---
title: "DC 8309 - Neuritis [Ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve]"
diagnostic_code: "8309"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8309-neuritis-ninth-glossopharyngeal-cranial-nerve"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:26:18.660669Z"
---

# DC 8309 - Neuritis [Ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve]

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

Neuritis of the ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve.

Rate as Paralysis of: [Ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve] (DC 8209)

## Rating criteria

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

## Notes

- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: [Ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve] (DC 8209). 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 Ninth (Glossopharyngeal) Cranial Nerve — VA Diagnostic Code 8309

*Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders · Rated under 38 CFR § 4.124a*

## Understanding This Condition

The ninth cranial nerve — known as the **glossopharyngeal nerve** — is one of the nerves that connects your brain to the throat and back of the tongue area. **Neuritis** refers to inflammation of this nerve.

Under Diagnostic Code 8309, the VA evaluates **neuritis of the ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve**.

## How This Rating Works

This condition does not have its own standalone rating scale. Instead, the VA rates it **by analogy to Paralysis of the Ninth (Glossopharyngeal) Cranial Nerve (Diagnostic Code 8209)**.

An important rule applies here. Under **§ 4.123**:

- Neuritis that is **not** accompanied by organic changes is rated at a **maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis**.
- Neuritis **with** organic changes — such as loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain (at times excruciating) — may be rated **up to severe incomplete paralysis**.

## Available Rating Level

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **10%** | Incomplete, moderate |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating this condition, the VA considers whether the neuritis is characterized by **organic changes**, which include:

- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle atrophy
- Sensory disturbances
- Constant pain, at times excruciating

The presence or absence of these organic changes determines the ceiling on how the condition may be rated — up to **moderate** incomplete paralysis without such changes, and potentially up to **severe** incomplete paralysis when those organic changes are present.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8309). 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-4.124a