What rates 30% for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 30% rating for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

What rates 40% for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 40% rating for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requires: Moderate incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. OR severe incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

What rates 50% for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 50% rating for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requires: Severe incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity.

What rates 70% for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 70% rating for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requires: Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Anatomic findings as above.

What happens during a C&P exam for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

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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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (DC 8510) is rated at 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510. Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve(s) — intermittent positional paresthesia, mild grip weakness, no EMG-confirmed motor loss. Same 20% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.

Q: What rates 20% for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 20% rating for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requires: Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve(s) — intermittent positional paresthesia, mild grip weakness, no EMG-confirmed motor loss. Same 20% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.

Q: What rates 60% for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 (DC 8510), a 60% rating for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requires: Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity. Anatomic findings follow the radicular group most affected by the compression (typically lower trunk C8-T1 in neurogenic TOS).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome VA claim?

Key evidence for a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 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 851038 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8510

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

20–70%

6 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8510 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8510 across 6 severity tiers (20% / 30% / 40% / 50% / 60%…). 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 nerves and/or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib causing arm pain, numbness, and weakness.

Rating Criteria

20%

Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve(s) — intermittent positional paresthesia, mild grip weakness, no EMG-confirmed motor loss. Same 20% rating for both dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity.

30%

Moderate incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

40%

Moderate incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. OR severe incomplete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity.

50%

Severe incomplete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity.

60%

Complete paralysis — non-dominant (minor) extremity. Anatomic findings follow the radicular group most affected by the compression (typically lower trunk C8-T1 in neurogenic TOS).

70%

Complete paralysis — dominant (major) extremity. Anatomic findings as above.

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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