Sciatica is radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and VA rates it under Diagnostic Code 8520 (38 CFR 4.124a) by severity — mild 10%, moderate 20%, moderately severe 40%, severe with marked muscular atrophy 60%, and complete paralysis 80%, per leg. It's most often claimed as a secondary to a service-connected back condition, and it's one of the most under-claimed pieces of a spine rating.
Straight talk first
A lot of veterans get a back rating and stop there — never realizing the pain, numbness, or weakness shooting down the leg is a separately ratable condition. The spine issue irritates the nerve root; that's radiculopathy, and DC 8520 rates it on its own. If it hits both legs, that's two ratings, plus a possible bilateral bump. This is exactly the kind of point that sits unclaimed on a back file.
This is the sciatica cut of how VA rates conditions.
How the rating works (DC 8520)
The sciatic nerve is rated by how badly it's affected:
| Severity | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mild | 10% |
| Moderate | 20% |
| Moderately severe | 40% |
| Severe (with marked muscular atrophy) | 60% |
| Complete paralysis | 80% |
Complete paralysis is described as the foot dangling and dropping, with no active movement possible of the muscles below the knee. Each affected leg is rated separately.
Why sciatica is usually a secondary
Sciatica typically flows from a service-connected back condition — the disc or spine problem compresses or irritates the nerve root. That makes it a textbook secondary under 38 CFR 3.310: the back is the primary, and a medical opinion connects the radiculopathy to it. You can also claim it directly if the nerve injury itself traces to service.
Both legs — and the bilateral factor
If radiculopathy affects both legs, each leg is rated under DC 8520, and because they're paired lower extremities, the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26) can add value on top of the combined number. It's easy to undercount, so once both legs are in play, run it through the VA Combined Rating Calculator.
What you need to claim it
- A current diagnosis of radiculopathy (often confirmed by exam or nerve testing).
- The primary — your service-connected back condition (for a secondary claim).
- A medical nexus tying the nerve involvement to the back, "at least as likely as not."
The mechanics are in how to file your own claim.
Key takeaways
- Sciatica = sciatic-nerve radiculopathy, rated 10%–80% per leg under DC 8520.
- It's most often a secondary to a service-connected back condition (38 CFR 3.310).
- Both legs can be rated, and the bilateral factor can add value.
- Claiming the nerve involvement is how many veterans correctly raise an under-rated back claim.
Frequently asked questions
- How does VA rate sciatica?
- Sciatica is radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, rated under Diagnostic Code 8520 (38 CFR 4.124a) by severity: mild is 10%, moderate is 20%, moderately severe is 40%, severe with marked muscular atrophy is 60%, and complete paralysis is 80%. Each affected leg is rated separately.
- Is sciatica claimed as a secondary condition?
- Very often, yes. Sciatica usually flows from a service-connected back condition — the spine issue pinches or irritates the nerve root, sending pain down the leg. That makes it a classic secondary under 38 CFR 3.310, with the back as the primary and a medical opinion connecting them.
- Can both legs be rated for sciatica?
- Yes. If the radiculopathy affects both legs, each leg gets its own rating under DC 8520. Because these are paired lower extremities, the bilateral factor (38 CFR 4.26) can also add value when both are service-connected.
- What's the difference between sciatica and my back rating?
- They're separate. Your back (spine) condition is rated on its own under the musculoskeletal schedule, and the radiculopathy running down each leg is rated separately as a neurological condition under DC 8520. Claiming the nerve involvement is how veterans often raise an under-rated back claim.
Sources
- 38 CFR 4.124a — schedule of ratings, neurological conditions (DC 8520, sciatic nerve): https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.124a
- 38 CFR 3.310 — secondary service connection: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/section-3.310
- 38 CFR 4.26 — the bilateral factor: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/4.26
- VA — How VA decides service connection: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/
