Back conditions are among the most-claimed VA disabilities. Most are rated under the General Rating Formula for the Spine, usually diagnostic code 5237 (lumbosacral strain) or 5242 (degenerative arthritis). What drives the rating is how far you can bend forward and how flare-ups limit you.
How the VA rates lower back conditions
Ratings for the mid-to-lower (thoracolumbar) spine break down like this, based on forward flexion (bending forward) and other findings:
- 10%: forward flexion greater than 60 but not more than 85 degrees, or muscle spasm or guarding that doesn’t change your gait or posture.
- 20%: forward flexion greater than 30 but not more than 60 degrees, or muscle spasm or guarding bad enough to change your gait or spinal contour.
- 40%: forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis (the spine fused in a neutral position).
- 50%: unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
Two things to know. If you have intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS, DC 5243), the VA can instead rate you on incapacitating episodes (doctor-ordered bed rest) and use whichever method pays more. And nerve pain shooting down a leg (radiculopathy, or sciatica) is often rated separately under the nerve codes like DC 8520, on top of your back rating.
Getting service-connected
You generally need three things: a current diagnosis, evidence the condition started in or was caused by service (service treatment records showing a back injury or complaints help a lot), and a nexus tying the two together. If your back pain started after service but comes from a service-connected condition, you may be able to claim it as secondary.
What matters at your C&P exam
- Range of motion is measured up to where pain starts. Say exactly when it starts, and stop when it’s too much.
- If the exam day is a good day, describe your flare-ups: how far you can bend and how they limit you on bad days.
- Mention any pain, numbness, or tingling running into your legs so radiculopathy gets looked at too.
Estimate and prepare
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a separate rating for sciatica?
Often, yes. Radiculopathy (nerve pain into a leg) is usually rated separately from the back, under the nerve codes, based on how bad the nerve involvement is.
Does back pain alone get a rating?
The rating comes from how pain limits your motion and function, not pain by itself. That’s why the examiner measures your range of motion and notes where pain starts.
General educational information based on the VA’s rating schedule (38 CFR 4.71a). Not legal advice or a rating decision, and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual rating depends on your evidence and exam. For help, use a free VA-accredited representative.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Primary source: 38 CFR 4.71a (Diagnostic Code 5237), via VA.gov and the eCFR.