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Back injuries and various musculoskeletal injuries, which can lead to sciatica, are common for military veterans, and when severe, they can make life nearly impossible.
The VA recognizes sciatica as a disability, meaning you may qualify for VA benefits, but understanding the sciatica VA rating system is key.
This post explains how the VA rates sciatica, how to service-connect your condition, and how to file a VA claim for sciatica to receive the VA compensation and benefits you rightfully deserve.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- The VA rates sciatica based on its severity, with ratings ranging from 10% for mild cases to 80% for complete paralysis.
- Veterans should provide medical evidence, such as MRIs, nerve tests, and doctor evaluations, to prove their sciatica is service-connected or worsened by military service.
- Higher ratings may be granted for severe pain, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, or paralysis, and veterans with bilateral sciatica or TDIU eligibility may receive additional compensation.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica, or lumbar radiculopathy, is an extreme pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.
Sciatica is not an actual diagnosis of a problem, but rather, an accurate way of describing the location of the pain, and is usually diagnosed after a complete medical examination by a primary care doctor.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg.”
Sciatica in veterans is a common condition often caused by service-related injuries such as spinal trauma, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
When sciatica is severe, it can lead to paralysis, which is why it is important to file a VA claim for it if you are currently suffering from the condition.
Common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Weakness in the legs
- Tingling as well as a burning sensation
- Numbness
- Moderate to extreme pain
- Difficulty moving around and walking
- Inability to move or paralysis
If you have sciatica, you may:
- Feel the most intense pain when sitting or standing for long periods.
- Experience relief when lying down or walking.
- Struggle to stand up or walk for extended durations.
- Notice that sudden movements, such as sneezing or coughing, can worsen the pain significantly.
How the VA Rates Sciatica
VA disability ratings for sciatica range from 10% to 80%, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
For example, the VA rating for incomplete paralysis is given based on whether the severity is mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe.
However, if you are suffering from total paralysis, it can cause all the muscles below the leg and knee to stop working altogether. In this case, you may be eligible for an 80% VA rating.
The VA rates sciatica under the following codes from the Schedule of Ratings for Neurological Conditions and Compulsive Disorders.
Diagnostic Code 8520: Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve
Paralysis of the sciatic nerve is a severe nerve condition that results in partial or complete loss of movement and sensation in the affected leg.
The sciatic nerve paralysis VA rating can range from 10% to 80%, depending on the severity of the paralysis, with complete paralysis resulting in the highest rating.
Your sciatic nerve VA rating will be determined by the level of nerve damage and the impact on your mobility, ranging from mild pain to complete paralysis.
- 80% VA Rating: Complete paralysis; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost
- 60% VA Rating: Incomplete, severe paralysis with marked muscular atrophy
- 40% VA Rating: Incomplete, moderately severe paralysis
- 20% VA Rating: Incomplete, moderate paralysis
- 10% VA Rating: Incomplete, mild paralysis
Note: Incomplete paralysis occurs when the nerve is damaged but still retains some function, leading to muscle weakness, reduced sensation, or partial loss of movement.
Complete paralysis, on the other hand, means total loss of function, where the affected muscles are entirely unresponsive, such as a foot drop in sciatic nerve paralysis.
Diagnostic Code 8620: Neuritis of the Sciatic Nerve
Neuritis of the sciatic nerve is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve that causes pain, tingling, numbness, and sometimes weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs, often leading to difficulty with movement and function.
- 60% VA Rating: Severe neuritis (constant nerve pain, severe numbness or tingling, loss of reflexes, and significant muscle weakness; includes marked muscular atrophy and sensory disturbances)
- 40% VA Rating: Moderately severe neuritis (motor and/or reflex impairment, weakness, diminished or hyperactive reflexes, high level of limitation or disability; atrophy may be present but not marked)
- 20% VA Rating: Moderate neuritis (frequent tingling or numbness, sensory disturbances, mild weakness, or diminished reflexes)
- 10% VA Rating: Mild sciatic neuritis (sporadic tingling or numbness, mild sensitivity to touch, no muscular atrophy, and minimal mobility issues)
Diagnostic Code: 8720: Sciatic Nerve Neuralgia
Sciatic nerve neuralgia is characterized by dull, intermittent pain, tingling, or burning sensations along the sciatic nerve, typically extending from the lower back through the buttocks and down the leg. It is often triggered by nerve irritation or compression.
