Radiculopathy — Cervical (Upper)

DC 8510Neurological38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8510 — Upper Radicular Group Paralysis

Pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the neck down the arm, caused by compression or irritation of a nerve root in the cervical spine. The VA rates this under the upper radicular group nerve code, with higher ratings for the dominant arm.

Rating Levels

You have complete paralysis of the upper radicular group (non-dominant arm). The dominant arm is rated at 70%. All shoulder and elbow movements are lost or severely impaired.

What the VA looks for

Complete paralysis of upper radicular group
Loss of shoulder and elbow movements
Severe muscle atrophy in upper arm
EMG/NCS confirming complete nerve paralysis

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not filing cervical radiculopathy as a separate rating from the neck condition — it uses a different diagnostic code and is rated independently.
⚠Not filing for both arms if symptoms are bilateral — each arm is rated separately.
⚠Not specifying which arm is dominant — the dominant arm receives a higher rating at moderate and above levels.
⚠Not getting EMG/nerve conduction studies — these objectively document the nerve involvement and its severity.
⚠Missing the connection to a cervical spine condition — make sure your neck condition is service-connected first, then file radiculopathy as secondary.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Peripheral Nerves Conditions
DBQ Neck (Cervical Spine) Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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