Public rules

Sciatic nerve (radiculopathy) — public rules, in plain words

See the five published sciatic-nerve lines, and the lead-in text that wholly sensory involvement is mild or at most moderate.

This page shows VA’s public rules for paralysis of the sciatic nerve under diagnostic code 8520 (38 CFR 4.124a). People often use the word radiculopathy for a nerve-root problem. This page quotes the sciatic-nerve code. Other nerves have their own codes. It is education and organizing only. It is not your rating. We do not say you have radiculopathy. You review the words and you submit. We do not file.

Last reviewed 2026-10-16.

The five lines below match 38 CFR 4.124a, diagnostic code 8520, on eCFR. The wholly sensory sentence is the rule’s lead-in text in the same section. Current text checked October 16, 2026. Not medical advice.

What we help you do

We help you review your documents against the published rating criteria. Rating criteria are the public rules VA published. This is education and organizing. It is not a promise of a rating. We do not decide the claim.

Official sources

Why the papers have to say it

A VA exam is a short visit. Write how often something happens, how long it lasts, and how it stops normal life, only if that is true. If those facts are not in the papers you send, the exam may not have them. We do not write them for you.

Published levels (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520)

CFR means the Code of Federal Regulations. DC means diagnostic code. Those are public rule numbers.

Published: Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost — 80% in the rule book.

The 80 percent line is complete paralysis. The rule itself describes it: the foot dangles and drops, muscles below the knee cannot actively move, and knee bending is weakened or, very rarely, lost. This page does not say that is your exam.

Published: Severe, with marked muscular atrophy — 60% in the rule book.

Severe incomplete paralysis, with marked muscle wasting. The rule uses those words. It does not define “severe” further on this line. We do not add a definition.

Published: Moderately severe — 40% in the rule book.

The rule’s words are “moderately severe.” This line does not add a test score or a list of symptoms. We do not invent one.

Published: Moderate — 20% in the rule book.

The line’s word is “moderate.” DC 8520 does not add a symptom list for that word. The rule’s lead-in text for the peripheral-nerve ratings says that when the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. This page does not decide whether involvement is wholly sensory.

Published: Mild — 10% in the rule book.

The line’s word is “mild.” DC 8520 does not add a symptom list for that word. The same lead-in text says wholly sensory involvement is rated mild, or at most moderate. A published word is not your rating.

38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings—neurological conditions and convulsive disorders

What the rule is about — only what you actually have

An exam or treatment note you already have that describes the sciatic nerve, foot drop, movement below the knee, or muscle bulk. We do not invent findings.
The incomplete lines use mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe. DC 8520 does not add a symptom list for those words. 38 CFR 4.124a does set one limit for peripheral-nerve ratings: “When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree.” That lead-in text does not define moderately severe or severe. This page does not decide whether involvement is wholly sensory.
The spine formula’s Note (1) says associated objective neurologic abnormalities are evaluated separately. That is why this code exists in the rule book. It is not advice to add a claim.
A statement in your own words about what you live with, only if it is true. We do not write it.

Other conditions

Other nerves, such as the femoral nerve or nerves in the arm, have their own diagnostic codes and their own words. This page does not list them as things to claim. The condition lookup on the ratings hub can show a code by its published name.

Questions if a statement leaves these out

Questions only. They do not make up a fact. They do not write the statement.

Do your records say whether the foot dangles or drops, or whether muscles below the knee can move? Only if that is written.
Do the records describe muscle wasting (atrophy)? Only if they use that finding.
Do the records name the sciatic nerve, or a different nerve? Copy the name that is written. Do not swap in a different nerve.
If a clinician used mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe, is that word in the record you have? Do not pick a word to match a line.

Check your own statement against this rule

The statement review lines your own words up with the published words on this page and shows which of those words your statement speaks to and which are not mentioned yet. It asks questions. It does not add a symptom, a test result, or a date.

Common questions

What percent lines does the sciatic nerve code publish?

Diagnostic code 8520 lists 80 percent for complete paralysis (foot dangles and drops, no active movement of muscles below the knee, knee flexion weakened or very rarely lost), 60 percent for severe with marked muscular atrophy, 40 percent for moderately severe, 20 percent for moderate, and 10 percent for mild.

Does this page define mild, moderate, and severe?

DC 8520 does not add a symptom list for those words. 38 CFR 4.124a says that when the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. That lead-in text does not define moderately severe or severe. This page does not decide whether involvement is wholly sensory, and it does not assign a word to you.

Is this page medical advice?

No. This page shows VA's published rule in plain words. It is education and organizing only. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a rating. You review the words. You, or a free accredited representative, submit to VA.

Forms you can open

There is no radiculopathy-only form on VA’s additional-forms page. The disability application is VA Form 21-526EZ. You fill it out and send it. We do not send it.

Application for disability benefits

VA Form 21-526EZ. Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.

There is no separate form for this condition. This is the disability application. You fill it out and send it to VA. We do not send it.

You fill this out and send it to VA. We do not fill it in with your records. We do not send it. We do not make a packet that is ready to file.

Signed in? The forms list only helps you keep track. It does not fill a form. It does not send it.