Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Cranial Nerve Conditions
Diagnostic Code 8205 covers paralysis of the fifth cranial nerve (the trigeminal nerve), which carries feeling from the face and controls the chewing muscles. The VA rates it at 50% for complete paralysis, 30% for incomplete, severe paralysis, and 10% for incomplete, moderate paralysis. The rating schedule notes that the rating depends on the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.
Rating levels
- 50% — Complete paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve: the nerve no longer works, so you have lost sensation of the face and the muscles of chewing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.
- 30% — Severe incomplete paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve: a marked but not total loss of sensation of the face and the muscles of chewing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.
- 10% — Moderate incomplete paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve: a clear but partial loss of sensation of the face and the muscles of chewing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.
- Note — The rating for this nerve depends on relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.