---
title: "DC 8720 - Neuralgia."
diagnostic_code: "8720"
body_system: "Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders"
cfr_section: "§ 4.124a"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/neurological/8720-sciatic-nerve-neuralgia"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"
updated: "2026-07-21T21:42:54.114354Z"
---

# DC 8720 - Neuralgia.

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

Rate as Paralysis of: (DC 8520)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 20% | Incomplete: Moderate |
| 10% | Incomplete: Mild |

## Notes

- Rated by analogy to Paralysis of: (DC 8520). Per § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis.

# Neuralgia (Diagnostic Code 8720)

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

## Understanding This Condition

Neuralgia is a nerve-related condition rated under Diagnostic Code 8720. Because it does not have its own standalone rating table, the VA rates neuralgia **by analogy to Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (Diagnostic Code 8520)**.

Under § 4.124, neuralgia is rated at a **maximum of moderate incomplete paralysis**. This means the available rating levels for this condition are capped, and are limited to the mild and moderate incomplete paralysis levels described below.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on the severity of the incomplete paralysis:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **20%** | Incomplete paralysis — **Moderate** |
| **10%** | Incomplete paralysis — **Mild** |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating neuralgia under this diagnostic code, the VA:

- **Rates by analogy to DC 8520** (Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve), applying that framework to the neuralgia condition.
- **Applies the § 4.124 limitation**, under which neuralgia is rated at a maximum of **moderate incomplete paralysis**.
- **Determines whether the incomplete paralysis is mild or moderate**, which corresponds to the 10% and 20% rating levels respectively.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.124a and § 4.124. Individual rating determinations depend on the specific evidence in each case.*

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