Radiculopathy VA rating: codes, tiers, and bilateral math

By BilateralFactor Editorial Team · Published June 9, 2026

The short answer

Radiculopathy is nerve-root compression causing pain, numbness, weakness, or reflex changes radiating into an arm or leg. VA rates it under the peripheral nerve schedule in 38 CFR §4.124a. For the sciatic nerve (the most common path for lumbar radiculopathy), ratings run from 10% (mild) to 80% (complete paralysis).

If both legs carry service-connected radiculopathy at 10% or higher, the bilateral factor applies before the leg ratings enter the broader combined-rating math. Bilateral lumbar radiculopathy is one of the most common bilateral-factor scenarios veterans encounter.

DC 8520: sciatic nerve paralysis

The sciatic nerve is the primary code for lumbar radiculopathy affecting the leg. Ratings from 38 CFR §4.124a, verified 2026-06-09:

Complete paralysis is defined in the regulation as “the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee.” That reflects total loss of sciatic nerve function, a finding rarely seen outside severe trauma or surgical complications.

An honest note on severity labels: The regulation does not define “mild,” “moderate,” or “moderately severe” in numerical terms. Those words describe the functional picture, not a specific measurement. C&P exam findings drive the determination. Sensory-only symptoms (tingling, numbness without motor involvement) are commonly associated with mild ratings, while documented motor weakness and reflex loss are commonly associated with moderate or higher ratings. The examiner’s clinical judgment, the DBQ findings, and the overall record all factor in. VA raters may weigh those differently across cases.

DC 8620 and DC 8720: neuritis and neuralgia

Per 38 CFR §4.123 and §4.124, DC 8620 (neuritis) and DC 8720 (neuralgia) use the same rating scale as DC 8520 paralysis, but with lower ceilings. Neuritis with organic changes (loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, constant pain) is capped at severe incomplete paralysis, which is 60% for the sciatic nerve. Neuritis without organic changes is capped at moderately severe incomplete paralysis, 40% for sciatic. Neuralgia is capped at moderate incomplete paralysis, 20% for the sciatic nerve. A veteran rated under DC 8720 for sciatic neuralgia cannot exceed 20%, regardless of severity. The choice of code affects the ceiling, not just the label.

Other nerve codes

Other peripheral nerves have their own diagnostic codes. DC 8526, for example, covers the femoral nerve (anterior crural nerve), with complete paralysis rated at 40% and incomplete presentations ranging from 10% to 30%. Cervical radiculopathy affecting the arms uses upper-extremity nerve codes (DC 8510–8516 and related codes). If your radiculopathy involves a nerve other than the sciatic, the relevant code and its specific percentages govern your rating. The regulation notes that these ratings are for unilateral involvement; when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor.

Radiculopathy as a secondary condition to back pain

Lumbar radiculopathy is most often claimed as secondary to a service-connected back condition such as DC 5237 (lumbosacral strain), DC 5242 (degenerative arthritis of the spine), or DC 5243 (IVDS). The back rating and the radiculopathy rating are separate under the spine formula. See VA rating for back pain for the full explanation of how the spine formula works and how the two ratings interact.

The back is a midline structure and does not qualify for the bilateral factor. But bilateral leg radiculopathy, rated separately for each leg, does. That combination is the exact scenario where the bilateral factor has the most leverage.

Bilateral radiculopathy: worked examples

The regulation confirms that peripheral nerve ratings are for unilateral involvement and that bilateral involvement requires the bilateral factor under 38 CFR §4.26.

Example 1: 20% right leg + 20% left leg

Both legs are service-connected at 20%, so the bilateral factor applies first.

1. Combine the pair: 20 + (20 × 80/100) = 20 + 16 = 36
2. Add the bilateral factor (10% of 36): 36 + 3.6 = 39.6, rounded to 40
3. The bilateral group enters the combined-rating calculation as one 40% disability.
4. Final rating (these two conditions only): 40%

In this case the bilateral factor pushes 39.6 to a rounded 40, which also converts to 40% final. The factor did not cross a rounding threshold here, but it contributes to the foundation that combines with other conditions.

Example 2: 40% right leg + 20% left leg

1. Combine the pair: 40 + (20 × 60/100) = 40 + 12 = 52
2. Add the bilateral factor (10% of 52): 52 + 5.2 = 57.2, rounded to 57
3. The bilateral group is treated as one 57% disability.
4. Final rating (these two conditions only): 57 converts to the nearest 10 → 60%

Without the bilateral factor, 52 rounds to 50%. The factor is the difference between a 50% and 60% final rating.

Run your own numbers in the VA Combined Ratings Calculator. When adding radiculopathy conditions, assign them to the correct leg group so the calculator applies the bilateral factor correctly.

If the combined rating in your decision letter is lower than these examples suggest your numbers warrant, see what to do after a VA decision you disagree with.

C&P exam preparation

The C&P examiner will test sensation, strength, and reflexes in the affected extremity. Document:

• Which leg (or arm) is affected
• Whether symptoms are sensory only (numbness, tingling) or also motor (weakness, foot drop)
• Any reflex changes (diminished or absent patellar or Achilles reflex)
• How symptoms affect daily function — standing, walking, lifting

If both legs are symptomatic, the examiner should document each separately. Two distinct DBQ entries, one per leg, support separate ratings and preserve the bilateral factor claim.

For related topics:

• VA rating for back pain
• The bilateral factor explained
• How VA combined ratings work
• VA Combined Ratings Calculator

This page explains schedular rating math only. Individual VA decisions depend on service-connection evidence, exam findings, and claim-specific facts. See our disclaimer for the limits of this information.