VA Diagnostic Code 8205Paralysis of: [Fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve]
Rated from 10% to 50% under § 4.124a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 50%
Complete
- 30%
Incomplete, severe
- 10%
Incomplete, moderate
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Dependent upon relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.
Trigeminal Nerve Paralysis (Fifth Cranial Nerve) — VA Disability Rating
Diagnostic Code 8205 · 38 CFR § 4.124a · Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
What This Condition Is
The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve. Paralysis of this nerve affects the face, and under VA rules it is rated based on how the paralysis presents.
According to the VA's own guidance for this code, the rating is dependent upon the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss — in other words, how much sensation is affected and how much movement is lost.
Available Rating Levels
The VA rates paralysis of the trigeminal nerve at three levels:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 50% | Complete |
| 30% | Incomplete, severe |
| 10% | Incomplete, moderate |
- A 50% rating applies when the paralysis is complete.
- A 30% rating applies when the paralysis is incomplete and severe.
- A 10% rating applies when the paralysis is incomplete and moderate.
What the VA Looks For
When rating paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve, the VA considers:
- Whether the paralysis is complete or incomplete.
- For incomplete paralysis, whether the presentation is moderate or severe.
- The relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss, which is the basis for determining the rating level.
This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 8205 under 38 CFR § 4.124a and is provided for general informational purposes.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8205. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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