VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
DC 5244: Traumatic Paralysis, Complete
Read VA diagnostic code 5244 for Traumatic paralysis, complete: published criteria, regulatory notes, related codes and official sources checked October 25, 2026.
Published criteria from 38 CFR 4.71a, current through 2026-10-22. Historical decisions may require a different version. This reference does not diagnose a condition or determine an evaluation.
The Musculoskeletal System · All Diagnostic Codes
DC 5244: Traumatic Paralysis, Complete
Diagnostic code 5244 addresses Traumatic paralysis, complete. Read its specific instructions together with any shared formula, notes and linked provisions. These criteria describe evaluation after the applicable entitlement requirements are met; this reference does not diagnose a condition or determine a claim.
| Rating | |
|---|---|
| 5244 Traumatic paralysis, complete: | |
| Paraplegia: Rate under diagnostic code 5110. | |
| Quadriplegia: Rate separately under diagnostic codes 5109 and 5110 and combine evaluations in accordance with § 4.25. | |
| Note: If traumatic paralysis does not cause loss of use of both hands or both feet, it is incomplete paralysis. Evaluate residuals of incomplete traumatic paralysis under the appropriate diagnostic code (e.g., § 4.124a, Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves). |
What The Criteria Measure
- Does the decision identify diagnostic code 5244, and does the medical record describe the condition named by this code?
- Have the code-specific notes and cross-references been read before comparing any listed evaluation?
No public condition DBQ is mapped to this code. Consult the official public DBQ list and examination instructions.
Regulatory Cross-References
Shared Rules And Regulatory Context
- 38 CFR 4.71a Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.40 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.41 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.42 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.43 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.44 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.45 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.46 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.57 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.58 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.59 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.61 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.62 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.63 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.64 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.66 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.67 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.68 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.69 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.70 Context And Notes
- 38 CFR 4.71 Context And Notes
Context provisions do not create an additional evaluation automatically assigned to every condition.
Related Guides
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71a
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.40
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.41
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.42
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.43
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.44
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.45
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.46
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.57
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.58
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.59
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.61
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.62
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.63
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.64
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.66
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.67
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.68
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.69
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.70
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4/section-4.71
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