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Sciatica (nerve pain down the leg)

Radiculopathy (pinched nerve from the back), sciatic nerve

What it is

Radiculopathy is nerve pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that runs from your spine down your leg because a nerve is pinched; VA rates each leg separately from your back.

VA's code numbers for this: 8520, 8620, 8720

What the examiner will do

  • The examiner tests strength in hips, knees, ankles, and toes, reflexes at the knee and ankle, and feeling with light touch.
  • They may do a straight-leg raise test and look for muscle wasting.
  • They rate symptoms on the form as none, mild, moderate, or severe for each leg, and pick which nerve is involved (often the sciatic nerve).
  • EMG nerve tests are usually not required to diagnose radiculopathy for VA.

The examiner fills out a form called a DBQ. You can read it ahead of time: Peripheral Nerves Conditions DBQ (updated 2026-06-01); also Section VIII of the Back DBQ (opens VA's site).

The rating levels, in plain words

VA rates most joints by how far they move. The less you can move, the higher the level.

Sciatic nerve, mild

  • 10%

    Mild incomplete paralysis (for example, numbness or tingling that is noticeable but limited): 10% for that leg.

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520

Sciatic nerve, moderate

  • 20%

    Moderate incomplete paralysis: 20%.

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520

Sciatic nerve, moderately severe

  • 40%

    Moderately severe incomplete paralysis: 40%.

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520

Sciatic nerve, severe

  • 60%

    Severe incomplete paralysis WITH marked muscle wasting (atrophy): 60%.

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520

Sciatic nerve, complete

  • 80%

    Complete paralysis: foot dangles and drops, no active movement below the knee: 80%.

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520

Sensory-only rule

  • See text

    If your symptoms are only feeling-related (pain, numbness, tingling) with no weakness or muscle loss, VA rates it mild, or at most moderate.

    Rule: 38 CFR 4.124a, note on incomplete paralysis

Measure it at home

With a helper and a cheap tool. Your home numbers help you describe your bad days honestly at the exam.

The tool to get

  • No goniometer needed.

  • A body outline drawing to shade where symptoms go.

  • A symptom log.

Step by step, with a helper

  1. 1. Map the symptoms

    How to stand or lie
    Any time symptoms happen.
    Where the tool goes
    Shade on a drawing exactly where pain, numbness, or tingling travels (buttock, back of thigh, calf, top or bottom of foot, which toes).
    Who holds what
    Spouse helps draw and dates each map.

  2. 2. Everyday weakness signs (observe, do not test hard)

    How to stand or lie
    Normal daily activity only.
    Where the tool goes
    Write down tripping, foot slapping, a foot that drags, trouble standing on toes or heels, or a calf that looks smaller. Do not try risky balance tests at home.
    Who holds what
    Spouse writes what they see and when.

Stop at the first real pain. Never force a joint to get a number. Stand close for balance during back and hip tests.

Your log: what to write each time

  1. Date
  2. Leg (R/L)
  3. Constant or comes and goes
  4. Pain 0-10
  5. Numbness?
  6. Tingling?
  7. Weakness, tripping, foot drag?
  8. How far down it goes
  9. What I could not do
  10. Notes

Tap Print this page to get a blank log sheet and your exam-day checklist on paper.

This is only to help you understand. The VA examiner measures and the VA decides.

Exam-day checklist

Tick each one off. Nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere.

Tell the examiner

Flare-ups

Describe nerve flare-ups the same way as joint flare-ups: how often, how long, and what you cannot do. Bring your symptom log.

Repeated use

Nerves are not tested with 3 motion repetitions, but tell the examiner if symptoms get worse after sitting, standing, or walking for a set time.

Honest exam rules

  • Move each joint until pain starts. Say 'pain starts here' out loud. Stop when pain or stiffness stops you. Do not push through sharp pain to look tough. Do not stop before pain or stiffness really stops you, either. The examiner writes down both points.
  • Give your real, full effort on strength tests. The goal is an exam that shows how you truly are.
  • Describe a typical day AND your worst days. Bad days count, but say they are bad days and how often they happen.
  • Take your medicine the way you normally do. Do not skip it, and do not take extra just for the exam. Tell the examiner what you took and when, and how you are when it wears off. (Court decisions Jones v. Shinseki (2012) and Ingram v. Collins (2025) say VA should not lower a joint rating because medicine helps, when the rating rules do not mention medicine. VA tried to change this by rule in February 2026 and took the change back on February 27, 2026.)
  • Wear or bring any brace, cane, crutches, or walker you normally use. Bring the prescription or a record showing a provider ordered it.
  • Bring a one-page list: your diagnoses, surgeries, treatments tried, medicines, how often you have flare-ups, your home measurement log, and what you can no longer do at work and at home.
  • If you do not know or do not remember, say so. Do not guess.
  • Fraud warning: knowingly giving VA false information is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. 1001) and can cost you all VA benefits (38 U.S.C. 6103). Honest, complete reporting is all you need.

Common mistakes

  • Never mentioning leg symptoms at the back exam, so radiculopathy is never rated.

    Where this comes from: 38 CFR 4.71a General Rating Formula, Note (1); Back DBQ Section VIII

  • Thinking you need an EMG first. The back DBQ says radiculopathy can be diagnosed from history and exam; EMG is rarely required.

    Where this comes from: Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) DBQ, Section VIII note

  • Not claiming both legs when both are affected. Each leg is rated, and VA adds the bilateral factor.

    Where this comes from: 38 CFR 4.124a; 38 CFR 4.26

  • Not describing weakness or muscle loss when you have it. Sensory-only symptoms cap at moderate.

    Where this comes from: 38 CFR 4.124a, note on incomplete paralysis

Questions to ask together

A spouse, grown child or friend can read these out loud. Talk about each one before the exam, so nothing gets left out.

  1. Does pain or numbness go down your leg? How far?
  2. Do you trip or catch your toe on the ground?
  3. Does your foot go numb when you sit for a while?
  4. Can you walk on your toes and on your heels? (Just ask; do not test hard.)
  5. Does it wake you up at night?

Sources

Checked against VA's rules on October 30, 2026.

Helping The Brave doesn't file or prepare claims. This guide is free education, not medical or legal advice. The VA examiner measures and VA decides your rating.