Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Cranial Nerve Conditions
DC 8211 covers paralysis of the spinal accessory nerve, the eleventh cranial nerve, which works the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles that shrug the shoulder and turn the head. The VA rates complete paralysis at 30%, severe incomplete at 20% and moderate incomplete at 10%, judged by the loss of motor function of those muscles (38 CFR 4.124a).
Rating levels
- 30% — Complete paralysis of the eleventh (spinal accessory) cranial nerve: the nerve no longer works, so you have lost the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles that turn the head and shrug the shoulder on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the loss of motor function of sternomastoid and trapezius muscles.
- 20% — Severe incomplete paralysis of the eleventh (spinal accessory) cranial nerve: a marked but not total loss of the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles that turn the head and shrug the shoulder on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the loss of motor function of sternomastoid and trapezius muscles.
- 10% — Moderate incomplete paralysis of the eleventh (spinal accessory) cranial nerve: a clear but partial loss of the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles that turn the head and shrug the shoulder on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the loss of motor function of sternomastoid and trapezius muscles.
- Note — The rating for this nerve depends on loss of motor function of sternomastoid and trapezius muscles.