VA Disability Rating for Back Pain (2024)

The examiner explains that they assess two primary areas:

• the thoracolumbar spine (the larger part of your back)
• the cervical spine (your neck)

VA Ratings for Thoracolumbar Spine Injuries

• 50% Rating: Envision your back being immobilized in an uncomfortable position, significantly restricting your ability to move freely.
• 40% Rating: Your back may be fixed, but in a slightly more tolerable position. You might also have minimal forward bending capability, no more than the length of a standard ruler.
• 20% Rating: You’re able to bend forward a bit more, between the length of a ruler and roughly the span of two hands. This rating applies if your back’s overall mobility is notably limited.
• 10% Rating: There’s a degree of flexibility in your back, allowing for forward movement up to about three hand lengths. This is the rating for moderate range of motion limitations.

VA Ratings for Cervical Spine Injuries

• 40% Rating: Your neck is stuck in an uncomfortable, fixed position. Combined with a similar condition in your back, this could justify a full 100% disability rating.
• 30% Rating: While your neck might be fixed, it’s in a less restrictive position, or you might manage a slight forward tilt.
• 20% Rating: You can tilt your head forward a little, up to about the width of your hand. This rating reflects significant restrictions in neck mobility.
• 10% Rating: Your neck allows for more movement, enough to tilt your head forward the width of a hand to a hand and a half. This rating is assigned for moderate movement limitations.

VA Ratings for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS)

Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) involves the degeneration or damage of spinal cushioning discs, potentially leading to herniation, sciatica, and chronic pain, often worsened by sitting, bending, or lifting. The VA evaluates IVDS severity through disability ratings, which hinge on the frequency and severity of incapacitating episodes requiring medical intervention.

• 60% Rating: Assigned when you’ve encountered incapacitating episodes totaling six weeks or more within the last year. Picture being sidelined, unable to engage in your regular daily activities for at least a month and a half over the past year due to severe back issues.
• 40% Rating: This rating is for those experiencing episodes that last at least four weeks but don’t surpass six weeks throughout the last 12 months. It reflects significant but slightly less frequent disruptions to your life due to IVDS.
• 20% Rating: Given for episodes lasting two to four weeks over the past year, indicating a moderate impact of IVDS on your daily functionality and well-being.
• 10% Rating: The initial rating for episodes that have lasted at least a week but less than two weeks within the last year, pointing to occasional but notable interruptions caused by IVDS flare-ups.

Remember, measuring ROM is crucial for two main areas (as mentioned above):

• Cervical Spine (Neck)
• Thoracolumbar Spine (Lower Back)

Here’s a list of secondary conditions commonly linked to back pain for you to consider:

• Radiculopathy: Characterized by nerve pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the spine to the extremities. Depending on the affected area, it can manifest as sciatic nerve pain in the legs (from lower back issues) or arm pain (from neck issues).
• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): A condition where spinal discs wear down, leading to pain, instability, and reduced mobility. DDD can exacerbate or be exacerbated by spinal injuries.
• Osteoarthritis: Joint pain and stiffness resulting from the degeneration of cartilage, which can be secondary to changes in posture and walking due to spinal injuries.
• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, often leading to nerve pain and mobility issues. This can be a direct consequence of spinal injuries or degenerative changes over time.
• Spondylolisthesis: A condition where one vertebra slips forward over another, often resulting from injury or degeneration, leading to back pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis: A form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, leading to severe inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Over time, it can cause the vertebrae to fuse together, significantly limiting motion.
• Traumatic Paralysis: Paralysis resulting from a traumatic injury to the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete loss of muscle function and sensation below the level of injury. This condition significantly impacts daily living and may require comprehensive medical and support services.
• Chronic Pain Syndrome: Persistent pain that can develop following spinal injuries, affecting physical and mental health.
• Depression and Anxiety: Mental health conditions that can arise due to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and the lifestyle changes that spinal injuries often necessitate.
• Impaired Mobility: Limitations in movement and activities of daily living due to pain, stiffness, or loss of function in the spine.
• Orthopedic Problems in Knees and Hips: Issues arising from altered walking patterns due to spinal injuries or conditions, which can lead to additional strain and injuries in the knees and hips.
• Fractures or Dislocations in the Spine: These injuries can cause immediate and chronic pain and mobility issues, complicating the spinal condition and potentially leading to further spinal instability or nerve damage.
• Urinary or Bowel Incontinence: Nerve damage from spinal injuries can lead to issues with bladder or bowel control.
• Sexual Dysfunction: Spinal injuries can affect sexual health and function due to nerve damage or psychological stress related to the injury and its implications.

With just a few clicks, you can gain insights into:

• Your Expected Disability Rating: No more guessing or trying to interpret complicated tables. Our calculator provides a clear estimation of the rating percentage for your specific condition or combined conditions.
• Your Potential Compensation: Understand the financial support you might be eligible for. Our calculator breaks down the compensation tied to various disability ratings, giving you a clear picture of your potential benefits.

Considerations for TDIU

• Eligibility Criteria: You must have at least one service-connected disability rated 60% or more, or multiple disabilities with a combined rating of 70%, one of which is 40% or higher, and be unable to maintain steady, gainful employment due to your disability.
• Required Evidence: Comprehensive documentation, including medical reports and test results, is necessary to demonstrate the impact of back pain on your employment capabilities.