---
title: "DC 8210 - Paralysis of: [Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve]"
diagnostic_code: "8210"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8210-paralysis-of-tenth-pneumogastric-vagus-cranial-nerve"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:13:25.401990Z"
---

# DC 8210 - Paralysis of: [Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve]

Rated under § 4.124a. Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 50% | Complete |
| 30% | Incomplete, severe |
| 10% | Incomplete, moderate |

## Notes

- Note : Dependent upon extent of sensory and motor loss to organs of voice, respiration, pharynx, stomach and heart.

# Paralysis of the Tenth (Vagus) Cranial Nerve — VA Diagnostic Code 8210

**Body System:** Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
**Regulation:** 38 CFR § 4.124a
**Diagnostic Code:** 8210

## What This Condition Involves

The tenth cranial nerve — also called the pneumogastric or **vagus nerve** — helps control several important functions in the body. When this nerve is paralyzed, it can affect the organs involved in **voice, respiration (breathing), the pharynx (throat), the stomach, and the heart**.

The VA evaluates this condition under Diagnostic Code 8210, which is part of the rating schedule for neurological conditions.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating based on how the paralysis is classified. The available levels for this diagnostic code are:

| Rating | Classification |
|--------|----------------|
| **50%** | Complete |
| **30%** | Incomplete, severe |
| **10%** | Incomplete, moderate |

- **Complete (50%):** The paralysis is complete.
- **Incomplete, severe (30%):** The paralysis is incomplete and classified as severe.
- **Incomplete, moderate (10%):** The paralysis is incomplete and classified as moderate.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating paralysis of the vagus nerve, the VA's evaluation is **dependent upon the extent of sensory and motor loss** to the organs the nerve serves — specifically the organs of **voice, respiration, pharynx, stomach, and heart**.

In other words, the rating reflects how much function has been affected across these areas, and whether the paralysis is considered complete or incomplete (moderate or severe).

---

*This overview is based on the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 8210. Individual evaluations depend on the specific medical evidence in each case.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a