Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Peripheral Nerves
Diagnostic Code 8511 covers paralysis of the middle radicular group, a group of nerve roots in the neck that serve the arm. With complete paralysis, moving the arm toward and away from the body (adduction and abduction), rotating the arm, bending the elbow, and extending the wrist are lost or severely affected. The VA rates complete paralysis at 70% for the dominant arm and 60% for the non-dominant arm. Incomplete paralysis is rated 50% (dominant) or 40% (non-dominant) when severe, 40% or 30% when moderate, and 20% for either arm when mild.
Rating levels
- 70% — You have complete paralysis of the nerve group that controls your middle arm muscles, which means you've lost or have severely limited ability to move your arm toward and away from your body (adduction and abduction), rotate your arm, bend your elbow, and bend your wrist backward. These movements are either completely gone or so impaired that they barely function at all.
- 60% — You have complete or near-complete loss of ability to move your arm inward toward your body (adduction), move it outward away from your body (abduction), rotate your arm, bend your elbow, and bend your wrist backward. These movements are either completely gone or so severely limited that they don't function properly for daily activities.
- 50% — Your middle radicular nerve group (the nerves that control certain arm and hand muscles) is severely damaged but not completely paralyzed. You have significant weakness and loss of function in the affected muscles, making it very difficult to perform normal activities with that arm or hand, but you still retain some limited movement or sensation.
- 40% — The paralysis of your middle radicular group (the nerves that control certain muscles in your arm) is severe but not complete. You have significant weakness and loss of function in the affected muscles, but you still retain some movement or sensation in that area rather than having total paralysis.
- 40% — The nerves that control certain muscles in your arm or shoulder are partially damaged but still working to some degree. You have noticeable weakness and difficulty moving or using the affected muscles, but you haven't completely lost all function - some movement and strength remain.
- 30% — Your middle radicular nerve group (the nerves that control certain arm and hand muscles) has moderate damage but still works partially. You experience noticeable weakness, reduced sensation, or limited movement in the affected muscles, but you haven't lost all function completely.
- 20% — You have mild damage to the nerves that control certain muscles in your arm or hand, but the paralysis (inability to move muscles normally) is not complete. You still have some movement and muscle function, but it's noticeably weaker or more limited than normal. The nerve damage affects what's called the "middle radicular group" (specific nerve roots in your spine that branch out to control particular muscles).
- 20% — You have mild damage to the nerves that control certain muscles in your arm or hand, but the paralysis (inability to move muscles normally) is not complete. You still have some movement and muscle function, but it's noticeably weaker or more limited than normal. The nerve damage affects what's called the "middle radicular group" (specific nerve roots in your spine that branch out to control particular muscles).