Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings
By Telemedica
4/18/2025
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Causes of Radiculopathy in Veterans
- 3 Types of Radiculopathy
- How the VA Rates Radiculopathy
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- VA Rating for Radiculopathy Upper Extremity
- VA Rating for Radiculopathy Lower Extremity
- Establishing Service Connection for Radiculopathy
- The Value of Medical Evidence
- Nexus Letter for Radiculopathy
- How to File a VA Claim for Radiculopathy
- Special Monthly Compensation for Loss of Use of Hand or Foot
- Conclusion
- How Telemedica Can Serve You
You may qualify for a radiculopathy VA rating if your condition directly results from your military service.
Radiculopathy, a nerve disorder caused by spinal compression or inflammation, can lead to debilitating pain, weakness, and numbness in the arms or legs.
In this post, we examine how the VA rates radiculopathy, the steps to establish a service connection, how to file a VA disability claim, and the importance of strong medical evidence.
We’ll also explain how you can qualify for VA disability benefits, even if you were diagnosed with radiculopathy before your service.
Key Takeaways
- The VA rating for radiculopathy ranges from 10% to 80%, depending on the severity of nerve impairment.
- The VA generally rates radiculopathy under various diagnostic codes based on the affected nerve and the severity of neurological symptoms, such as pain, weakness, numbness, and other impairments.
- Prolonged physical activities, carrying heavy equipment, and maintaining sedentary postures often cause radiculopathy in veterans.
Causes of Radiculopathy in Veterans
Radiculopathy, a condition resulting from the compression or irritation of nerve roots in the spine, is prevalent among veterans due to various service-related factors, including:
- Heavy Equipment and Load-Carrying
- Prolonged Physical Activities
- Bone Spurs
- Spinal Trauma
- Sedentary Postures
- Degenerative Changes
A 2024 study found that military veterans experience lower back pain at an average age of 35 years, which is at least 5 years earlier than non-service men.
3 Types of Radiculopathy
The three main types of radiculopathy are classified based on the region of the spine affected:
Cervical Radiculopathy (Neck)
Occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed, leading to symptoms in the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. It can cause pain, weakness, and tingling sensations.
Thoracic Radiculopathy (Upper Middle Back)
A rarer type, this affects the mid-back region and can cause pain around the ribs, chest, and abdomen. It is sometimes mistaken for heart or abdominal issues.
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Low Back)
The most common type, often called sciatica, occurs when nerves in the lower back are compressed, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet.
How the VA Rates Radiculopathy
The VA rates radiculopathy under 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves, using diagnostic codes 8510– 8730, depending on which nerve is affected.
The VA bases a radiculopathy rating on the severity of paralysis, considering the degree of motor function impairment, sensory disturbances, reflex changes, and the specific nerve involved.
Understanding the Radiculopathy VA Rating Criteria
The VA rates radiculopathy based on the severity of nerve impairment, considering factors such as paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia. In addition, the VA bases ratings on complete and incomplete paralysis.
If both limbs (either both arms or both legs) are affected, the VA applies the bilateral factor, which adds 10 percent to the combined disability rating before it’s combined with other disabilities or converted to a final rating.
| Condition | Severity | Description |
| Paralysis | Complete | The nerve is fully paralyzed, rendering the body part completely non-functional. |
| Incomplete, Severe | The nerve isn’t fully paralyzed, but symptoms like significant motor and/or reflex impairment, poor circulation and muscle atrophy severely limit function, resembling severe incomplete paralysis. | |
| Incomplete, Moderate | Symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or moderate pain significantly interfere with normal function. | |
| Incomplete, Mild | Symptoms like mild pain or tingling cause slight limitations but don’t significantly impact overall function. | |
| Neuritis | Severe | All three key symptoms (loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, and sensation loss) are present and seriously impair function. |
| Moderate | One or more symptoms, such as sensory changes, motor weakness, or diminished reflexes, significantly affect the ability of the body part to function. | |
| Mild | One or more symptoms are present but are mild and don’t significantly interfere with function. | |
| Neuralgia | Moderate | Dull and intermittent pain, or moderate pain in the nerve distribution, that significantly interferes with function. |
| Mild | Mild pain or tingling with slight limitations that don’t greatly affect function. |
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy, affecting less than 1% of people, occurs when a nerve root in the neck is compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the shoulders, arms, and hands.
It’s often caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis.
The VA rates cervical radiculopathy using diagnostic codes 8510, 8610, and 8710, depending on the severity of the condition and whether it involves paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia of the upper radicular group.
Cervical Radiculopathy VA Ratings
| Cervical Radiculopathy VA Rating | VA Rating | |
| 8510, Paralysis of Upper Radicular Group: | Major | Minor |
| Complete; all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected | 70% | 60% |
| Incomplete: | ||
| Severe | 50% | 40% |
| Moderate | 40% | 30% |
| Mild | 20% | 20% |
| 8610, Neuritis | ||
| 8710, Neuralgia | ||
Lumbar Radiculopathy
Lumbar radiculopathy, commonly known as sciatica, occurs when a nerve root in the lower back is compressed, irritated, or inflamed. This can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower extremities.
