---
title: "DC 5244 - Traumatic paralysis, complete:"
diagnostic_code: "5244"
body_system: "Musculoskeletal System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.71a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/musculoskeletal/5244-traumatic-paralysis-complete"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:00:08.082876Z"
---

# DC 5244 - Traumatic paralysis, complete:

Rated under § 4.71a. Body system: Musculoskeletal System.

Paraplegia: Rate under diagnostic code 5110. Quadriplegia: Rate separately under diagnostic codes 5109 and 5110 and combine evaluations in accordance with § 4.25.

## Rating criteria

No itemised criteria have been extracted for this code. Use the official source.

## Notes

- Note: If traumatic paralysis does not cause loss of use of both hands or both feet, it is incomplete paralysis. Evaluate residuals of incomplete traumatic paralysis under the appropriate diagnostic code (e.g., § 4.124a, Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves).

# Traumatic Paralysis, Complete (VA Diagnostic Code 5244)

*Musculoskeletal System · 38 CFR § 4.71a*

## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 5244 addresses **complete traumatic paralysis** — paralysis resulting from traumatic injury. Under the VA rating schedule, this condition is not assigned a single standalone percentage. Instead, the VA directs how it should be rated depending on the type of paralysis present.

## How the VA Rates It

Rather than using a fixed rating table, Diagnostic Code 5244 tells the VA which other diagnostic codes to apply:

- **Paraplegia:** Rate under diagnostic code **5110**.
- **Quadriplegia:** Rate separately under diagnostic codes **5109** and **5110**, then combine the evaluations in accordance with **§ 4.25**.

This means the final evaluation is built from the applicable diagnostic codes rather than from a percentage listed directly under 5244.

## What the VA Looks For

The VA distinguishes between **complete** and **incomplete** traumatic paralysis:

- **Complete traumatic paralysis** is what Diagnostic Code 5244 addresses directly.
- **Incomplete paralysis:** If the traumatic paralysis does **not** cause loss of use of both hands or both feet, it is considered *incomplete*. In that case, the residuals of incomplete traumatic paralysis are evaluated under the appropriate diagnostic code — for example, under **§ 4.124a, Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves**.

In short, the VA looks at:

1. Whether the paralysis is complete or incomplete.
2. Whether there is loss of use of both hands or both feet.
3. Which specific diagnostic codes apply to the presentation (paraplegia vs. quadriplegia, or peripheral nerve residuals for incomplete paralysis).

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule entry for Diagnostic Code 5244 under 38 CFR § 4.71a. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.71a