Sciatic Nerve Injury, Complete

DC 8520Neurological38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520

Damage to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which runs from the lower back down through each leg. Injury can cause pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the leg and foot. The VA rates sciatic nerve injuries based on how complete the paralysis is.

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 8520

Rating range

10% – 80%

Rating levels

Rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520. 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

You have complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Your foot dangles and drops, you have no active movement below the knee, and your knee flexion is weakened or lost.

What the VA looks for

Complete foot drop documented
No active movement below the knee
Complete sensory loss in sciatic distribution
Weakened or absent knee flexion
EMG/NCS confirming complete sciatic nerve lesion
Wheelchair or significant assistive device use

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting an EMG and nerve conduction study — the VA uses these tests to determine the severity of the nerve injury. Without them, the examiner may underrate your condition based on subjective findings alone.
⚠Confusing sciatica symptoms from a back condition with a direct sciatic nerve injury — if your sciatic symptoms are caused by a lumbar disc herniation, the nerve symptoms should be rated separately from the back condition as radiculopathy.
⚠Not documenting muscle atrophy — the 60% rating specifically requires "marked muscular atrophy." Ask your doctor to measure and compare leg circumferences and document any visible muscle wasting.
⚠Failing to report all functional limitations — describe how the nerve injury affects walking, standing, climbing stairs, and driving, as the rating depends on the degree of incomplete vs. complete paralysis.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Peripheral Nerves

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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

Sciatic Nerve Injury, Complete

How the VA rates this condition

Diagnostic code

DC 8520

Rating range

10% – 80%

Rating levels

Rating Levels

You have complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Your foot dangles and drops, you have no active movement below the knee, and your knee flexion is weakened or lost.

What the VA looks for

Complete foot drop documented
No active movement below the knee
Complete sensory loss in sciatic distribution
Weakened or absent knee flexion
EMG/NCS confirming complete sciatic nerve lesion
Wheelchair or significant assistive device use

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting an EMG and nerve conduction study — the VA uses these tests to determine the severity of the nerve injury. Without them, the examiner may underrate your condition based on subjective findings alone.

⚠Confusing sciatica symptoms from a back condition with a direct sciatic nerve injury — if your sciatic symptoms are caused by a lumbar disc herniation, the nerve symptoms should be rated separately from the back condition as radiculopathy.

⚠Not documenting muscle atrophy — the 60% rating specifically requires "marked muscular atrophy." Ask your doctor to measure and compare leg circumferences and document any visible muscle wasting.

⚠Failing to report all functional limitations — describe how the nerve injury affects walking, standing, climbing stairs, and driving, as the rating depends on the degree of incomplete vs. complete paralysis.