Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

DC 8205Neurological38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8205

Chronic nerve pain that persists after a shingles (herpes zoster) outbreak. The pain follows the distribution of the affected nerve and can be burning, stabbing, or electric-shock-like in character, lasting months to years after the rash resolves.

How the VA rates this condition

The VA rates this condition based on how much it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. The examiner will focus on the functional limitations your condition causes, not just the diagnosis itself.

Diagnostic code

DC 8205

Rating range

10% – 50%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8205. This guide presents a plain-language summary and is not a substitute for the full regulatory text. Always consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney for case-specific advice.

Rating Levels

Complete neuralgia — your post-herpetic neuralgia causes constant, excruciating pain that is intractable to treatment and prevents normal daily functioning.

What the VA looks for

Constant excruciating pain refractory to all treatments
Complete intolerance to touch in affected area
Unable to perform normal daily activities due to pain
Refractory to nerve blocks, medications, and other interventions
Total occupational impairment due to pain severity

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not establishing service connection for the underlying shingles — shingles results from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which may be linked to immune suppression from service-connected conditions, medications, or military stress.
⚠Failing to document the persistence of pain beyond the shingles rash — post-herpetic neuralgia is defined as pain lasting more than 90 days after rash resolution. Medical records must clearly show this timeline.
⚠Not documenting allodynia (pain from light touch) — this hallmark symptom is often underreported but is critical evidence for a higher rating.
⚠Not filing secondary claims for depression, anxiety, or insomnia caused by chronic pain — these commonly co-occur with post-herpetic neuralgia and are independently ratable.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Cranial Nerve Conditions
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…

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 8205

Rating range

10% – 50%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

Complete neuralgia — your post-herpetic neuralgia causes constant, excruciating pain that is intractable to treatment and prevents normal daily functioning.

What the VA looks for

Constant excruciating pain refractory to all treatments
Complete intolerance to touch in affected area
Unable to perform normal daily activities due to pain
Refractory to nerve blocks, medications, and other interventions
Total occupational impairment due to pain severity

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not establishing service connection for the underlying shingles — shingles results from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which may be linked to immune suppression from service-connected conditions, medications, or military stress.

⚠Failing to document the persistence of pain beyond the shingles rash — post-herpetic neuralgia is defined as pain lasting more than 90 days after rash resolution. Medical records must clearly show this timeline.

⚠Not documenting allodynia (pain from light touch) — this hallmark symptom is often underreported but is critical evidence for a higher rating.

⚠Not filing secondary claims for depression, anxiety, or insomnia caused by chronic pain — these commonly co-occur with post-herpetic neuralgia and are independently ratable.