Radiculopathy: arm (upper radicular group) DC 8510
Listed in the rating schedule as “Paralysis of the upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)”. VA rates it under diagnostic code 8510 in 38 CFR 4.124a. Body system: Head & nerves.
Also searched as: cervical radiculopathy, arm radiculopathy, upper extremity radiculopathy.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 6 rating levels for this code: 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
It affects one arm, so each side is rated on its own. When both sides are rated, VA adds the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26).
Source: 38 CFR 4.124a on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 70%60% minor | Complete; all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected |
| 50%40% minor | Incomplete:Severe |
| 40%30% minor | Incomplete:Moderate |
| 20% | Incomplete:Mild |
Where two ratings are shown, the first is for your major (dominant) arm and the second for the minor arm (38 CFR 4.69).
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.124a, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Commonly claimed as secondary to
If one of these is already service connected, you may be able to claim this condition as secondary to it.
Intervertebral disc syndrome DC 5243 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve in the neck at the upper (C5 and C6) nerve roots is rated separately for each arm, on top of the neck rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Neck (cervical strain) DC 5237 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve in the neck at the upper (C5 and C6) nerve roots is rated separately for each arm, on top of the neck rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Spinal stenosis DC 5238 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve in the neck at the upper (C5 and C6) nerve roots is rated separately for each arm, on top of the neck rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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