Lumbar or Cervical Strain vs Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine: VA Rating Comparison
Educational reference, not legal advice or claims assistance. This page compares how the VA rates two conditions. It does not tell you which to claim; that depends on your diagnosis and evidence. For help with a specific claim, work with a free VA-accredited representative.
How the VA rates Lumbar or Cervical Strain (diagnostic code 5237) compared with Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine (diagnostic code 5242), under 38 CFR Part 4. This is a factual side-by-side of the rating criteria, the kind veterans look up when two conditions sound similar.
Same rating ladder
Lumbar or Cervical Strain and Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine are rated on the same set of percentage levels (often the same rating formula). The percentages and criteria match; what differs is the diagnosis and the medical evidence each requires. A higher rating is not won by picking one label over the other.Rating criteria side by side
DC 5237 · Musculoskeletal System
Lumbar or Cervical Strain
Maximum schedular rating: 100%
| 100% | Your entire spine has fused together in a bad position that severely limits your ability to move your back and neck (unfavorable ankylosis means the bones have grown together abnormally). This complete fusion makes it extremely difficult or impossible to bend, twist, or turn your spine in any direction, significantly impacting your daily activities and quality of life. |
|---|---|
| 50% | Your entire middle and lower back spine has fused together in a way that severely limits your movement and function. Unfavorable ankylosis means the vertebrae (spine bones) have grown together abnormally, creating a rigid, inflexible spine that significantly restricts your ability to bend, twist, or move your back normally. |
| 40% | You qualify for this rating if your entire neck is fused or locked in place in a bad position (unfavorable ankylosis), or if you can only bend forward 30 degrees or less in your mid to lower back, or if your entire mid to lower back is fused in a good functional position (favorable ankylosis). Ankylosis means your spine joints have become stiff and immobile, either naturally from your condition or surgically fused together. |
| 30% | You qualify for this rating if your neck can only bend forward 15 degrees or less (normal is about 50 degrees), or if your entire neck spine has fused together in a good position (favorable ankylosis means the bones have grown together but in a way that doesn't cause major problems). This represents severe limitation in neck movement that significantly restricts your ability to look down or bend your head forward. |
| 20% | You qualify for this rating if your back or neck injury limits how far you can bend forward - either bending your back forward between 30-60 degrees or bending your neck forward between 15-30 degrees. You also qualify if your overall spine movement is significantly restricted (back movements totaling 120 degrees or less, neck movements totaling 170 degrees or less), or if you have severe muscle spasms that cause you to walk abnormally or develop visible spine curvature like a hunched back, loss of natural back curve, or sideways spine curvature. |
| 10% | You qualify for this rating if your spine injury limits how far you can bend forward - either to about shoulder height for your lower back or chin-to-chest level for your neck. You also qualify if you have muscle spasms, stiffness when moving (guarding), or tender spots along your spine that don't cause you to walk differently or change your spine's normal curves. Additionally, you qualify if X-rays show a vertebral fracture where the bone has collapsed by half or more of its original height. |
DC 5242 · Musculoskeletal System
Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine
Maximum schedular rating: 100%
| 100% | Your entire spine has fused together in a bad position that severely limits your ability to move your back and neck (unfavorable ankylosis means the bones have grown together abnormally). This complete fusion makes it extremely difficult or impossible to bend, twist, or turn your spine in any direction, significantly impacting your daily activities and quality of life. |
|---|---|
| 50% | Your entire middle and lower back spine has fused together in a way that severely limits your movement and function. Unfavorable ankylosis means the vertebrae (spine bones) have grown together abnormally, creating a rigid, inflexible spine that significantly restricts your ability to bend, twist, or move your back normally. |
| 40% | You qualify for this rating if your entire neck is fused or locked in place in a bad position (unfavorable ankylosis), or if you can only bend forward 30 degrees or less in your mid to lower back, or if your entire mid to lower back is fused in a good functional position (favorable ankylosis). Ankylosis means your spine joints have become stiff and immobile, either naturally from your condition or surgically fused together. |
| 30% | You qualify for this rating if your neck can only bend forward 15 degrees or less (normal is about 50 degrees), or if your entire neck spine has fused together in a good position (favorable ankylosis means the bones have grown together but in a way that doesn't cause major problems). This represents severe limitation in neck movement that significantly restricts your ability to look down or bend your head forward. |
| 20% | You qualify for this rating if your back or neck injury limits how far you can bend forward - either bending your back forward between 30-60 degrees or bending your neck forward between 15-30 degrees. You also qualify if your overall spine movement is significantly restricted (back movements totaling 120 degrees or less, neck movements totaling 170 degrees or less), or if you have severe muscle spasms that cause you to walk abnormally or develop visible spine curvature like a hunched back, loss of natural back curve, or sideways spine curvature. |
| 10% | You qualify for this rating if your spine injury limits how far you can bend forward - either to about shoulder height for your lower back or chin-to-chest level for your neck. You also qualify if you have muscle spasms, stiffness when moving (guarding), or tender spots along your spine that don't cause you to walk differently or change your spine's normal curves. Additionally, you qualify if X-rays show a vertebral fracture where the bone has collapsed by half or more of its original height. |
Criteria are summarized in plain language. The controlling text is the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, 38 CFR Part 4. Full criteria for each are on the Lumbar or Cervical Strain and Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine code pages.
Can both be rated at the same time?
The VA generally does not rate the same disability twice. Under the anti-pyramiding rule (38 CFR 4.14), two conditions are rated separately only when they cause distinct, non-overlapping symptoms. When the symptoms overlap, the VA assigns a single rating under whichever code best fits. Whether Lumbar or Cervical Strain and Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine can be rated separately depends on the symptoms documented in the evidence. See the pyramiding guide.
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