Trigeminal Neuralgia — 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 Trigeminal Neuralgia
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960C-3 (Cranial Nerve Conditions) — 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 Trigeminal Neuralgia — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Trigeminal Neuralgia, 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 Trigeminal Neuralgia
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8405 (Neuralgia of fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve). The eCFR provides no standalone percentage table for 8405; the note states tic douloureux may be rated by severity up to complete paralysis. Operative percentages are drawn from the fifth-nerve paralysis code DC 8205 (moderate incomplete 10%, severe incomplete 30%, complete 50%).. Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Complete paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve. Under DC 8405, trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux) is rated in accordance with severity up to complete paralysis, using the fifth-nerve paralysis scale (DC 8205), dependent upon the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss.
Severe incomplete paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve, dependent upon the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss (DC 8205 scale, applied to neuralgia under DC 8405).
Moderate incomplete paralysis of the fifth (trigeminal) cranial nerve, dependent upon the relative degree of sensory manifestation or motor loss (DC 8205 scale, applied to neuralgia under DC 8405).
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Trigeminal Neuralgia 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 →
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 Trigeminal Neuralgia
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Trigeminal Neuralgia. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia as a Secondary Condition
Trigeminal Neuralgia is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Trigeminal Neuralgiaclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Trigeminal Neuralgia should also be looking at:
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Health care
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Other ways to work on your claim
›More Trigeminal Neuralgia resources
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Trigeminal Neuralgia 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 an independent planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.