VA Diagnostic Code 8411Neuralgia [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve]
A single 10% rating under § 4.124a. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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Summary
Neuralgia of the eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve.
What each rating requires
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- 10%
Incomplete, moderate
General rating formula
Rate as Paralysis of: [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve] (DC 8211)
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve] (DC 8211). Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.
Neuralgia of the Eleventh (Spinal Accessory, External Branch) Cranial Nerve — VA Diagnostic Code 8411
Body System: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.124a
What This Condition Is
Neuralgia of the eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve refers to nerve pain affecting the spinal accessory nerve. This is one of the cranial nerves, and it is evaluated under the VA's schedule for neurological conditions.
Under Diagnostic Code 8411, this condition is rated by analogy to Paralysis of the Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve (DC 8211). In plain terms, the VA uses the rating framework for paralysis of the same nerve as the starting point for evaluating neuralgia.
Available Rating Level
Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis. Based on the rating schedule, the available level for this condition is:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Incomplete, moderate |
What the VA Looks For
When rating neuralgia of the eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve, the VA:
- Evaluates the condition by analogy to paralysis of the same nerve (DC 8211).
- Applies the rule under § 4.124 that neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Assigns the rating level based on whether the impairment reflects moderate, incomplete involvement of the nerve.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8411) and is provided for general reference. It describes how the condition is evaluated and does not predict any individual outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8411. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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