The VA rates lumbar radiculopathy under diagnostic codes 8520, 8620, and 8720. Thoracic radiculopathy is also generally rated under the same diagnostic codes.
Note: You may be eligible for a bilateral lumbar radiculopathy VA disability rating if your condition affects both legs due to nerve root compression in the lower spine, leading to pain, numbness, weakness, or mobility issues.
Lumbar Radiculopathy VA Ratings
| VA Disability Ratings for Lumbar Radiculopathy | VA Rating |
| 8520, Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve: | |
| 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% |
| Moderately severe | 40% |
| Moderate | 20% |
| Mild | 10% |
| 8620, Neuritis | |
| 8720, Neuralgia |
VA Rating for Radiculopathy Upper Extremity
Radiculopathy of the upper extremity occurs when the nerve roots in the cervical spine (neck) are compressed, irritated, or damaged.
A VA rating for radiculopathy in the upper extremity ranges from 20% -70%, depending on the severity of symptoms and whether there is complete or incomplete paralysis.
VA Rating for Radiculopathy Lower Extremity
Radiculopathy of the lower extremity refers to nerve damage or irritation in the lower spine (lumbar or sacral region) that causes pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs, feet, or buttocks.
The VA rates lower extremity radiculopathy based on the severity of symptoms, usually under diagnostic code 8520, which covers the sciatic nerve and related nerve impairments.
Establishing Service Connection for Radiculopathy
To qualify for radiculopathy VA disability, you must prove your military service caused or aggravated your condition.
This means that your radiculopathy must be linked to your time in the military, either directly or as a secondary condition to another service-related injury or illness.
You can prove service connection with these key three elements:
- A current medical diagnosis of radiculopathy
- An in-service event, injury, or illness that caused or aggravated your condition
- A medical nexus, or link, connecting your military service to your condition (can be a nexus letter)
VA Disability Aggravated Service Connection
You may also qualify for a radiculopathy VA rating if you had a pre-existing condition that worsened during your military service, aggravating the severity of the symptoms.
Although your military service may not have caused your radiculopathy, the VA acknowledges that the physical demands and stresses of military life can significantly aggravate pre-existing conditions.
To establish service connection through aggravation, you must present strong evidence showing that your military service substantially worsened your pre-existing condition, including:
- Medical records from before and during military service
- Expert medical opinions linking the aggravation of the condition to your service
- Lay evidence, including buddy statements from family members, friends, clergy, or fellow service members
- Documentation Triggers or Events in Service
The Value of Medical Evidence
Did you know that a lack of medical evidence is the #1 reason the VA denies disability claims?
Without proper documentation, even legitimate claims can be rejected or receive a lower rating than deserved.
Medical evidence is a key factor that VA raters use to determine service connection and the severity of your condition when reviewing a disability claim.
Telemedica provides solutions for veterans looking to bolster their claims through high-quality medical evidence that wins claims.
Schedule your Consultation Call and learn how to get the supporting medical evidence you need to strengthen your claim.
Nexus Letter for Radiculopathy
A nexus letter is a document based on medical evidence that helps you establish a link or connection (i.e., a nexus) between your current diagnosis and an in-service-related event or trauma.
The VA doesn’t require you to provide a nexus letter; however, you may need the letter to support denied claims, secondary conditions, and cases lacking strong medical evidence.
A strong nexus letter must:
- Clearly state your current diagnosis
- Explain how your condition is linked to military service (direct, secondary, or aggravated connection)
- Utilize medical evidence, research, and rationale to support the provider’s (i.e., the Nexus Letter writer’s) opinion
- Include the doctor’s credentials and signature
The licensed, trusted professionals at Telemedica can provide you with a nexus letter, paving the way to the benefits you rightfully deserve.
How to File a VA Claim for Radiculopathy
You can file a VA claim for radiculopathy:
- By mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- Via fax: 844-531-7818 (Inside the U.S.) or 248-524-4260 (Outside the U.S.)
- In person at a VA regional office.
If you choose a method other than online, you’ll need to download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ.
Special Monthly Compensation for Loss of Use of Hand or Foot
You may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) if you experience loss of use of a hand or foot due to service-connected radiculopathy.
According to §4.63, Loss of use of hand or foot, loss of use exists when the remaining function is no better than an amputation with a prosthetic would provide.
The VA evaluates this based on actual function:
- Hand: If grasping and manipulation are severely impaired.
- Foot: If balance and movement are significantly affected.
Loss of use may also be determined by:
- Severe joint immobility (ankylosis) in the knee or two major joints.
- Leg shortening of 3.5 inches or more.
- Complete paralysis of the common peroneal nerve, causing foot drop with circulatory and muscle deterioration.
Conclusion
If you’re a veteran with radiculopathy, understanding how the VA rates your condition is key to securing the benefits you rightfully deserve.
Providing medical evidence, including a nexus letter, and demonstrating a connection between your condition and military service may strengthen your claim.
How Telemedica Can Serve You
Whether you need support with obtaining strong medical evidence, a comprehensive nexus letter, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn how we may strengthen your claim and improve your chances of receiving the compensation you rightfully deserve.