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Rating guide · Spine

Back Claims: Three Ways to Be Rated

Body armor, rucks, heavy vehicles and years of lifting take a toll on soldiers’ spines. The VA can rate a back problem three different ways, and many veterans qualify under more than one.

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Motion-based ratings
Disc disease episodes
Per-leg nerve ratings
Exam strategy

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Overview

The Three Rating Routes

Range of motion, the most common route, measured in degrees during your exam.
Incapacitating episodes, for disc disease, if a doctor has prescribed bed rest.
Nerve involvement in the legs, rated separately and added on.

Routes 1 and 2 are alternatives: the VA uses whichever gives the higher rating. Route 3 stacks on top.

Route 1 · 38 CFR 4.71a

Range of Motion (Lower Back)

Normal forward bending is 90 degrees; the six movements together normally total 240. 2026 pay for a veteran with no dependents.

Thoracolumbar criteria, current as of October 2026. The neck is rated on a separate scale. Pay effective December 1, 2025.
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
100%	Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.	$3,938.58
50%	Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.	$1,132.90
40%	Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.	$795.84
20%	Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.	$356.66
10%	Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height.	$180.42

Route 2 · Disc disease

Incapacitating Episodes

An episode counts only when a physician prescribed bed rest and treated you (38 CFR 4.71a).
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
60%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.	$1,435.02
40%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.	$795.84
20%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months.	$356.66
10%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months.	$180.42

Route 3 · Nerves

Sciatica and Radiculopathy, Per Leg

Pain, numbness, tingling or weakness down a leg is rated under the sciatic nerve code, once for each leg.

From 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520. Sensory-only symptoms generally rate mild or at most moderate; the bilateral factor applies when both legs are rated.
Rating	VA criteria
80%	Complete paralysis: the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.
60%	Incomplete paralysis: severe, with marked muscular atrophy.
40%	Incomplete paralysis: moderately severe.
20%	Incomplete paralysis: moderate.
10%	Incomplete paralysis: mild.

Exam strategy

Make the Measurements Count

Stop at the point where pain starts. Describe your flare-ups: how often, how long, what they rule out. The examiner should estimate extra lost motion during them, and after repeated use. And ask that any leg symptoms be evaluated for radiculopathy.

A bad back can also lead to knee and hip problems, bladder or bowel issues, ED, and depression, all potentially ratable.

FAQ

Back Pain VA Rating: Common Questions

Can I be rated under both range of motion and disc episodes?

No, those are alternatives. The VA applies whichever gives the higher rating. Leg nerve ratings, however, are added on top.

How do I get my sciatica rated?

Make sure the examiner evaluates radiculopathy. Each affected leg receives its own rating under the sciatic nerve criteria.

What gets a 40% back rating?

Forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

Bed rest I took on my own, does it count?

Not for the disc disease formula. The bed rest has to be prescribed by a physician, with physician treatment.

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