Femoral Neuropathy

DC 8526Neurological38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8526 — Anterior Crural (Femoral) Nerve Paralysis

Damage to the femoral nerve causing weakness in the thigh muscles and numbness in the front of the thigh and inner leg. Can result from combat injuries, surgical complications, or diabetes. Rated based on paralysis severity.

Rating Levels

Complete paralysis — you have loss of knee extension, loss of thigh flexion, and loss of sensation in the femoral nerve distribution.

What the VA looks for

Complete loss of knee extension
Loss of thigh flexion
Absent patellar reflex (knee jerk)
Complete sensory loss in femoral nerve distribution
EMG/NCS confirming complete femoral nerve paralysis
Severe quadriceps atrophy measurements documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Being confused with lumbar radiculopathy — femoral neuropathy involves the femoral nerve itself, while radiculopathy involves the nerve root. EMG/NCS can distinguish between the two, so make sure testing isolates the femoral nerve.
⚠Not getting EMG/NCS that specifically isolates the femoral nerve — without this objective evidence, the VA may attribute symptoms to a spinal condition rather than a peripheral nerve injury.
⚠Not documenting quadriceps atrophy measurements — measuring the circumference of both thighs provides objective evidence of muscle wasting.
⚠Not connecting the condition to service-connected diabetes or surgical complications — these are common causes that establish a secondary service connection.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Peripheral Nerves Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Femoral Neuropathy

Rating Levels

Complete paralysis — you have loss of knee extension, loss of thigh flexion, and loss of sensation in the femoral nerve distribution.

What the VA looks for

Complete loss of knee extension
Loss of thigh flexion
Absent patellar reflex (knee jerk)
Complete sensory loss in femoral nerve distribution
EMG/NCS confirming complete femoral nerve paralysis
Severe quadriceps atrophy measurements documented

Common Pitfalls

⚠Being confused with lumbar radiculopathy — femoral neuropathy involves the femoral nerve itself, while radiculopathy involves the nerve root. EMG/NCS can distinguish between the two, so make sure testing isolates the femoral nerve.

⚠Not getting EMG/NCS that specifically isolates the femoral nerve — without this objective evidence, the VA may attribute symptoms to a spinal condition rather than a peripheral nerve injury.

⚠Not documenting quadriceps atrophy measurements — measuring the circumference of both thighs provides objective evidence of muscle wasting.

⚠Not connecting the condition to service-connected diabetes or surgical complications — these are common causes that establish a secondary service connection.