38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.124a

Neuritis Sciatic Nerve

dc-8620-neuritis-sciatic-nerve

Peripheral nerves

Diagnostic code

8620

Why your DC matters: DC 8620 is the exact code the VA uses to rate this condition. It determines which symptoms unlock which percentage, what evidence the rater looks for, and which secondaries are most likely to be approved.

Last verified against 38 CFR (eCFR Part 4): April 2, 2026

Rating criteria (38 CFR Part 4)

Diagnostic code 8620 — Neuritis Sciatic Nerve — is listed under 38 CFR § 4.124a in 38 CFR Part 4. The paragraphs below summarize how this code is used; the official schedule text controls exact percentages, formulas, and notes.

Schedule summary (educational, not a substitute for the regulation): Educational index row from the rating schedule naming convention; confirm exact diagnostic code, effective date, and criteria in the current eCFR Part 4.

Exact rating criteria: Open Part 4 in the eCFR (link under “Official source” below). Locate your diagnostic code number (8620) in the correct body-system subpart, or use Find in Page (Ctrl+F / ⌘F) for “8620”. Copy the verbatim rating table, including any parenthetical notes, exceptions, and cross-references, for the version of Part 4 that applies to your effective date.

Effective dates & which schedule version applies

Which diagnostic code, percentage, and effective date apply depends on the facts of your claim and the version of the rating schedule in force for the period being decided. Generally, VA applies the schedule in effect at the specified time under 38 U.S.C. § 5110 and implementing rules, subject to exceptions (e.g., protected ratings, liberalizing law changes—see regulation and VA manual policy as applicable).

For older claims, the **current** eCFR may not match the text that applied years ago. If your decision references a prior percentage or code, compare against the Part 4 text **as of** your claim’s relevant dates; historical Federal Register / CFR snapshots may be needed for precise comparison.

The “Last verified” date on this page is when we last checked this educational summary against the electronic CFR—not the date of any VA policy or your personal claim decision.

Notes for your claim

Evidence: Show that your diagnosis and severity match the factors the schedule names for DC 8620 (e.g., measurements, frequency, treatment, functional loss), with medical and lay evidence as appropriate.

C&P exams: Results should reflect the schedule’s requirements (correct joints measured, correct formulas). If the exam omits required findings, consider submitting records or requesting clarification.

If you disagree with the DC, percentage, or effective date, review the Part 4 text for your period and consider a supplemental claim or appeal with a VA-accredited representative.

This site does not provide legal advice.

Official source

38 CFR Part 4 (eCFR) — locate diagnostic code 8620 in the subpart for your body system (use Find in Page if needed).

DC 8620 covers the inflammatory/neuritic side of sciatic nerve disease — the complement to DC 8520 paralysis. Same tier percentages, same per-leg filing rule, same back-rating secondary play. Veterans with documented sciatic pain, paresthesia, or muscle weakness from disc disease, piriformis syndrome, or diabetic polyneuropathy often get coded under 8520 by default when the EMG/exam findings actually fit 8620 better. The practical outcome is identical at most tiers — but using the right DC heads off rating-reduction arguments later.

Rating Tiers — What Each Percentage Requires

Rating	What It Takes	Evidence That Supports It
60%	Severe incomplete paralysis, with marked muscular atrophy.	EMG showing chronic denervation; documented atrophy on exam; severe pain + weakness pattern across multiple visits.
40%	Moderately severe incomplete paralysis.	EMG abnormalities + persistent weakness + diminished reflexes; pain interfering with activity.
20%	Moderate incomplete paralysis.	Documented sciatica with sensory and/or motor findings on exam.
10%	Mild incomplete paralysis.	Subjective pain + sensory disturbance with minimal exam findings.

What Qualifies Under DC 8620?

Documented sciatic nerve inflammation/damage

Pain along sciatic distribution + sensory or motor findings + EMG or imaging evidence of organic nerve involvement.

Severity-based tiers

DC 8620 schedule mirrors DC 8520:

• 10% — Mild incomplete paralysis
• 20% — Moderate incomplete paralysis
• 40% — Moderately severe incomplete paralysis
• 60% — Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy
• 80% — Complete paralysis (foot drops, no movement below knee — rated under 8520 if true paralysis)

Language Your Rater Needs to See

These are the exact (or near-exact) regulatory phrases that unlock specific tiers. If your DBQ or C&P report doesn't use this vocabulary, the rater may default to a lower percentage even when symptoms qualify.

