LOADING
Degenerative Joint Disease (Spine) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5242 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 across 6 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 50%…). 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.
Degenerative joint disease of the spine, also called spinal osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis of the spine, is the progressive wear-and-tear breakdown of the facet joints, vertebral bodies, and intervertebral discs of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Cartilage thinning, osteophyte (bone spur) formation, disc-space narrowing, and joint-space loss produce chronic pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and at times nerve-root compression with radiating symptoms. It is one of the most common service-connected spine disabilities and frequently develops or worsens after years of load-bearing duty, repetitive bending and lifting, or an earlier acute back or neck injury.
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.