Sciatica — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Sciatica
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960C-10 (Peripheral Nerves Conditions (Not Including Diabetic Sensory-Motor Peripheral Neuropathy)) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Sciatica — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Sciatica, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Sciatica
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520 (sciatic nerve). Rated on the degree of incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, not on limitation of motion.. Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
Moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
Moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
Severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, with marked muscular atrophy.
Complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve: the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of the muscles below the knee, and flexion of the knee is weakened or (very rarely) lost.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Sciatica raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Sciatica claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
Military Medicine, 2023 · PMID 35788861
Finding: Among U.S. active duty service members, low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica) are common causes of disability that affect job performance and readiness and can lead to medical separation. In this surgical series of 21 service members who required lumbar fusion, only 52.4% returned to full duty, 19% were medically separated, and 28.6% remained on partial or limited duty.
Why it helps: Supports an association between military service and disabling lumbar radiculopathy/sciatica, documenting that the condition is common enough in active duty members to cause limited duty and medical separation.
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2019 · PMID 31529375
Finding: The joint VA/DoD evidence-based clinical practice guideline, developed using a systematic literature search and GRADE methodology, provides the framework VA and DoD clinicians use to evaluate and manage low back pain including lumbar radicular pain (sciatica) in service members and veterans.
Why it helps: Supports that low back pain and radicular/sciatic pain are recognized by VA and DoD as conditions warranting structured diagnosis and treatment in the veteran population, useful context for establishing service relevance of the condition.
American Journal of Epidemiology, 2014 · nexus to obesity / weight gain · PMID 24569641
Finding: In a meta-analysis of 26 studies, both overweight (pooled OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.14-1.33) and obesity (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.27-1.55) were associated with lumbar radicular pain, with a dose-response relationship; obesity was also associated with physician-diagnosed sciatica (OR 1.31), hospitalization for sciatica (OR 1.38), and surgery for lumbar disc herniation (OR 1.89).
Why it helps: Supports an association between obesity and sciatica, relevant when weight gain is itself linked to service-connected conditions (e.g., reduced mobility from musculoskeletal injury, psychiatric medications, or PTSD-related lifestyle changes).
American Journal of Medicine, 2016 · nexus to tobacco use disorder · PMID 26403480
Finding: In a meta-analysis of 28 studies (over 459,000 participants), current smokers had an increased risk of lumbar radicular pain or clinically verified sciatica (pooled adjusted OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.30-1.64), including a 1.45-fold risk of hospitalization or surgery for herniated disc/sciatica; risk was lower but still elevated in former smokers (OR 1.15).
Why it helps: Supports an association between smoking and sciatica, relevant where tobacco use is connected to or aggravated by service-connected conditions such as PTSD.
Arthritis Care & Research, 2019 · nexus to obesity, smoking, occupational physical load · PMID 30044543
Finding: In an 11-year longitudinal study of 3,505 adults, general obesity increased the risk of lumbar radicular pain (adjusted OR 1.44 for pain >7 days; OR 1.62 for >30 days), and smoking, strenuous physical work, and using vibrating tools each increased the risk of lumbar radicular pain.
Why it helps: Supports associations between obesity, smoking, heavy physical labor, and vibration exposure and lumbar radicular pain/sciatica, factors that map onto common military occupational exposures and secondary weight/tobacco issues.
The Spine Journal, 2018 · nexus to mental health (depression), physical/vibration exposure, smoking · PMID 29792997
Finding: This umbrella review of 15 systematic reviews (134 cohort studies) found that of 54 risk factors examined, 38 were significantly associated with increased risk of low back pain or sciatica (odds ratios 1.26 to 13.00), including poor general health (e.g., smoking), physical stress on the spine (e.g., vibration), and psychological stress (e.g., depression).
Why it helps: Supports associations between psychological stress/depression, smoking, and physical/vibration spine stress and sciatica, relevant to secondary claims tied to service-connected mental health conditions and military occupational exposures.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Sciatica
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Sciatica. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Lower Back Pain
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Radiculopathy
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Hip Pain
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Depression
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Erectile Dysfunction
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Bladder Dysfunction
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
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Related Guides
Sciatica as a Secondary Condition
Sciatica is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Sciaticaclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Sciatica should also be looking at:
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Draft your Sciatica personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Sciatica VA Claim
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Sciatica.
Sciatica Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.