What happens during a C&P exam for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica)?

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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Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica)?

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) (DC 8529) is rated at 0%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8529. Mild OR moderate incomplete paralysis of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — intermittent burning/tingling over lateral thigh (classic meralgia paresthetica). Per § 4.124a, mild and moderate severity of this purely sensory nerve is noncompensable.

Q: What rates 0% for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8529?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8529 (DC 8529), a 0% rating for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) requires: Mild OR moderate incomplete paralysis of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — intermittent burning/tingling over lateral thigh (classic meralgia paresthetica). Per § 4.124a, mild and moderate severity of this purely sensory nerve is noncompensable.

Q: What rates 10% for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8529?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8529 (DC 8529), a 10% rating for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) requires: Severe incomplete paralysis OR complete paralysis. DC 8529 schedule caps at 10% — the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is purely sensory, and § 4.124a preamble caps sensory-only nerves.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) 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 852938 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8529

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

0–10%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (Meralgia Paresthetica) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8529 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8529 across 2 severity tiers (0% / 10%). 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

Compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve causing burning pain, tingling, and numbness on the outer thigh.

Rating Criteria

Mild OR moderate incomplete paralysis of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve — intermittent burning/tingling over lateral thigh (classic meralgia paresthetica). Per § 4.124a, mild and moderate severity of this purely sensory nerve is noncompensable.

10%

Severe incomplete paralysis OR complete paralysis. DC 8529 schedule caps at 10% — the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is purely sensory, and § 4.124a preamble caps sensory-only nerves.

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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