★ Rating percentages & 2026 pay
VA Rating for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
38 CFR § 4.124a (sciatic DC 8520, femoral DC 8526, ulnar DC 8516, median DC 8515, and related nerve codes)
Every percentage, and what it pays in 2026
| Rating | 2026 monthly | What that level generally requires |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180/mo | Mild incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve — sensory symptoms (numbness, tingling, mild burning) without motor loss. |
| 20% | $357/mo | Moderate incomplete paralysis (upper extremity, non-dominant) or mild-to-moderate involvement depending on the specific nerve. |
| 20–40% | $357/mo | Moderate to moderately severe incomplete paralysis — sensory loss plus some motor weakness or muscle atrophy. |
| 40–60% | $796/mo | Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscle atrophy — for the sciatic nerve, foot drop and significant gait impairment. |
| 60–80% | $1,435/mo | Complete paralysis of the affected nerve (e.g., complete sciatic = 80%). |
Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.124a (sciatic DC 8520, femoral DC 8526, ulnar DC 8516, median DC 8515, and related nerve codes). Rates are the published 2026 schedule (effective December 1, 2025, 2.8% COLA) and are shown for reference only — they are not an estimate of what any individual claim will pay. 10% and 20% pay a flat amount with no dependent increase.
What it adds to your existing rating
Combine it with your current rating
VA does not add ratings together — it combines them on a "whole person" basis under 38 CFR § 4.25, then rounds to the nearest 10.
Illustrative math on the published 2026 rate schedule for a veteran with no dependents. It is not a prediction, an estimate of your claim, or a statement that any rating is achievable.
Why a rating lands lower than the records suggest
- The exam captured a good day. Ratings are built from what the C&P examiner recorded. If flare-ups, fatigue, or repeated-use loss were not documented, they were not rated — 38 CFR § 4.40 and § 4.45 require them to be considered when they are in the record.
- The criteria were read as a checklist. Under 38 CFR § 4.7, when the disability picture more nearly approximates the higher level, the higher level applies. A partially-met tier is not automatically the lower tier.
- Secondary conditions were never claimed. A separately ratable secondary condition adds to the combined rating; it does not raise this diagnostic code's percentage.
- Pyramiding was applied too broadly. 38 CFR § 4.14 bars rating the same symptom twice — it does not bar rating distinct manifestations under different codes.
For the full evidence checklist, C&P exam detail, and secondary pathways, read the complete Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy claim guide.
Common questions
What is the highest VA rating for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
The schedular maximum under 38 CFR § 4.124a (sciatic DC 8520, femoral DC 8526, ulnar DC 8516, median DC 8515, and related nerve codes) is 60%. A higher combined rating is possible when other service-connected conditions, secondary conditions, or an extraschedular or TDIU pathway apply, but those are separate determinations.
How much does a 60% rating pay in 2026?
$1,435 per month for a veteran with no dependents, under the rate schedule effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA). Ratings of 30% and above increase with dependents.
Can Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy be rated at 0%?
Yes. VA can grant service connection and assign a noncompensable (0%) rating when the condition is established but the findings do not meet the criteria for a compensable level. A 0% rating still preserves the effective date and can be increased later if the condition worsens.
Do I need a separate nexus letter to claim diabetic neuropathy as secondary?
Usually no — when diabetes is already service-connected and treatment records explicitly attribute the neuropathy to diabetes, the nexus is generally accepted. A nexus letter becomes important when records are silent on cause or when the examiner attributes neuropathy to a non-service-connected cause (e.g., alcohol, idiopathic).
How is bilateral lower extremity neuropathy rated?
Each leg is rated separately under the affected nerve (typically sciatic, DC 8520). The two ratings are combined using the VA combined ratings table, then the bilateral factor adds 10% of the combined value as an additional bump.
Think your Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy rating is too low?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. No fee unless past-due benefits are awarded on an appeal.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.