Radiculopathy - Upper Extremities (Cervical)
Cervical radiculopathy results from compression or irritation of nerve roots in the cervical spine (neck), causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. This is frequently claimed as a secondary condition to service-connected cervical spine disabilities. The VA rates cervical radiculopathy under the upper extremity nerve schedules. The specific code depends on which nerve root is affected: upper radicular group (5th and 6th cervical, DC 8510), middle radicular group (7th cervical, DC 8511), lower radicular group (8th cervical and 1st thoracic, DC 8512), or all three (DC 8513). Only one nerve evaluation is allowed per arm, regardless of how many nerve groups are impaired. The veteran can receive a separate rating for each arm. The ratings differ for dominant vs. non-dominant arms, and the bilateral factor applies.
VA Rating Levels
Incomplete paralysis - mild. Both dominant and non-dominant arms receive 20%.
Incomplete paralysis - moderate. Dominant arm receives 40%, non-dominant receives 30%.
Incomplete paralysis - moderately severe (upper radicular group) or severe (middle/lower group). Dominant arm receives 50%, non-dominant receives 40%.
Complete paralysis of the upper or middle radicular group. All shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected (upper group) or adduction, abduction, rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected (middle group). Dominant arm receives 70%, non-dominant receives 60%.
Complete paralysis of all three radicular groups. Dominant arm receives 90%, non-dominant receives 80%. (DC 8513)
Exam Tips & Key Evidence
- →Like lumbar radiculopathy, cervical radiculopathy linked to a service-connected spine condition is effectively a presumptive grant unless conflicting evidence suggests another cause.
- →Veterans can receive separate ratings for each affected arm. If both arms are affected, the bilateral factor will apply.
- →If the veteran is ambidextrous, whichever side is affected will be considered the dominant arm.
- →Only ONE nerve evaluation per arm is allowed, regardless of how many nerve groups or individual nerves are impaired. The VA will assign whichever gives the highest evaluation.
- →Effective dates for nerve-related secondary conditions of the spine can potentially go back up to one year BEFORE the claim was filed, if medical evidence supports it.
- →At the C&P exam, make sure to report all symptoms truthfully. The examiner must consider flare-ups. If you received a mild rating but believe moderate is warranted, a Higher Level Review may help.
- →Most cervical radiculopathy is rated as paralysis of the applicable nerve group, as this category generally offers the highest possible evaluation.
Commonly Related Conditions
38 CFR Reference
38 CFR 4.124a