Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124aDBQ: DBQ NEURO Peripheral Nerves
Diagnostic Code 8513 covers paralysis of all radicular groups, meaning all of the nerve roots that supply one arm, so the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand are all affected. The VA rates complete paralysis at 90% for the dominant arm and 80% for the non-dominant arm. Incomplete paralysis is rated 70% (dominant) or 60% (non-dominant) when severe, 40% or 30% when moderate, and 20% for either arm when mild.
Rating levels
- 90% — This is complete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). The shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand are all affected.
- 80% — This is complete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). The shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand are all affected.
- 70% — You have severe but not complete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). There is major weakness and loss of function from the shoulder to the hand, but some movement or feeling remains.
- 60% — You have severe but not complete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). There is major weakness and loss of function from the shoulder to the hand, but some movement or feeling remains.
- 40% — You have moderate, incomplete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). There is noticeable weakness and loss of function from the shoulder to the hand, but you keep useful movement.
- 30% — You have moderate, incomplete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). There is noticeable weakness and loss of function from the shoulder to the hand, but you keep useful movement.
- 20% — You have mild, incomplete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). There is some weakness or loss of feeling in the arm and hand, but most function remains.
- 20% — You have mild, incomplete paralysis of all the radicular groups of one arm (all of the nerve roots that supply the arm). There is some weakness or loss of feeling in the arm and hand, but most function remains.