Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Cranial Nerve Conditions
Diagnostic Code 8212 covers paralysis of the twelfth cranial nerve (the hypoglossal nerve), which controls movement of the tongue. 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 loss of motor function of the tongue.
Rating levels
- 50% — Complete paralysis of the twelfth (hypoglossal) cranial nerve: the nerve no longer works, so you have lost the muscles of the tongue, for speech and swallowing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the loss of motor function of tongue.
- 30% — Severe incomplete paralysis of the twelfth (hypoglossal) cranial nerve: a marked but not total loss of the muscles of the tongue, for speech and swallowing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the loss of motor function of tongue.
- 10% — Moderate incomplete paralysis of the twelfth (hypoglossal) cranial nerve: a clear but partial loss of the muscles of the tongue, for speech and swallowing on the affected side. The regulation rates this nerve on the loss of motor function of tongue.
- Note — The rating for this nerve depends on loss of motor function of tongue.