Diagnostic Code 8520: Sciatic Nerve Paralysis / Radiculopathy Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.124a
- Rating range
- 10% to 80%
- Rating levels
- 5
- Body system
- Neurological conditions
The VA rates Sciatic Nerve Paralysis / Radiculopathy under diagnostic code 8520 in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 8520 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Incomplete paralysis, mild What raters look formild incomplete paralysis; wholly sensory involvement is rated mild or at most moderate |
| 20% | Incomplete paralysis, moderate What raters look formoderate incomplete paralysis |
| 40% | Incomplete paralysis, moderately severe What raters look formoderately severe incomplete paralysis |
| 60% | Incomplete paralysis, severe, with marked muscular atrophy What raters look forsevere incomplete paralysis; marked muscular atrophy |
| 80% | Complete paralysis; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost What raters look forcomplete paralysis; foot dangles and drops; no active movement possible of muscles below the knee |
DC 8520 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 16,601 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 8520 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 39.8%, denied 51.7% and sent 8.4% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
| What the appeal asked for | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| A higher rating | 16,209 | 38.7% |
| A rating VA reduced | 386 | 84.5% |
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 1,865 | 24.8% |
| 20 percent | 2,357 | 52.7% |
| 40 percent | 1,219 | 70.4% |
| 60 percent | 106 | 80.2% |
| Two or more ratings for different periods (staged) | 230 | 20.0% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 8520 rulings
Percentages use all 1,402 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate65.2%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened14.1%
- No exam problem recorded12.6%
- VA had not given an exam or opinion4.2%
- Another problem with the exam4.0%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 8520 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Sciatica. The Sciatica condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
Other conditions rated under this code: Radiculopathy, Peripheral Neuropathy.
What happens to Sciatica appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 17,784 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Sciatica, 2021 to 2026. The Sciatica condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Sciatica appeals generally rather than DC 8520 specifically. The DC 8520 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 8520?
Diagnostic code 8520 is the VA rating schedule entry for Sciatic Nerve Paralysis / Radiculopathy, found in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 8520?
DC 8520 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 8520 require?
The 80% rating for Sciatic Nerve Paralysis / Radiculopathy requires: Complete paralysis; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 8520?
In 16,209 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 8520 from 2021 to 2026, 38.7% were granted, 52.6% denied and 8.6% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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