VA Diagnostic Code 8717Neuralgia.
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 8517)
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 8517). Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.
Neuralgia (VA Diagnostic Code 8717)
Understanding how the VA rates neuralgia of the musculocutaneous nerve group.
Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders — 38 CFR § 4.124a
What This Condition Is
Neuralgia refers to nerve pain. Under the VA rating schedule, neuralgia coded as Diagnostic Code 8717 is evaluated based on how much it affects nerve function in the affected extremity.
Because neuralgia is a nerve condition rather than a total loss of nerve function, the VA rates it by analogy to Paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve (Diagnostic Code 8517). Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis — meaning the rating levels available for this code reflect mild to moderate involvement.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a percentage based on the severity of the incomplete paralysis and whether the affected arm is the dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) side:
| Rating | Severity | Dominant (Major) | Non-Dominant (Minor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Incomplete: Moderate | 10% | 10% |
| 0% | Incomplete: Mild | 0% | 0% |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating neuralgia under this code, the VA considers:
- Severity of the incomplete paralysis — whether the nerve involvement is mild or moderate, since moderate is the maximum level applicable to neuralgia.
- Which extremity is affected — ratings are assigned separately for the dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) side.
- Combined nerve injuries — where more than one nerve is involved, the VA rates by reference to the major involvement, or, if the involvement is sufficient in extent, considers radicular group ratings instead.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8717). Individual ratings depend on the specific findings in each case.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.124a, diagnostic code 8717. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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