60%

“Marked muscular atrophy”

60% gate. Demands measurable circumferential calf/thigh atrophy on exam. Without atrophy charted in cm, the rater cannot grant 60% under 8620.

40%

“Moderately severe incomplete paralysis”

Bridge to 40%. EMG abnormality + persistent motor weakness + pain interference. Vague 'tingling' notes hold the case at 20%.

All tiers

“Neuritis with organic changes”

Per § 4.123, neuritis ratings require documented organic changes — atrophy, EMG findings, or sensory loss on exam. Pure subjective pain rates as neuralgia (DC 8720), capped lower.

Evidence Checklist — Specific to This Condition

EMG / nerve conduction study

CRITICAL

Documents organic nerve damage — the difference between DC 8620 neuritis (organic) and DC 8720 neuralgia (subjective). Required to defend the higher tiers.

Neurological exam with reflex + sensory grading

CRITICAL

Achilles reflex grade, dermatomal sensory loss, straight leg raise (SLR), motor grade. Drives moderate vs. moderately severe tier.

Imaging (MRI lumbar spine)

IMPORTANT

Establishes the anatomical source — disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, etc. Supports back-rating secondary linkage.

Circumferential limb measurements

IMPORTANT

Calf/thigh circumference in cm vs. contralateral. The 60% gate requires marked atrophy in writing.

Pain/functional limitation diary

SUPPORTING

Concrete impact: 'Can't sit > 20 min without sciatic pain shooting to foot.' Drives severity tier.

C&P Exam Tips

✓

Ask the examiner to measure both calves and both thighs in cm

Atrophy must be documented in cm, not just 'mild atrophy.' Numbers anchor the rating.

✓

Bring EMG and MRI reports printed

Don't trust the examiner to pull them. Hand them over with the relevant findings highlighted.

✓

Describe sciatic pain by exact distribution

'Sharp pain from buttock down posterior thigh, calf, to lateral foot' = textbook L5/S1 distribution. Anatomical specificity matters.

❌

Don't say 'I have back pain that shoots down my leg'

That's how veterans get rated under the back code only. Be explicit: 'I have sciatic nerve damage from my back condition; that's a separate condition.'

Common Mistakes That Cost Veterans Points

Filing as 'back pain' without claiming sciatic neuritis separately

Per VAOPGCPREC 23-97 logic, neurologic impairment from spine disease rates separately. If you have a back rating, file 8620 (or 8520) per leg.

Accepting DC 8720 neuralgia when 8620 neuritis fits

8720 neuralgia caps lower than 8620 neuritis at the highest tiers. If EMG shows nerve damage with motor findings, push for 8620.

Filing one rating for bilateral sciatica

Each leg is a separate nerve, separate rating, separate bilateral factor enhancement. File both.

Missing the diabetic peripheral neuropathy presumptive lane

Type 2 diabetic veterans with documented sciatic neuritis can claim secondary via diabetic polyneuropathy — direct nexus, no extra evidence required if DM is service-connected.

Tactical Plays

⚡ Pair 8620 with your existing back rating — they don't pyramid

If you have a back rating (5237, 5242, 5243), the sciatic neuritis is a separate rating on each leg. Most veterans miss this entirely. File 8620 per leg even if you already won the back claim.

⚡ Push 8620 over 8720 if EMG shows organic damage

Neuritis (8620) tops out higher than neuralgia (8720) at the upper tiers. Get the EMG/NCS done — if it shows axonal loss or chronic denervation, demand 8620 coding, not 8720.

⚡ Bilateral filing unlocks the bilateral factor

Two 20% sciatic ratings combine to ~36% before the 10% bilateral factor, which pushes them higher. File each leg as its own claim line.

Secondary Conditions to File With This One

Lumbar spine disease (primary cause)

STRONG

DC 5237 / 5242 / 5243

Disc disease or strain in the lumbar spine is the most common cause of sciatic neuritis. Rate the back separately.

Contralateral sciatic neuritis

MODERATE

DC 8620

Bilateral disc disease often produces bilateral neurologic findings; each leg files separately.

Diabetes mellitus (presumed cause)

MODERATE

DC 7913

Diabetic polyneuropathy is a recognized cause of sciatic nerve dysfunction; presumptive pathway if DM is service-connected.

⚡Neuritis vs. neuralgia — what's the difference?

Neuritis (DC 8620) involves organic nerve damage — atrophy, EMG abnormality, motor deficit. Neuralgia (DC 8720) is pain-predominant without organic findings. Neuritis rates higher at upper tiers.

📏What's 'Marked Muscular Atrophy'?