The highest rating given for neuralgia is 20%. However, if your condition is not as serious, your rating will only be 10%.
VA ratings for sciatic nerve neuralgia are as follows:
- 20% VA Rating: Moderate neuralgia (increased sensitivity, intermittent numbness or tingling, and chronic nerve pain affecting a larger area in the nerve distribution. This level may include combinations of sensory changes and lower degree reflex or motor changes, such as weakness or diminished reflexes.)
- 10% VA Rating: Mild neuralgia (minimal muscle weakness, fluctuating pain, and mild tingling or numbness, typically affecting a smaller area and with less persistent symptoms. Reflex or motor abnormalities, if present, are minimal)
Proving Service Connection
To qualify for a sciatica VA disability rating, you must establish a service connection by proving your sciatic nerve condition is linked to your military service.
To prove service connection for sciatica, you must provide:
- A current sciatica diagnosis
- Evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness
- A medical nexus, or link, connecting your sciatica to your military service
See More: VA Service Connection Explained: How to Prove Your VA Disability Claim!
How to File Your Sciatica Claim
You can file a VA claim online, by mail, via fax, or in person at a VA regional office. If you choose a method other than online, you’ll need to download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ.
You can strengthen your VA claim by including the following:
- Medical evidence showing the onset and progression of sciatica symptoms.
- Medical records from both VA and civilian healthcare providers.
- Evidence of service-related injuries leading to sciatic nerve damage.
Wondering about the 8-step VA claim process? Click HERE to read it now.
Secondary Conditions to Sciatica
Secondary conditions to sciatica are health issues that develop because of your primary sciatica condition, often due to nerve damage, limited mobility, or pain caused by the sciatic nerve injury.
You may be eligible for additional VA compensation benefits if your secondary condition is either directly caused or aggravated by your service-connected sciatica.
Five secondary conditions of sciatica include:
- Muscle Atrophy
See More: What are VA Secondary Conditions?
C&P Exam for Sciatica
The VA may require you to attend a compensation & pension (C&P) exam as part of your disability claim.
A C&P exam for sciatica evaluates:
- If you have a diagnosed sciatic nerve condition.
- There is a service connection (either caused or worsened by military service or another service-connected disability).
- The severity of your symptoms, including their impact on work, daily life, and social functioning.
While not every VA claim requires a C&P exam, it’s crucial that you attend any scheduled appointments.
Missing your exam means the VA will proceed with your claim using only the available information, which may significantly impact the outcome and your benefits.
See More: What to Expect at a VA C&P Exam for Sciatica
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average VA rating for sciatica?
The average VA rating for sciatica typically ranges from 10% to 40%, depending on the severity of the condition.
How does the VA rate sciatica?
The VA rates sciatica under diagnostic codes 8520, 8620, and 8720, depending on the severity of nerve damage, the type of nerve condition (such as neuritis, neuralgia, or paralysis), and the level of impairment or loss of function in the affected leg.
What is the highest VA rating for sciatica?
The highest sciatica rating is 80% for complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, which occurs when the foot dangles and drops, with no active movement possible of muscles below the knee and weakened or lost knee flexion.
Your VA rating for sciatica will depend on the severity of your symptoms, the level of nerve impairment, medical evidence, and how significantly it affects your mobility and daily functioning.
Is there a bilateral sciatica VA rating?
Yes, sciatica can affect both sides of the body; therefore, a bilateral factor will also be added to your overall combined sciatica VA rating.
If you are suffering from bilateral sciatica, you want to ensure that you are given the correct VA rating to receive the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
See More: The VA Bilateral Factor
Can you get TDIU for sciatica?
You may qualify for total disability based on individual employability (TDIU) if your sciatica prevents you from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
TDIU VA disability awards 100% disability benefits even if your individual ratings are less than 100%.
See More: VA TDIU Approval Rate
How does the VA rate sciatica radiculopathy?
The sciatica radiculopathy VA rating is determined based on the severity of nerve damage and symptoms, with higher ratings given for more severe conditions such as muscle weakness, pain, and loss of function in the affected leg.
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Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
