What happens during a C&P exam for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis)?

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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Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis)?

Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) (DC 8520) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520. Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve — intermittent posterior-leg pain/paresthesia, no objective motor weakness. § 4.124a sensory-only findings cap at this tier or moderate.

Q: What rates 10% for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (DC 8520), a 10% rating for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) requires: Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve — intermittent posterior-leg pain/paresthesia, no objective motor weakness. § 4.124a sensory-only findings cap at this tier or moderate.

Q: What rates 20% for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (DC 8520), a 20% rating for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis — daily symptoms, mild objective motor weakness in plantar/dorsiflexion, sensory loss in sciatic distribution.

Q: What rates 40% for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (DC 8520), a 40% rating for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) requires: Moderately severe incomplete paralysis — constant symptoms, marked motor weakness, significant atrophy. (DC 8520 uniquely includes this fifth tier between moderate and severe per § 4.124a.)

Q: What rates 60% for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (DC 8520), a 60% rating for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) requires: Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy — sciatic distribution motor loss approaching but not reaching the complete-paralysis "foot dangles and drops" pattern.

Q: What rates 80% for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 (DC 8520), a 80% rating for Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) requires: Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Verbatim § 4.124a: "the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost."

Q: What evidence do I need for a Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) 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 852038 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8520

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

10–80%

5 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Paralysis) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8520 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8520 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40% / 60% / 80%). 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

Pain, numbness, or weakness along the sciatic nerve from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg.

Rating Criteria

10%

Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve — intermittent posterior-leg pain/paresthesia, no objective motor weakness. § 4.124a sensory-only findings cap at this tier or moderate.

20%

Moderate incomplete paralysis — daily symptoms, mild objective motor weakness in plantar/dorsiflexion, sensory loss in sciatic distribution.

40%

Moderately severe incomplete paralysis — constant symptoms, marked motor weakness, significant atrophy. (DC 8520 uniquely includes this fifth tier between moderate and severe per § 4.124a.)

60%

Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy — sciatic distribution motor loss approaching but not reaching the complete-paralysis "foot dangles and drops" pattern.

80%

Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Verbatim § 4.124a: "the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost."

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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