YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) under diagnostic code 8511, in 38 CFR § 4.124a (neurological conditions), and the schedule provides six evaluation levels for it: 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% and 20%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)
Nerve damage in the neck causing arm weakness, tingling, or loss of function.
The rating turns on whether paralysis is complete or incomplete, how severe it is, and whether the dominant arm is affected. Complete paralysis, with adduction, abduction and rotation of the arm, flexion of the elbow, and extension of the wrist lost or severely affected, is 70% for the dominant arm and 60% for the other; mild incomplete paralysis is 20% for either arm. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the schedule rates it mild or, at most, moderate. EMG testing and a neurologic exam document the pattern of pain and weakness.
- Diagnostic code
- 8511
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.124a
- Schedule levels
- 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% and 20%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
This code prints no 0% row. Under 38 CFR § 4.31, a 0% evaluation is assigned where the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) VA rating criteria (DC 8511)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
- Peripheral Nerves DBQ (PDF, VA.gov)
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy DBQ (PDF, VA.gov), for diabetic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy, which VA's Peripheral Nerves form excludes
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim2 tips
- 01
Show a timeline of worsening symptoms, since documenting progression helps establish this as a genuine, ongoing nerve condition rather than an isolated incident.
- 02
Provide a C&P exam prep sheet that specifically addresses which nerve group is involved, since the brachial plexus has multiple distinct groups that are rated differently.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Claiming the condition without diagnostic imaging or a nerve study to confirm it.
- 02
Underselling symptoms during the exam, which can result in a lower rating than the condition's actual impact.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Using a general term like 'arm pain' instead of specifically documenting radiculopathy affecting this nerve group.
- 02
No EMG support to confirm the diagnosis.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Middle radicular group involvement typically follows trauma or disc issues in the cervical spine that affect this specific nerve pathway.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate if tied to neck/spine injury.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~2,200 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~20%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)
Is Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) under VASRD diagnostic code 8511 (Neurological Conditions). Nerve damage in the neck causing arm weakness, tingling, or loss of function.
What VA disability rating can I get for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
Possible VA ratings for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) are 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 70%: Complete paralysis of the middle radicular group, dominant (major) extremity: adduction, abduction and rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected; 60%: Complete paralysis of the middle radicular group, non-dominant (minor) extremity: adduction, abduction and rotation of arm, flexion of elbow, and extension of wrist lost or severely affected; 50%: Incomplete paralysis of the middle radicular group: severe, dominant (major) extremity.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 2,200 veterans are service-connected for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage). Estimated approval outlook: Moderate if tied to neck/spine injury.
What evidence helps prove Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage) claim includes: EMG/NCS (nerve conduction study) test results confirming the specific nerve group involved; Neurology consult notes documenting the pattern of weakness and sensory loss.
Which DBQ is used for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
VA's Peripheral Nerves Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), for diabetic sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy, which VA's Peripheral Nerves form excludes, is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage)?
Common pitfalls when filing for Middle Radicular Group (Nerve Damage): Using a general term like 'arm pain' instead of specifically documenting radiculopathy affecting this nerve group; No EMG support to confirm the diagnosis.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.124a, Schedule of ratings, neurological conditions (Diagnostic Code 8511)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
- 38 CFR § 4.31, zero percent evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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