Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (Cervical Radiculopathy)
Cervical radiculopathy is pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand from a compressed nerve root. VA rates it per arm, with higher percentages for your dominant (major) arm.
How the VA rates it
Rated by radicular group depending on which nerve roots are involved: DC 8510 (upper radicular group, C5-C6, affecting shoulder and elbow), 8511 (middle), 8512 (lower, affecting hand), or 8513 (all radicular groups). Each tier has two percentages - one for the dominant (major) arm and one for the non-dominant (minor) arm. Wholly sensory involvement is rated mild or at most moderate.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 70%Complete paralysis of the upper radicular group: all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected (hand and wrist movements not affected). 70 percent for the dominant (major) arm, 60 percent for the non-dominant (minor) arm. Under 8513 (all radicular groups), complete paralysis is 90 percent major / 80 percent minor.
Severe incomplete paralysis: 50 percent major / 40 percent minor. (Under 8513, severe is 70 percent major / 60 percent minor.)
Moderate incomplete paralysis: 40 percent major / 30 percent minor (same under 8513).
Mild incomplete paralysis: 20 percent for either arm (same under 8513).
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Depression is commonly claimed secondary to chronic radicular pain and loss of arm function.
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Cervical Strain (Neck) — Radiculopathy is the standard associated neurologic abnormality of chronic cervical spine conditions.
- Degenerative Disc Disease — Cervical disc degeneration compressing nerve roots is a leading cause of arm radiculopathy.
- Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) — Cervical disc herniation commonly causes upper extremity radiculopathy.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- An EMG/nerve conduction study identifying the affected nerve roots (e.g., C5-C6) determines which diagnostic code applies and supports a higher radicular group rating.
- Confirm your dominant hand is documented correctly - the major/minor distinction changes the percentage at most tiers.
- Document weakness, grip strength loss, and atrophy, not just numbness - wholly sensory symptoms cap at the moderate level.
- Radiating arm symptoms noted at your cervical spine C&P exam should trigger a separate nerve rating in addition to the neck rating - check your decision letter to make sure it did.
Rating rules to know
Rated separately from and in addition to the cervical spine rating. Combined nerve injuries in the same arm are rated by the major involvement or, if extensive enough, under a radicular group code - not stacked nerve-by-nerve for the same function.
Related diagnostic codes
More neurological conditions
Migraine Headaches
Migraines are recurring severe headaches, often with nausea and light sensitivity. VA rates them entirely on how often you have 'prostrating' attacks - attacks so severe you must stop what you are doing and lie down.
Rated up to 50%
Sciatic Radiculopathy (Lower Extremity)
Sciatic radiculopathy is nerve pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the low back down the leg, usually caused by a spine condition pressing on the sciatic nerve root. VA rates it per leg based on how severe the nerve impairment is.
Rated up to 80%
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet, legs, or hands causing burning pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness - most often from diabetes. There is no single diagnostic code: VA rates each affected nerve in each extremity separately.
Rated up to 80%
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. VA rates it per wrist under the median nerve code, with higher percentages for your dominant hand.
Rated up to 70%
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Residuals
TBI residuals are the lasting effects of a head injury - problems with memory, concentration, mood, headaches, dizziness, and more. VA rates TBI with a unique facet-based system where your single worst area of impairment sets the rating.
Rated up to 100%
Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)
Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are rated on how often you have seizures. Major (grand mal / tonic-clonic) seizures with loss of consciousness count for more than minor seizures, and a confirmed diagnosis guarantees at least 10 percent.
Rated up to 100%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.