painful causalgic paralysis; toes cannot flex; plantar flexion impaired.
DC 8527–8530: Internal saphenous, Obturator, External cutaneous, Ilio-inguinal	Severe to complete / Mild or moderate	10% / 0%	Severe to complete paralysis is rated at 10%. Mild or moderate incomplete paralysis is rated at 0%.

In the lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy can affect two distinct anatomical nerve trunks in the same leg: the femoral nerve (DC 8526, L2–L4), governing the anterior thigh, quadriceps extension, and patellar reflex; and the sciatic nerve (DC 8520, L4–S3), governing the posterior thigh, lower leg, foot, and Achilles reflex. When multilevel lumbar pathology produces distinct neurological deficits in both distributions, the VA can assign separate ratings for both DC 8520 and DC 8526 in the same leg.

How the C&P exam and Peripheral Nerves DBQ measure radiculopathy

During a C&P exam for cervical or lumbar nerve compression, the clinician completes the Peripheral Nerves Conditions (Not Including Diabetic Sensory-Motor Peripheral Neuropathy) Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), available on VA.gov’s Public DBQ portal (or the neurological sections of the Spine DBQ):

Medical history and symptoms (Sections II–III): Section II records the onset and course of the peripheral nerve condition and dominant hand (right, left, or ambidextrous), while Section III grades the location and severity (None, Mild, Moderate, or Severe) of constant pain, intermittent pain, paresthesias and/or dysesthesias, and numbness across each extremity.
Muscle strength (Section IV, Item 4A): Graded 0/5 to 5/5 (5/5 normal, 4/5 movement against some resistance, 3/5 against gravity only, 2/5 gravity eliminated, 1/5 trace contraction, 0/5 no movement) across elbow flexion/extension, wrist flexion/extension, grip, and pinch for cervical claims, and knee extension, ankle plantar flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion for lumbar claims. Weakness (4/5 or below) proves impairment is not wholly sensory.
Muscle atrophy (Section IV, Item 4B): Circumference in centimeters of the normal versus atrophied limb at maximum muscle bulk, required for a 60% rating under DC 8520 and organic neuritis under 38 CFR 4.123.
Reflexes, sensation, severity, and testing (Sections V–XV): Deep tendon reflexes (0 absent, 1+ hypoactive, 2+ normal, 3+ hyperactive without clonus, 4+ hyperactive with clonus) at the biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, knee, and ankle (Section V); dermatomal light-touch sensation (Section VI); trophic skin/hair changes (Section VII); gait (Section VIII); Phalen’s sign and Tinel’s sign for the median nerve (Section IX); nerve-by-nerve severity grading (Sections X–XI); assistive devices (Section XII); and electromyography (EMG) and other diagnostic test results (Section XV).

Service connection and secondary claims under 38 CFR 3.310

Radiculopathy can be service connected directly under 38 CFR 3.303 or secondarily under 38 CFR 3.310. Under Note (1) of the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine in 38 CFR 4.71a, the VA evaluates associated objective neurological abnormalities separately from spinal range of motion. Holding separate ratings for back pain (or neck pain) and radiculopathy in each affected limb does not violate anti-pyramiding rules under 38 CFR 4.14.

Under 38 CFR 3.310, conditions proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected radiculopathy may also qualify for secondary service connection with a medical nexus—such as knee, ankle, or hip injuries from foot drop or an altered gait, or secondary depressive and anxiety disorders (38 CFR 4.130) linked to chronic neuropathic pain.

Combining ratings and the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26)

Under 38 CFR 4.26, when radiculopathy affects both arms or both legs, the VA combines the paired extremity ratings under 38 CFR 4.25, adds 10% of that combined value, and combines the boosted subtotal with remaining ratings before rounding to the nearest 10%. For example, 40% right (major) arm and 30% left (minor) arm radiculopathy (DC 8510) combine to 58%, plus 5.8 bilateral factor (63.8%, rounded to 64%), which combines with a 20% cervical spine rating to reach 71.2%, rounding to 70% ($1,808.45 per month alone, effective 2025-12-01). Use the VA combined rating calculator and VA back pay calculator to model your claim.

Getting free, accredited help with your claim

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This guide explains the rules; it is not legal or medical advice. VA decisions depend on your records. Free help is available from accredited Veterans Service Organizations.

Frequently asked questions

Does the VA rate radiculopathy separately from neck pain or back pain?

Yes. Under Note 1 to the General Rating Formula for the Spine in 38 CFR 4.71a, associated objective neurological abnormalities are evaluated separately under peripheral nerve diagnostic codes in 38 CFR 4.124a for each affected arm or leg.

Why are upper extremity radiculopathy ratings different for the major and minor arm?

Under 38 CFR 4.124a and 38 CFR 4.69, upper extremity nerve codes (DC 8510–8519) assign a 10-percentage-point higher rating to the Major (dominant) arm than the Minor (non-dominant) arm for moderate, severe, and complete tiers, while mild ratings are equal.

What is the maximum radiculopathy VA rating if my symptoms are only numbness and tingling?

Under the introductory rule in 38 CFR 4.124a, when peripheral nerve involvement is wholly sensory without motor weakness, reflex loss, or muscle atrophy, the rating is for the mild, or at most the moderate, degree of incomplete paralysis. For sciatic or femoral radiculopathy (DC 8520 or DC 8526), wholly sensory involvement is capped at 10% (mild) or 20% (moderate) per affected leg.

Can I get separate ratings for multiple pinched nerves in the same arm?

Generally no, when cervical nerve root compression affects multiple nerves in the same arm. The Note following DC 8519 in 38 CFR 4.124a directs adjudicators to rate combined nerve injuries by reference to the major involvement or under the radicular group codes (DC 8510–8513).

Can you receive separate ratings for sciatic and femoral radiculopathy in the same leg?

Yes, when clinical evidence shows distinct deficits in both nerve distributions. Because the sciatic nerve (DC 8520, L4–S3) innervates the posterior thigh and lower leg while the femoral nerve (DC 8526, L2–L4) innervates the anterior thigh and quadriceps, both nerves can be rated separately in the same leg under 38 CFR 4.124a.

Is an EMG nerve conduction study required to get a VA rating for radiculopathy?

No. An EMG is not required if a C&P exam documents objective clinical signs of radiculopathy such as dermatomal sensory loss, diminished reflexes, motor weakness, or positive nerve tension tests, though an abnormal EMG provides helpful objective evidence. On the Peripheral Nerves Conditions DBQ, the examiner grades motor, sensory, and reflex findings under 38 CFR 4.124a with or without electrodiagnostic testing.