---
title: "DC 8310 - Neuritis [Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve]"
diagnostic_code: "8310"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8310-neuritis-tenth-pneumogastric-vagus-cranial-nerve"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:26:40.393694Z"
---

# DC 8310 - Neuritis [Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve]

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

Neuritis of the tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve.

Rate as Paralysis of: [Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve] (DC 8210)

## Rating criteria

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

## Notes

- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: [Tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve] (DC 8210). 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.

# Vagus Nerve Neuritis (Tenth Cranial Nerve) — VA Diagnostic Code 8310

**Body System:** Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders
**Regulation:** 38 CFR § 4.124a — Diagnostic Code 8310

---

## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 8310 covers **neuritis of the tenth (pneumogastric, vagus) cranial nerve**. Neuritis refers to inflammation of the nerve. The vagus nerve is one of the cranial nerves addressed under the VA's neurological rating schedule.

Because the VA does not have a separate stand-alone formula for rating this neuritis, it is **rated by analogy to Paralysis of the Tenth (Pneumogastric, Vagus) Cranial Nerve (Diagnostic Code 8210)**.

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## How the VA Rates It

Under the general formula, vagus nerve neuritis is evaluated using the same criteria the VA applies to paralysis of the tenth cranial nerve (DC 8210).

### Available Rating Level

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

---

## What the VA Looks For

The VA follows the rules set out in **§ 4.123** when rating neuritis:

- **Without organic changes:** Neuritis that is *not* characterized by organic changes — such as loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain (at times excruciating) — is rated at a **maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis**.

- **With organic changes:** When those organic changes *are* present, the neuritis **may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis**.

In short, the presence or absence of organic changes — reflex loss, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain — is central to how the VA evaluates this condition.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.124a (Diagnostic Code 8310) and the related provisions in § 4.123 and 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