Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Cranial Nerve Conditions
Diagnostic Code 8209 covers paralysis of the ninth cranial nerve (the glossopharyngeal nerve), which serves the throat. 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 ordinary sensation in the mucous membrane of the pharynx, fauces, and tonsils (the lining of the throat and tonsil area).
Rating levels
- 30% — Complete paralysis of the ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve: the nerve no longer works, so you have lost sensation in the back of the throat (pharynx, fauces and tonsils) and part of swallowing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative loss of ordinary sensation in mucous membrane of the pharynx, fauces, and tonsils.
- 20% — Severe incomplete paralysis of the ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve: a marked but not total loss of sensation in the back of the throat (pharynx, fauces and tonsils) and part of swallowing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative loss of ordinary sensation in mucous membrane of the pharynx, fauces, and tonsils.
- 10% — Moderate incomplete paralysis of the ninth (glossopharyngeal) cranial nerve: a clear but partial loss of sensation in the back of the throat (pharynx, fauces and tonsils) and part of swallowing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the relative loss of ordinary sensation in mucous membrane of the pharynx, fauces, and tonsils.
- Note — The rating for this nerve depends on relative loss of ordinary sensation in mucous membrane of the pharynx, fauces, and tonsils.