VA Diagnostic Code 8611Neuritis [Middle radicular group]
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 middle radicular group.
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: (DC 8511)
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: (DC 8511). 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 Middle Radicular Group (VA Diagnostic Code 8611)
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders · 38 CFR § 4.124a
What This Condition Is
Neuritis of the middle radicular group is a nerve condition affecting the middle group of nerve roots serving the arm. Under the VA rating schedule, it is listed as Diagnostic Code 8611 within the neurological conditions and convulsive disorders body system.
The VA rates this condition by analogy to Paralysis of the middle radicular group (Diagnostic Code 8511). In other words, the same rating structure used for paralysis of these nerves is applied to neuritis.
How the VA Rates Neuritis of the Middle Radicular Group
Because ratings can differ depending on whether the affected arm is your dominant ("major") or non-dominant ("minor") side, the rating levels are shown for both below.
| Rating | Level of Impairment | Dominant (Major) Arm | Non-Dominant (Minor) Arm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Incomplete: Moderate | 40% | 30% |
| Mild | Incomplete: Mild | 20% | 20% |
What the VA Looks For
The VA evaluates how severely the neuritis affects nerve function, categorizing the impairment as incomplete: mild or incomplete: moderate.
A key rule comes from § 4.123, which governs how neuritis is rated:
- Without organic changes: Neuritis that is not characterized by organic changes is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.
- With organic changes: When organic changes are present, the condition may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis. Organic changes include:
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle atrophy
- Sensory disturbances
- Constant pain (at times excruciating)
The VA also considers whether the condition affects your dominant or non-dominant arm, since this influences the assigned percentage.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.124a and § 4.123. It is provided for general educational purposes and describes how the condition is defined and rated; it does not predict any individual outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8611. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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