---
title: "DC 8305 - Neuritis [Fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve]"
diagnostic_code: "8305"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8305-neuritis-fifth-trigeminal-cranial-nerve"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:25:39.549258Z"
---

# DC 8305 - Neuritis [Fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve]

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

Neuritis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve.

Rate as Paralysis of: [Fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve] (DC 8205)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 10% | Incomplete, moderate |

## Notes

- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: [Fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve] (DC 8205). 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 Fifth (Trigeminal) Cranial Nerve — VA Diagnostic Code 8305

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

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## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 8305 covers **neuritis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve**. The trigeminal nerve is one of the cranial nerves, and neuritis refers to inflammation affecting it.

Under the VA rating schedule, this condition is **rated by analogy to Paralysis of the Fifth (Trigeminal) Cranial Nerve (Diagnostic Code 8205)**. In other words, the VA looks to the paralysis criteria for that same nerve when assigning a rating for neuritis.

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## Available Rating Level

For this diagnostic code, the schedule lists the following rating level:

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **10%** | Incomplete, moderate |

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## What the VA Looks For

Because neuritis under DC 8305 is rated by analogy to paralysis (DC 8205), the rating turns on the presence and severity of certain findings, as guided by **§ 4.123**:

- **Neuritis without organic changes** — that is, without loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain (at times excruciating) — is rated at a **maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis**.

- **Neuritis with such organic changes** — the presence of the findings above — **may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis**.

The VA evaluates the nature of the nerve involvement and whether these organic changes are present when determining how the condition is rated.

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*This information summarizes the VA rating schedule criteria for Diagnostic Code 8305. It is provided for general informational purposes and does not predict or guarantee any specific rating outcome.*

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