Body system: Neurological Conditions and Convulsive DisordersRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.124a
Neuritis under diagnostic code 8618 refers to inflammation of nerves, specifically affecting the axillary nerve that controls shoulder movement and sensation. The VA rates this condition based on how severely the nerve inflammation affects your ability to move your arm and shoulder, with ratings from 0% to 40%. Higher ratings reflect more severe limitations in lifting your arm away from your body (abduction) and rotating it outward, which can significantly impact daily activities like reaching overhead or behind your back.
Rating levels
- 30% — Under 38 CFR §4.124a, neuritis of the circumflex nerve is rated by reference to the paralysis tiers for the same nerve. Without organic changes (muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, sensory disturbances), the maximum rating is moderate incomplete paralysis. With demonstrable organic changes, severe incomplete paralysis applies; complete paralysis is rated under the 85-series paralysis code for this nerve.
- 20% — Under 38 CFR §4.124a, neuritis of the circumflex nerve is rated by reference to the paralysis tiers for the same nerve. Without organic changes (muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, sensory disturbances), the maximum rating is moderate incomplete paralysis. With demonstrable organic changes, severe incomplete paralysis applies; complete paralysis is rated under the 85-series paralysis code for this nerve.
- 10% — Under 38 CFR §4.124a, neuritis of the circumflex nerve is rated by reference to the paralysis tiers for the same nerve. Without organic changes (muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, sensory disturbances), the maximum rating is moderate incomplete paralysis. With demonstrable organic changes, severe incomplete paralysis applies; complete paralysis is rated under the 85-series paralysis code for this nerve.
- 10% — Under 38 CFR §4.124a, neuritis of the circumflex nerve is rated by reference to the paralysis tiers for the same nerve. Without organic changes (muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, sensory disturbances), the maximum rating is moderate incomplete paralysis. With demonstrable organic changes, severe incomplete paralysis applies; complete paralysis is rated under the 85-series paralysis code for this nerve.
- 0% — Under 38 CFR §4.124a, neuritis of the circumflex nerve is rated by reference to the paralysis tiers for the same nerve. Without organic changes (muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, sensory disturbances), the maximum rating is moderate incomplete paralysis. With demonstrable organic changes, severe incomplete paralysis applies; complete paralysis is rated under the 85-series paralysis code for this nerve.
- 0% — Under 38 CFR §4.124a, neuritis of the circumflex nerve is rated by reference to the paralysis tiers for the same nerve. Without organic changes (muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, sensory disturbances), the maximum rating is moderate incomplete paralysis. With demonstrable organic changes, severe incomplete paralysis applies; complete paralysis is rated under the 85-series paralysis code for this nerve.