Peripheral Neuropathy VA Disability Rating: Criteria, Evidence & Pay

What is peripheral neuropathy and how does it affect veterans?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves — the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that carry signals to and from your arms, legs, hands, and feet. This condition is extremely common among veterans, particularly those exposed to toxic substances like Agent Orange, burn pit smoke, and other environmental hazards, as well as veterans with service-connected diabetes.

The peripheral nerves control sensation, muscle movement, and autonomic functions. When these nerves are damaged, veterans experience numbness, tingling, burning pain, and weakness that typically begins in the feet and hands and progresses inward — a pattern doctors call “stocking-glove distribution.” Over time, the condition can lead to loss of balance, difficulty walking, chronic pain, and loss of fine motor control.

For many veterans, peripheral neuropathy is a daily struggle. The burning pain in the feet makes walking and standing painful. Numbness creates a dangerous loss of sensation that leads to injuries and falls. The progressive nature of the condition means that symptoms often worsen year after year, gradually stealing independence and quality of life.

The VA rates peripheral neuropathy under the peripheral nerve diagnostic codes in 38 CFR § 4.124a. The specific code depends on which nerve is affected — DC 8520 (sciatic nerve) for the lower extremities is the most common, though upper extremity codes apply when hands and arms are involved.

VA diagnostic code for peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities is most commonly rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 8520 per 38 CFR § 4.124a, Schedule of Ratings — Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves, covering paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

Other codes may apply depending on the affected nerves: DC 8521 (common peroneal nerve), DC 8524 (tibial nerve), DC 8515 (median nerve for the hand), DC 8516 (ulnar nerve for the hand), or DC 8510-8513 (upper extremity nerves). The VA should rate the specific nerve or nerves affected, and each extremity receives its own rating.

Rating criteria for peripheral neuropathy

The VA rates peripheral neuropathy based on the degree of nerve paralysis. Using the sciatic nerve (DC 8520) scale for lower extremity neuropathy:

0% rating

Criteria: Peripheral neuropathy has been diagnosed and service-connected, but symptoms are minimal and do not meet the criteria for mild incomplete paralysis.

Monthly payment: $0 (but establishes service connection — critical for future increases as the condition progresses)

10% rating — $180.42/month

Criteria: Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve.

What this looks like: You experience intermittent numbness, tingling, or burning in your feet or hands. Symptoms may worsen at night or with prolonged standing. Reflexes may be slightly diminished. Nerve conduction studies show mild abnormalities. You can still walk and perform daily activities with some discomfort.

20% rating — $356.66/month

Criteria: Moderate incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve.

What this looks like: Numbness and tingling are persistent rather than intermittent. Burning pain is a regular feature, particularly at night. You notice reduced sensation in your feet — you may not feel temperature changes, small objects underfoot, or minor injuries. Balance is affected, and you may stumble more frequently. Muscle weakness is measurable on testing.

40% rating — $795.84/month

Criteria: Moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve.

What this looks like: Significant sensory loss in the feet or hands. Burning pain is constant and requires medication. Muscle weakness noticeably affects your gait and ability to perform daily tasks. You may have developed foot ulcers due to loss of protective sensation. Walking without a cane or other assistive device is difficult. Falls have become a regular concern.

60% rating — $1,435.02/month

Criteria: Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy.

What this looks like: The affected limbs show visible muscle wasting — measurable reduction in the circumference of your calves or forearms compared to normal. Sensation is absent or nearly absent in large areas. Pain is severe and constant despite medication. You require assistive devices for walking. The muscles of the feet or hands show significant atrophy, and weakness profoundly limits function.

80% rating — $2,102.15/month

Criteria: Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of the knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.

What this looks like: Total loss of nerve function in the affected extremity. You cannot move your foot or ankle. Complete loss of sensation below the knee. You require a wheelchair or significant bracing for mobility. This level represents the maximum schedular rating for a single lower extremity under DC 8520.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Documentation of exposure to Agent Orange, burn pits, or other toxic substances (deployment records, unit histories, personnel records showing service in affected areas)
• Service treatment records showing early symptoms of neuropathy (numbness, tingling, foot pain)
• Records from the Agent Orange Registry or Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
• DD-214 confirming service in Vietnam, Thailand, or other locations with herbicide use, or service at locations with burn pit exposure

