Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Cranial Nerve Conditions
Diagnostic Code 8207 covers paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve (the facial nerve), which controls the muscles of facial expression, such as closing the eye, smiling, and wrinkling the forehead. The VA rates it at 30% for complete paralysis, 20% for incomplete, severe paralysis, and 10% for incomplete, moderate paralysis. The rating schedule notes that the rating depends on the relative loss of innervation of the facial muscles.
Rating levels
- 30% — Complete paralysis of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve: the nerve no longer works, so you have lost the muscles of facial expression (closing the eye, smiling, moving the forehead and mouth) on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative loss of innervation of facial muscles.
- 20% — Severe incomplete paralysis of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve: a marked but not total loss of the muscles of facial expression (closing the eye, smiling, moving the forehead and mouth) on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative loss of innervation of facial muscles.
- 10% — Moderate incomplete paralysis of the seventh (facial) cranial nerve: a clear but partial loss of the muscles of facial expression (closing the eye, smiling, moving the forehead and mouth) on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative loss of innervation of facial muscles.
- Note — The rating for this nerve depends on relative loss of innervation of facial muscles.