VA Diagnostic Code 8610Neuritis [Upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)]
Rated from 20% to 40% under § 4.124a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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Summary
Neuritis of the upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals).
What each rating requires
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- 40%30% non-dominant
Incomplete: Moderate
- 20%20% non-dominant
Incomplete: Mild
General rating formula
Rate as Paralysis of: [Upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)] (DC 8510)
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: [Upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals)] (DC 8510). Per § 4.123, neuritis not characterized by organic changes (loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain, at times excruciating) is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis; with such organic changes it may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis.
Neuritis of the Upper Radicular Group (Fifth and Sixth Cervicals) — VA Diagnostic Code 8610
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders · Rated under 38 CFR § 4.124a
What This Condition Is
Neuritis of the upper radicular group involves inflammation affecting the nerves originating from the fifth and sixth cervical nerve roots. This diagnostic code (8610) addresses neuritis specifically of this nerve group.
Because the VA does not have a separate rating chart just for this neuritis, it is rated by analogy to Paralysis of the Upper Radicular Group (Fifth and Sixth Cervicals), Diagnostic Code 8510. In other words, the VA applies the same rating levels used for paralysis of these nerves.
How the VA Rates It
Ratings are assigned based on the degree of incomplete paralysis caused by the neuritis, and they differ depending on whether the affected arm is the dominant ("major") or non-dominant ("minor") extremity.
| Rating | Level of Impairment | Dominant Extremity | Non-Dominant Extremity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | Incomplete: Moderate | 40% | 30% |
| 20% | Incomplete: Mild | 20% | 20% |
What the VA Looks For
-
The severity of the incomplete paralysis — whether the impairment is mild or moderate — is the primary factor in determining the rating level.
-
Which arm is affected — the dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) extremity — can affect the assigned percentage at the moderate level.
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The presence or absence of organic changes. Under § 4.123, neuritis not characterized by organic changes is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis. Organic changes include:
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle atrophy
- Sensory disturbances
- Constant pain, at times excruciating
When such organic changes are present, the condition may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis.
This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 8610 under 38 CFR § 4.124a. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8610. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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