VA math → how VA rates sciatica
How VA rates sciatica
VA rates sciatica, paralysis of the sciatic nerve, under diagnostic code 8520 in the neurological schedule. Most cases are incomplete paralysis, rated 10 percent (mild), 20 percent (moderate), 40 percent (moderately severe), or 60 percent (severe, with marked muscular atrophy). Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve is 80 percent. The level turns on how much nerve function is lost.
What the rating schedule says
How the regulation is applied
Incomplete versus complete paralysis
Diagnostic code 8520 rates paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe levels (10 to 60 percent) describe incomplete paralysis; complete paralysis, where the foot dangles and drops, is the 80 percent level (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520).
Neuritis and neuralgia use the same scale
Related sciatic nerve conditions are read against the same scale: neuritis is evaluated under diagnostic code 8620 and neuralgia under 8720 (38 CFR 4.124a).
How this combines with your other ratings
VA does not add your ratings together, it combines them by remaining efficiency, so any single rating rarely changes your combined number as much as simple addition would suggest. See how VA combines ratings, or use the combined-rating calculator.
Related terms
This explains what the rating schedule says. It is educational, not claims assistance: only a VA-accredited representative may help with the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim (38 CFR 14.629). We do not advise how to obtain or increase a rating, and we determine nothing about any specific claim.