VA Disability Rating for Neuritis of eleventh cranial nerve (DC 8311)

Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Cranial Nerve Conditions

DC 8311 covers neuritis of the spinal accessory (eleventh cranial) nerve, inflammation of the nerve with loss of reflexes, muscle wasting, sensory changes or constant pain. It is rated as incomplete paralysis of that nerve: 20% for severe, 10% for moderate, 0% for mild (38 CFR 4.124a). Under 38 CFR 4.123 neuritis is rated no higher than severe incomplete paralysis, so the complete-paralysis figure of the paralysis code does not apply.

Rating levels

  • 20% — This 20% level applies when your neuritis of the eleventh (spinal accessory) cranial nerve amounts to severe incomplete paralysis of that nerve: marked loss of its function, usually with wasting of the muscles it supplies. Neuritis is rated on the same scale as incomplete paralysis of the nerve (38 CFR 4.123); without organic changes it is rated no higher than moderate. Complete paralysis is rated under the nerve's paralysis code, DC 8211.
  • 10% — This 10% level applies when your neuritis of the eleventh (spinal accessory) cranial nerve amounts to moderate incomplete paralysis of that nerve: a clear but partial loss of its function. Neuritis is rated on the same scale as incomplete paralysis of the nerve (38 CFR 4.123); without organic changes it is rated no higher than moderate. Complete paralysis is rated under the nerve's paralysis code, DC 8211.

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