---
title: "DC 8717 - Neuralgia."
diagnostic_code: "8717"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8717-musculocutaneous-nerve-neuralgia"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:41:59.973610Z"
---

# DC 8717 - Neuralgia.

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

Rate as Paralysis of: (DC 8517)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Rating (non-dominant) | Criteria |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10% | 10% | Incomplete: Moderate |
| 0% | 0% | 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 8517). Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.

# Neuralgia (VA Diagnostic Code 8717)

**Understanding how the VA rates neuralgia of the musculocutaneous nerve group.**

*Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders — 38 CFR § 4.124a*

## What This Condition Is

Neuralgia refers to nerve pain. Under the VA rating schedule, neuralgia coded as **Diagnostic Code 8717** is evaluated based on how much it affects nerve function in the affected extremity.

Because neuralgia is a nerve condition rather than a total loss of nerve function, the VA rates it **by analogy to Paralysis of the musculocutaneous nerve (Diagnostic Code 8517)**. Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a **maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis** — meaning the rating levels available for this code reflect mild to moderate involvement.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a percentage based on the severity of the incomplete paralysis and whether the affected arm is the dominant (major) or non-dominant (minor) side:

| Rating | Severity | Dominant (Major) | Non-Dominant (Minor) |
|--------|----------|------------------|----------------------|
| **10%** | Incomplete: Moderate | 10% | 10% |
| **0%** | Incomplete: Mild | 0% | 0% |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating neuralgia under this code, the VA considers:

- **Severity of the incomplete paralysis** — whether the nerve involvement is *mild* or *moderate*, since moderate is the maximum level applicable to neuralgia.
- **Which extremity is affected** — ratings are assigned separately for the dominant (major) and non-dominant (minor) side.
- **Combined nerve injuries** — where more than one nerve is involved, the VA rates by reference to the major involvement, or, if the involvement is sufficient in extent, considers radicular group ratings instead.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8717). Individual ratings depend on the specific findings in each case.*

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