Musculocutaneous nerve (superficial peroneal), paralysis — VA Diagnostic Code 8522

The Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves block says: The term “incomplete paralysis,” with this and other peripheral nerve injuries, indicates a degree of lost or impaired function substantially less than the type picture for complete paralysis given with each nerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partial regeneration. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateral involvement; when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor. Wholly sensory involvement should be mild, or at most moderate. On this scale those lines are 0 and 10. 38 CFR § 4.26 is the bilateral factor. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just. 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided, and that the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

38 CFR § 4.123 says: “Neuritis, cranial or peripheral, characterized by loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances, and constant pain, at times excruciating, is to be rated on the scale provided for injury of the nerve involved, with a maximum equal to severe, incomplete, paralysis. See nerve involved for diagnostic code number and rating. The maximum rating which may be assigned for neuritis not characterized by organic changes referred to in this section will be that for moderate, or with sciatic nerve involvement, for moderately severe, incomplete paralysis.” This scale has no moderately severe line. The sciatic clause is a different nerve. On this scale, severe is 20 and moderate is 10. 38 CFR § 4.124 says: “Neuralgia, cranial or peripheral, characterized usually by a dull and intermittent pain, of typical distribution so as to identify the nerve, is to be rated on the same scale, with a maximum equal to moderate incomplete paralysis. See nerve involved for diagnostic code number and rating. Tic douloureux, or trifacial neuralgia, may be rated up to complete paralysis of the affected nerve.” The tic douloureux sentence is not this nerve. Moderate on this scale is 10.

38 CFR § 4.63(b) names complete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve (common peroneal) and consequent footdrop. It does not name the musculocutaneous nerve (superficial peroneal) or DC 8522. DC 8521 is that external popliteal nerve. Its complete sentence is not “eversion of foot weakened.”

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “peroneal,” “8522,” or “musculocutaneous.” This page does not add DC 8522 to a presumptive row.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8522, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.