VA Diagnostic Code 8618Neuritis.
Rated from 0% to 10% under § 4.124a. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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- 10%10% non-dominant
Incomplete: Moderate
- 0%0% non-dominant
Incomplete: Mild
General rating formula
Rate as Paralysis of: (DC 8518)
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement, or if sufficient in extent, consider radicular group ratings.
- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: (DC 8518). 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 (VA Diagnostic Code 8618)
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders — 38 CFR § 4.124a
Understanding Neuritis
Neuritis is a nerve condition rated by the VA under Diagnostic Code 8618. Because it affects the nervous system, the VA does not use a stand-alone set of criteria for it. Instead, neuritis is rated by analogy to Paralysis of the nerve involved (Diagnostic Code 8518).
When the VA evaluates neuritis, it looks at how the condition limits nerve function and whether there are underlying physical (organic) changes.
What the VA Looks For
Under § 4.123, the presence or absence of organic changes plays a central role in how neuritis is rated:
- Without organic changes — When neuritis is not characterized by organic changes, it is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.
- With organic changes — When organic changes are present, neuritis may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis.
Organic changes that the VA considers include:
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle atrophy
- Sensory disturbances
- Constant pain, at times excruciating
The VA also considers whether more than one nerve is involved. Combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement, or, if sufficient in extent, may be considered under radicular group ratings.
Available Rating Levels
Neuritis under DC 8618 is evaluated using the incomplete paralysis framework from DC 8518. The rating schedule provides the following levels:
| Rating | Criteria | Non-Dominant (Minor) Extremity |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Incomplete: Moderate | 10% |
| 0% | Incomplete: Mild | 0% |
The rating that applies depends on the severity of the incomplete paralysis and, for extremity involvement, whether the affected side is dominant or non-dominant.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 8618 and § 4.124a. Individual evaluations depend on the specific facts of each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8618. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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