---
title: "DC 8712 - Neuralgia."
diagnostic_code: "8712"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8712-lower-radicular-group-neuralgia"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:40:22.936346Z"
---

# DC 8712 - Neuralgia.

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

Rate as Paralysis of: (DC 8512)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 40% | 30% | Incomplete: Moderate |
| 20% | 20% | Incomplete: Mild |

## Notes

- Note: Combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement, or if sufficient in extent, consider radicular group ratings.
- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: (DC 8512). Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.

# Neuralgia (VA Diagnostic Code 8712)

**Understanding how the VA rates neuralgia of the lower radicular group nerves.**

## What This Condition Is

Neuralgia is a nerve condition rated under **§ 4.124a**, within the VA's category of **Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders**. Under Diagnostic Code 8712, neuralgia is not rated on its own scale. Instead, it is **rated by analogy to Paralysis of the lower radicular group (Diagnostic Code 8512)**.

An important limit applies here: under **§ 4.124**, neuralgia is rated at a **maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis**. This means the highest rating level available for this code corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis.

## Available Rating Levels

Because ratings can differ depending on whether the affected limb is your dominant ("major") or non-dominant ("minor") side, both figures are shown below where they differ.

| Rating | Level of Involvement | Dominant Extremity | Non-Dominant Extremity |
|--------|---------------------|--------------------|------------------------|
| Moderate | Incomplete: Moderate | **40%** | 30% |
| Mild | Incomplete: Mild | **20%** | 20% |

- **40% (30% non-dominant):** Incomplete paralysis that is **moderate** in degree. This is the maximum level available for neuralgia under this code.
- **20% (dominant or non-dominant):** Incomplete paralysis that is **mild** in degree.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating neuralgia under Diagnostic Code 8712, the VA considers:

- **The degree of nerve involvement** — specifically whether the incomplete paralysis is *mild* or *moderate*, since these determine the rating level.
- **Which extremity is affected** — the dominant (major) side may be rated differently from the non-dominant (minor) side at the moderate level.
- **The § 4.124 maximum** — neuralgia is capped at the moderate incomplete paralysis level, so ratings above the moderate tier are not assigned under this code.

### A Note on Combined Nerve Injuries

Per the VA's guidance, **combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement**. If the involvement is sufficient in extent, the VA may consider **radicular group ratings** instead.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 8712 (§ 4.124a) 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