---
title: "DC 8520 - Paralysis of:"
diagnostic_code: "8520"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8520-sciatic-nerve-sciatica"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T05:20:32.226978Z"
---

# DC 8520 - Paralysis of:

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 80% | Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost |
| 60% | Incomplete: Severe, with marked muscular atrophy |
| 40% | Incomplete: Moderately severe |
| 20% | Incomplete: Moderate |
| 10% | Incomplete: Mild |

# Paralysis (Sciatic Nerve) — VA Diagnostic Code 8520

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

## Understanding This Condition

Diagnostic Code 8520 addresses paralysis affecting nerve function in the leg. When this nerve is impaired, it can affect movement and muscle strength in the areas it serves — including the foot and the muscles below the knee.

The VA recognizes that paralysis can range from **complete** (where function is lost) to **incomplete** (where function is reduced to varying degrees). The rating assigned depends on how severe the impairment is and how much it affects movement and muscle condition.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns the following disability ratings under this code:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **80%** | **Complete** — the foot dangles and drops, no active movement is possible of the muscles below the knee, and flexion of the knee is weakened or (very rarely) lost |
| **60%** | **Incomplete: Severe**, with marked muscular atrophy |
| **40%** | **Incomplete: Moderately severe** |
| **20%** | **Incomplete: Moderate** |
| **10%** | **Incomplete: Mild** |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating this condition, the VA distinguishes between **complete** and **incomplete** paralysis:

- **Complete paralysis (80%):** The VA looks for signs that the foot dangles and drops, that no active movement is possible in the muscles below the knee, and that flexion of the knee is weakened or — in very rare cases — lost.

- **Incomplete paralysis (10%–60%):** The VA evaluates the degree of impairment along a scale from **mild** (10%) to **moderate** (20%) to **moderately severe** (40%) to **severe** (60%). At the severe level, the VA also looks for **marked muscular atrophy**.

The level assigned reflects how significantly the paralysis affects movement and muscle condition, based on the evidence in your case.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.124a. 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