---
title: "DC 8311 - Neuritis [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve]"
diagnostic_code: "8311"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8311-neuritis-eleventh-spinal-accessory-external-branch-cranial"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:26:59.510419Z"
---

# DC 8311 - Neuritis [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve]

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

Neuritis of the eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve.

Rate as Paralysis of: [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve] (DC 8211)

## Rating criteria

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

## Notes

- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: [Eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve] (DC 8211). 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 Eleventh (Spinal Accessory, External Branch) Cranial Nerve — VA Diagnostic Code 8311

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

## What This Condition Is

**Neuritis** of the eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve refers to inflammation or irritation affecting this cranial nerve. Because there is no separate rating table specifically for neuritis of this nerve, the VA rates it **by analogy to Paralysis of the eleventh (spinal accessory, external branch) cranial nerve (Diagnostic Code 8211)**.

## How the VA Rates It

Under Diagnostic Code 8311, the available rating level in the schedule is:

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

The condition is rated using the same framework that applies to paralysis of this nerve.

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating neuritis under this code, the VA considers the guidance in **§ 4.123**:

- **Neuritis *without* organic changes** — meaning 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** — where those signs (loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain) are present — **may be rated up to severe incomplete paralysis**.

In short, the VA looks at whether the nerve inflammation is accompanied by measurable organic changes, and rates the condition by analogy to paralysis of the same nerve (DC 8211) based on the severity of those findings.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8311) and is provided for general educational purposes. Individual ratings depend on your specific medical evidence and VA evaluation.*

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