VA Diagnostic Code 8519Paralysis of:
Rated from 0% to 30% under § 4.124a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 30%20% non-dominant
Complete; inability to raise arm above shoulder level, winged scapula deformity
- 20%20% non-dominant
Incomplete: Severe
- 10%10% non-dominant
Incomplete: Moderate
- 0%0% non-dominant
Incomplete: Mild
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Not to be combined with lost motion above shoulder level.
- Note: Combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement, or if sufficient in extent, consider radicular group ratings.
VA Disability Rating: Paralysis of the Long Thoracic Nerve (Diagnostic Code 8519)
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders — 38 CFR § 4.124a
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 8519 covers paralysis affecting the nerve that serves the muscles used to raise the arm and stabilize the shoulder blade. When this nerve is affected, it can limit your ability to lift your arm and may cause a visible "winged scapula" deformity, where the shoulder blade sticks out from the back.
The VA rates this condition on a scale from complete paralysis to incomplete paralysis, and it recognizes that impairment may affect your dominant (major) arm differently than your non-dominant (minor) arm. Ratings for the non-dominant arm are often assigned at a lower percentage for the same level of severity.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a rating based on how severe the nerve impairment is. The following levels apply:
| Rating (Dominant Arm) | Rating (Non-Dominant Arm) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | 20% | Complete paralysis — inability to raise the arm above shoulder level, with winged scapula deformity |
| 20% | 20% | Incomplete paralysis: Severe |
| 10% | 10% | Incomplete paralysis: Moderate |
| 0% | 0% | Incomplete paralysis: Mild |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating this condition, the VA considers:
- Whether the paralysis is complete or incomplete. Complete paralysis is rated at the highest level and is characterized by an inability to raise the arm above shoulder level along with a winged scapula deformity.
- The severity of incomplete paralysis — categorized as mild, moderate, or severe — which determines the assigned percentage.
- Which arm is affected. The VA distinguishes between the dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) extremity, and may assign a lower rating for the same severity level when the non-dominant arm is involved.
Important Notes
- This rating is not to be combined with lost motion above shoulder level.
- For combined nerve injuries, the VA rates by reference to the major involvement, or — if the injury is sufficient in extent — may consider radicular group ratings.
This information is provided for general educational purposes and is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.124a. Individual ratings depend on the specific facts of each case as evaluated by the VA.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8519. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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