What are the VA rating percentages for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia (DC 8209) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209. Incomplete paralysis, moderate.

What rates 10% for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209 (DC 8209), a 10% rating for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia requires: Incomplete paralysis, moderate.

What rates 20% for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209 (DC 8209), a 20% rating for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia requires: Incomplete paralysis, severe.

What rates 30% for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209 (DC 8209), a 30% rating for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia requires: Complete paralysis.

What happens during a C&P exam for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Q: What evidence do I need for a Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia VA claim?

Key evidence for a Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 820938 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8209

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

10–30%

3 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8209 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8209 across 3 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils along cranial nerve IX distribution.

Rating Criteria

10%

Incomplete paralysis, moderate.

20%

Incomplete paralysis, severe.

30%

Complete paralysis.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.124a (Neurological conditions and convulsive disorders). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.124a on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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