Rating Schedule for the Cranial Nerves

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The cranial nerves are those that come directly from the brain, not the spinal cord.

NOTE:

  • While there are a total of 12 cranial nerves. Only 6 of them can be rated under this schedule. The other 6 are rated under the Special senses schedule.

PYRAMIDING NOTES:

  • The nerve can only be rated under ONE category OR however it affects range of motion (ROM). Whichever will give the Veteran the highest rating.

    • However, if the Veteran has a Musculoskeletal issue that can be attributed to the limitation of ROM. Then the Veteran CAN get separate ratings for both the nerve AND the ROM!

  • The Veteran CAN get separate evaluations for each of the following 6 nerves.

  • There are a pair of nerves (each controlling a side of the body). The Veteran CAN get an individual rating for BOTH sides affected! Meaning a Veteran can get upwards of a total of 12 separate evaluations! Do know that the cranial nerves however are NOT eligible for the Bilateral factor.

Categorizes & Severity Explained

Nerve conditions are placed into 1 of 3 categories. Which are then rated upon their severity.

Paralysis

Inability to control or sense.

  • Incomplete (Mild) - Feelings of tingling or mild pain. Some mild ROM impacts.

  • Incomplete (Moderate) - Feelings of tingling, numbness, moderate pain, or other symptoms that do interfere with ability to function.

  • Incomplete (Severe) - Ability to function is seriously limited. Symptoms might include things like poor blood circulation and loss of muscle mass.

  • Complete - No sensation or control, basically it is gone.

Neuritis

Pain or numbness without nerve degeneration or objective signs of nerve dysfunction (the doctor seeing/finding it).

  • Mild - Loss of sensation, loss of muscle mass, or loss of reflexes. The total impact does not significantly impacts ability to function.

  • Moderate - Loss of sensation, loss of muscle mass, or loss of reflexes. The total impact significantly impacts ability to function.

  • Severe - Loss of sensation, loss of muscle mass, and loss of reflexes. The total impact seriously impacts ability to function.

Neuralgia

Stabbing, burning, and often severe pain due to an irritated or damaged nerve.

  • Mild - Tingling or mild pain. The total impact does not really affect overall function.

  • Moderate - Tingling, numbness, or moderate to severe pain. The total impact significantly impacts ability to function.

The Trigeminal Nerve (V Nerve, Fifth Nerve)

Nerve that lets your feel your face and controls chewing and biting.

NOTE:

8205 Paralysis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Incomplete (Moderate).
30% Incomplete (Severe).
50% Complete (Unable to move the jaw at all and there is no sensation in the face).

8305 Neuritis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.
30% Severe.

8405 Neuralgia

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.

The Facial Nerve (VII Nerve, Seventh Nerve)

Nerve that lets you move your face muscles.

8207 Paralysis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Incomplete (Moderate).
20% Incomplete (Severe).
30% Complete (Cannot make any facial expressions).

8307 Neuritis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.
20% Severe.

8407 Neuralgia

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.

The Glossopharynegal Nerve (IX Nerve, Ninth Nerve)

Nerve that provides feeling in throat/tonsils and controls swallowing.

8209 Paralysis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Incomplete (Moderate).
20% Incomplete (Severe).
30% Complete (Difficult or impossible to swallow).

8309 Neuritis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.
20% Severe.

8409 Neuralgia

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.

The Vagus Nerve (X Nerve, Tenth Nerve)

Nerve that helps control swallowing and speaking, also helps control the heart.

8210 Paralysis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Incomplete (Moderate).
30% Incomplete (Severe).
50% Complete (High heart rate, high blood pressure, difficulty swallowing, and speaking).

8310 Neuritis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.
30% Severe.

8410 Neuralgia

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.

The Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI Nerve, Eleventh Nerve, Accessory Nerve)

Nerve that controls ability to shrug your shoulders and move your head.

NOTE:

8211 Paralysis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Incomplete (Moderate).
20% Incomplete (Severe).
30% Complete (Difficult or impossible to turn head or shrug shoulders).

8311 Neuritis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.
20% Severe.

8411 Neuralgia

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.

The Hypoglossal Nerve (XII Nerve, Twelfth Nerve)

Nerve that controls the tongue.

8212 Paralysis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Incomplete (Moderate).
30% Incomplete (Severe).
50% Complete (Cannot move tongue).

8312 Neuritis

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.
30% Severe.

8412 Neuralgia

Rating
 Description
10%
 Moderate.

Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQs)

To get an idea of how a C&P exam will be conducted it is recommended that the Veteran look at the applicable DBQ.

Veteran's may ask a physician to complete a DBQ on their behalf to submit with their claim. For more information on DBQs click HERE.

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