YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Ulnar Nerve Paralysis VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Ulnar Nerve Paralysis under diagnostic code 8516, in 38 CFR § 4.124a (neurological conditions), and the schedule provides six evaluation levels for it: 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% and 10%.
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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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
Damage to the ulnar nerve affecting the hand, especially the ring and pinky fingers, causing weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination.
The rating is based on whether paralysis is complete or incomplete, and its severity, confirmed through EMG testing, grip strength measurement, and sensory testing. The dominant hand is rated higher at every level except mild, which is 10% for either hand.
- Diagnostic code
- 8516
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.124a
- Schedule levels
- 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% and 10%
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
Ulnar Nerve Paralysis VA rating criteria (DC 8516)
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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis 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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
- 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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis 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 claim3 tips
- 01
Specify clearly which hand is affected and whether it's your dominant hand, since above the mild level the schedule assigns a higher value for dominant-hand impairment.
- 02
Include EMG and grip strength test results, since these are the objective measurements that establish severity beyond a subjective symptom description.
- 03
Explain specific daily limitations, like difficulty writing, typing, or holding objects, which helps translate the clinical findings into real-world impact.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Not documenting which hand is dominant, since above the mild level the same severity is rated higher for the dominant hand.
- 02
Missing diagnostic test results, leaving the exam without objective confirmation of the nerve damage's severity.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Not obtaining an EMG or formal medical diagnosis, since this rating specifically requires objective nerve testing rather than a symptom description alone.
- 02
Having the condition confused with carpal tunnel syndrome or median nerve issues in the records, which are rated under different criteria.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Ulnar nerve paralysis commonly follows elbow trauma or prolonged pressure on the nerve, such as from repeated use of certain military equipment or resting the elbow on hard surfaces for extended periods.
YOUR SERVICE STORY
Military jobs associated with Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
More by branch: Army · Marines · Air Force · Navy · Coast Guard · Space Force
THE BROADER PICTURE
Ulnar Nerve Paralysis by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Moderate with diagnostic tests.
- Veterans service-connected
- ~27,500 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~30%
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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
Is Ulnar Nerve Paralysis a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Ulnar Nerve Paralysis under VASRD diagnostic code 8516 (Neurological Conditions). Damage to the ulnar nerve affecting the hand, especially the ring and pinky fingers, causing weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination.
What VA disability rating can I get for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
Possible VA ratings for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis are 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 60%: Complete paralysis of the ulnar nerve, dominant (major) extremity: the “griffin claw” deformity, due to flexor contraction of ring and little fingers, atrophy very marked in dorsal interspace and thenar and hypothenar eminences; loss of extension of ring and little fingers cannot spread the fingers (or reverse), cannot adduct the thumb; flexion of wrist weakened; 50%: Complete paralysis of the ulnar nerve, non-dominant (minor) extremity: the “griffin claw” deformity, due to flexor contraction of ring and little fingers, atrophy very marked in dorsal interspace and thenar and hypothenar eminences; loss of extension of ring and little fingers cannot spread the fingers (or reverse), cannot adduct the thumb; flexion of wrist weakened; 40%: Incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve: severe, dominant (major) extremity.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 27,500 veterans are service-connected for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis. Estimated approval outlook: Moderate with diagnostic tests.
What evidence helps prove Ulnar Nerve Paralysis for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Ulnar Nerve Paralysis claim includes: Electromyography (EMG) results confirming and grading the nerve damage; Grip strength test results comparing the affected and unaffected hand; A physician's neurological exam report documenting sensory and motor findings.
Which DBQ is used for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
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 Ulnar Nerve Paralysis?
Common pitfalls when filing for Ulnar Nerve Paralysis: Not obtaining an EMG or formal medical diagnosis, since this rating specifically requires objective nerve testing rather than a symptom description alone; Having the condition confused with carpal tunnel syndrome or median nerve issues in the records, which are rated under different criteria.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.124a, Schedule of ratings, neurological conditions (Diagnostic Code 8516)
- 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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