Paralysis of — VA Rating Criteria (38 CFR DC 8515)

The VA rates Paralysis of under Diagnostic Code 8515 at the following tiers: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%. The minimum 10% rating requires: Mild; 10. The maximum 70% rating requires: Complete; the hand inclined to the ulnar side, the index and middle fingers more extended than normally, considerable atrophy of the muscles of the thenar eminence, the thumb in the plane of the hand (ape hand); pronation incomplete and defective, absence of flexion of index finger and feeble flexion of middle finger, cannot make a fist, index and middle fingers remain extended; cannot flex distal phalanx of thumb, defective opposition and abduction of the thumb, at right angles to palm; flexion of wrist weakened; pain with trophic disturbances; 60.

Diagnostic Code 8515 is the VA rating identifier for Paralysis of within 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.124a. It defines the specific symptom criteria and percentage thresholds a VA adjudicator uses to assign a disability rating. The diagnostic code is listed on a veteran's rating decision letter.

The highest schedular rating for Paralysis of under DC 8515 is 70%. This tier requires: Complete; the hand inclined to the ulnar side, the index and middle fingers more extended than normally, considerable atrophy of the muscles of the thenar eminence, the thumb in the plane of the hand (ape hand); pronation incomplete and defective, absence of flexion of index finger and feeble flexion of middle finger, cannot make a fist, index and middle fingers remain extended; cannot flex distal phalanx of thumb, defective opposition and abduction of the thumb, at right angles to palm; flexion of wrist weakened; pain with trophic disturbances; 60. Veterans who cannot secure substantially gainful employment due to Paralysis of alone or in combination with other service-connected conditions may also qualify for TDIU at the 100% compensation rate under 38 CFR § 4.16.

Paralysis of is rated under 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8515. This section is part of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) and can be read in full at the eCFR website.

Conditions commonly secondary to Paralysis of include: Cervical Radiculopathy (Double Crush), Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Ulnar Neuropathy, Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow). Secondary conditions caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability are ratable under 38 CFR § 3.310. Medical nexus evidence linking the primary and secondary condition is required.

Service connection for Paralysis of requires three elements: (1) a current diagnosis of the condition, (2) an in-service event, injury, or disease that may have caused or aggravated it, and (3) a medical nexus connecting the current diagnosis to that in-service event. A nexus letter from a treating physician or independent medical examiner is the most reliable nexus evidence. C&P exam findings can also establish nexus if adequately documented.