Measurable calf or thigh circumference loss vs. the unaffected side. Documented in cm by the examiner — not just 'mild atrophy.' Required for 60%.

↔️Why file each leg separately?

Each sciatic nerve is independently ratable. Bilateral filing also triggers the 10% bilateral factor enhancement per § 4.26 — your combined rating climbs faster.

How to File Your Claim

Pull EMG / NCS and MRI reports

Establishes the organic nerve injury — the difference between 8620 and 8720.

Get neurological exam with limb measurements

Circumferential measurements in cm + reflex grading + sensory mapping.

File 21-526EZ specifying 'sciatic neuritis (DC 8620)' for EACH leg

Two separate line items if bilateral. Reference any existing back rating as the underlying cause.

Document functional impact

Sitting tolerance, walking distance, ability to drive — the practical limitations support tier escalation.

Stack as secondary to back or diabetes

Direct nexus if either is already service-connected. Cleanest lane.

Typical Claim Timeline

File initial claim

Day 0–7: Submit VA Form 21-526EZ with all medical evidence on file

VA acknowledges claim

Week 1–2: Receive confirmation letter and claim tracking number

C&P examination scheduled

Month 1–3: VA contracts an exam vendor and sends you appointment notice

Attend C&P exam

Bring your full evidence package; describe symptoms on your worst days, not your best

Decision & rating notice

Month 3–6: Decision letter with rating percentage and effective date

First payment & retro back pay

Within 15 days of decision; retroactive to claim date (or effective date if earlier)

Timeline varies by case complexity and VA regional office workload. Some claims resolve faster; others take longer.

Important Considerations

↔️

Each leg is its own rating

Bilateral sciatic neuritis = two separate claims + bilateral factor. Many veterans only file one.

⚡

Don't get downgraded from 8620 to 8720

Neuritis (organic) rates higher than neuralgia (subjective pain only). Bring EMG/NCS to defend the 8620 coding.

📏

Atrophy must be documented in cm for 60%

Examiner needs to measure both calves and both thighs. Ask explicitly at the C&P.

🔗

Stacks on top of any back rating

Spine code rates the back. Sciatic neuritis rates the leg nerve. Two different things — file both.

Related Tools & Resources

📋Evidence Checklist Generator

Build your evidence collection plan

🔗Secondary Condition Mapper

Find all potential secondary claims

📊Rating Estimator

Calculate your combined rating

💰SMC Guide

Understand Special Monthly Compensation

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between DC 8520 and DC 8620?

DC 8520 is sciatic paralysis (motor loss predominant). DC 8620 is sciatic neuritis (inflammatory nerve damage with organic findings). Same tier percentages. Use 8620 when the diagnosis is neuritic; use 8520 if there's frank paralysis with foot drop.

Can I file BOTH a back rating AND sciatic neuritis?

Yes — they rate under different DCs and address different impairments. The back code rates spine ROM/ankylosis; DC 8620 rates the leg nerve. No pyramiding.

Does diabetic sciatica qualify under DC 8620?

Yes — if your diabetic peripheral neuropathy primarily affects the sciatic distribution with documented organic findings (EMG abnormalities, atrophy, motor deficit), DC 8620 is the right code. Presumptive secondary if DM is service-connected.

How do I get above 20% under DC 8620?

Demand EMG documentation of organic damage. Get circumferential limb measurements at the C&P (40%+ needs documented weakness; 60% needs marked atrophy). Pain alone keeps you at 10-20%.

Official Regulatory Source

Sciatic neuritis is rated under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8620 — same tier percentages as DC 8520 (paralysis).

38 CFR § 4.124a — Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves (eCFR) →

Scroll to DC 8620. Note § 4.123 governs the broader neuritis evaluation rules.

Next Steps

If your rating decision lists DC 8620, compare your current symptoms and documentation against the criteria above. Consider:

Requesting a copy of your rating decision and C&P exam report from the VA
Gathering all relevant medical records (VA and private providers)
Documenting functional limitations and how they impact work and daily activities
Obtaining a nexus letter if needed to establish or strengthen service connection
Filing for secondary conditions that may be related to this primary condition
Contacting a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney to review your file

This is general educational information only — not legal or medical advice.

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 8620 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information only based on public VA regulations (38 CFR) and va.gov resources. It is not legal, medical, or claims assistance. Ratings and service connections are decided case-by-case by the VA based on the individual veteran’s evidence. We do not prepare claims, generate documents, or provide personalized advice. Always consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or your physician for help with your specific situation. Verify the latest rules on va.gov.