Medical evidence

• Nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) — These objective tests are the most important evidence for peripheral neuropathy claims. They document which nerves are affected and the severity of damage.
• Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy from a neurologist
• If secondary to diabetes: documentation of your diabetes diagnosis and your doctor’s opinion that the neuropathy is caused by diabetes
• Treatment records showing medications prescribed (gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, amitriptyline)
• Records of complications such as foot ulcers, falls, or injuries from sensory loss

Nexus letter

A medical opinion connecting your peripheral neuropathy to your military service. For toxic exposure cases, the letter should explain how exposure to specific substances (herbicides, burn pit emissions, industrial chemicals) damages peripheral nerves. For secondary claims (e.g., secondary to diabetes), the letter should explain the medical relationship between the primary condition and neuropathy.

Buddy statements

Statements from people who can describe your symptoms and limitations: difficulty walking, falling, inability to feel your feet, burns or injuries you didn’t notice due to numbness, inability to perform activities you once could. For toxic exposure claims, statements from fellow service members confirming your exposure to hazardous substances can be valuable.

Personal statement

Describe your toxic exposure history in detail if applicable — what substances you were exposed to, how often, and for how long. Describe your current symptoms with specificity: “I cannot feel the floor beneath my feet. I have burned my hands twice in the past year without realizing it. I fall at least once a month because my feet go completely numb. The burning pain in my feet keeps me awake most nights.”

C&P exam tips for peripheral neuropathy

What the examiner evaluates

• Sensory testing: light touch, pinprick, vibration sense, and temperature sensation in each extremity
• Motor testing: muscle strength grading in affected limbs
• Deep tendon reflexes (ankle jerk, knee jerk)
• Assessment of muscle atrophy — the examiner should measure and compare limb circumferences
• Gait and balance evaluation
• Review of nerve conduction study and EMG results
• Determination of severity for each affected extremity
• Assessment of functional limitations

How to prepare

1. Get a recent nerve conduction study. This is the single most important piece of evidence. It objectively documents nerve damage and its severity. If your last NCS/EMG is more than a year old, consider getting a new one.
2. Keep a symptom diary for the weeks leading up to the exam. Note falls, pain levels, activities you cannot perform, and how neuropathy affects your daily life.
3. Don’t take pain medication before the exam. The examiner needs to assess your condition without the masking effects of medication.
4. Show all affected extremities. If you have neuropathy in both feet and both hands, make sure the examiner evaluates all four extremities individually.
5. Bring documentation of your toxic exposure if applicable — deployment records, burn pit registry enrollment, Agent Orange registry records.
6. Report complications honestly. Mention falls, burns you didn’t feel, foot ulcers, balance problems, and difficulty with fine motor tasks.

Common mistakes

• Not getting a nerve conduction study — this is the most common and most costly mistake
• Only mentioning pain and forgetting to describe numbness, weakness, and balance problems
• Not requesting separate evaluations for each affected limb
• Failing to connect the neuropathy to its cause (toxic exposure, diabetes, or direct service injury)
• Not mentioning how symptoms affect employment and daily activities
• Wearing shoes that hide foot problems — if you have foot ulcers or deformities from neuropathy, the examiner should see them

Common secondary conditions linked to peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy frequently causes or is associated with other conditions:

• Depression — The chronic pain, progressive loss of function, and impact on quality of life from peripheral neuropathy are strongly associated with depression. The inability to walk comfortably, enjoy activities, or sleep through the night takes a significant mental health toll.
• Flat feet (pes planus) — Peripheral neuropathy weakens the intrinsic muscles of the feet, which can lead to progressive flattening of the arches and altered foot mechanics.
• Sleep apnea — Reduced mobility from neuropathy leads to weight gain, a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Medications for neuropathic pain can also affect sleep architecture.
• Falls and fractures — Loss of sensation and balance from neuropathy dramatically increases fall risk, leading to fractures and other injuries.
• Skin ulcers — Loss of protective sensation in the feet leads to unnoticed injuries that develop into chronic ulcers, particularly in diabetic veterans.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. Peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities can produce a high combined rating, especially with the bilateral factor applied to paired extremities.

For example, a veteran with 20% for each leg (bilateral neuropathy) plus 10% for each hand, combined with diabetes and other conditions, can achieve a significantly higher combined rating than any single condition alone.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple extremity ratings
• See how VA math combines ratings and applies the bilateral factor
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.