What rates 30% for Cervical Spinal Stenosis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 (DC 5238), a 30% rating for Cervical Spinal Stenosis requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 40% for Cervical Spinal Stenosis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 (DC 5238), a 40% rating for Cervical Spinal Stenosis requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 100% for Cervical Spinal Stenosis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 (DC 5238), a 100% rating for Cervical Spinal Stenosis requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

What secondary conditions are linked to Cervical Spinal Stenosis?

Common secondary conditions for Cervical Spinal Stenosis include Hand Weakness, Balance Problems, Bladder Dysfunction. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Cervical Spinal Stenosis?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Cervical Spinal Stenosis?

Cervical Spinal Stenosis (DC 5238) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238. Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 10% for Cervical Spinal Stenosis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 (DC 5238), a 10% rating for Cervical Spinal Stenosis requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 20% for Cervical Spinal Stenosis under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 (DC 5238), a 20% rating for Cervical Spinal Stenosis requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Cervical Spinal Stenosis VA claim?

Key evidence for a Cervical Spinal Stenosis claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 5238 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 | 

Cervical Spinal Stenosis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5238 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5238 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Hand Weakness or Balance Problems under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

OVERVIEW

Narrowing of the cervical spinal canal compressing the spinal cord, causing myelopathy, arm weakness, and balance problems

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

10%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

20%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

30%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

40%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

100%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)

Hand WeaknessMODERATE

DC

Spinal cord compression affects motor control

Balance ProblemsMODERATE

DC

Myelopathy affects coordination

Bladder DysfunctionMODERATE

DC

Severe myelopathy affects autonomic function

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SECONDARY CONDITIONS

Hand Weakness Balance Problems Bladder Dysfunction

RELATED TOOLS

Rating Calculator Secondaries Map C&P Exam Prep PACT Act Scanner 2026 Rates

SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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