Radiculopathy: leg (sciatic nerve) DC 8520
Listed in the rating schedule as “Paralysis of the sciatic nerve”. VA rates it under diagnostic code 8520 in 38 CFR 4.124a. Body system: Head & nerves.
Also searched as: sciatica, radiculopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, leg radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, lower extremity radiculopathy.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 5 rating levels for this code: 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
It affects one leg, 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 |
|---|---|
| 80% | Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost |
| 60% | Incomplete:Severe, with marked muscular atrophy |
| 40% | Incomplete:Moderately severe |
| 20% | Incomplete:Moderate |
| 10% | Incomplete:Mild |
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.
Diabetes (type 2) DC 7913 Established link Rated separately
Diabetic nerve damage in the legs and feet is rated separately for each leg.
What to gather: A diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the legs, ideally with nerve testing in your records. Compensable diabetes complications get their own rating; ones rated 0% are counted as part of your diabetes rating.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.119, DC 7913 Note (1): rate compensable diabetes complications separately; NIDDK (NIH): Diabetic neuropathy; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Intervertebral disc syndrome DC 5243 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve from your spine condition (sciatica or radiculopathy) gets its own rating for each leg, on top of the spine 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)
Lower back (lumbosacral strain / DDD) DC 5237, 5242 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve from your low back condition (sciatica or radiculopathy) gets its own rating for each leg, on top of the spine 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 from your spine condition (sciatica or radiculopathy) gets its own rating for each leg, on top of the spine 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)
Presumptive rules that include it
If your service matches one of these, VA presumes the link to service and you do not need a medical opinion connecting it.
Agent Orange and herbicides
Covered: Early-onset peripheral neuropathy, rated by the nerves affected.
Time limit: Must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of your last exposure.
Who qualifies: Any length of service in Vietnam, on its inland waterways, or within 12 nautical miles offshore (January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975); at a U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand (January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976); in Laos (December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969); at Mimot or Krek, Cambodia (April 16 to 30, 1969); on Guam or American Samoa or their waters (January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980); on Johnston Atoll or a ship that called there (January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977); in or near the Korean DMZ (September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971); with regular duty on C-123 aircraft that carried Agent Orange; or handling, testing, or storing Agent Orange.
38 CFR 3.307(a)(6) and 3.309(e). Sources: 38 CFR 3.307; 38 CFR 3.309; VA.gov: Agent Orange exposure and disability compensation; VA.gov: The PACT Act and your VA benefits
Former prisoners of war (held 30 days or more)
Covered: Peripheral neuropathy, except when caused by an infection.
Who qualifies: Held as a prisoner of war for 30 days or more. The condition must reach at least 10% disabling at any time after service.
38 CFR 3.309(c)(2). Sources: 38 CFR 3.309; VA.gov: Benefits for former prisoners of war
Related medications
Medications that can cause or worsen it
If you take one of these for a service-connected condition, this condition may be claimable as secondary to that condition. You need a diagnosis, your prescription records, and a medical opinion.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (for example ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin) Established link
Fluoroquinolones have a boxed warning for nerve damage that can be permanent. VA usually rates leg nerve damage under the sciatic nerve code.
Sources: FDA label: Ciprofloxacin (DailyMed)
Metformin (for example metformin) Possible link
Low B12 from metformin can damage nerves. VA usually rates nerve damage in the legs under the sciatic nerve code.
Sources: FDA label: Metformin (DailyMed); Metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetes (PubMed)
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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