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Herniated Disc (Cervical) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5243 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 across 10 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.
A cervical herniated disc occurs when the gel-like nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc in the neck (most often at the C5-C6 or C6-C7 level) protrudes through a tear in the surrounding annulus fibrosus, often compressing an exiting nerve root or, less commonly, the spinal cord itself. Clinically it produces axial neck pain with reduced and painful cervical motion, and frequently a radiculopathy with radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness into the shoulder, arm, or hand following the affected dermatome. For VA purposes it is a disc-syndrome condition (Intervertebral Disc Syndrome) rated on cervical spine motion and ankylosis under the General Rating Formula, or on physician-documented incapacitating episodes, with any resulting nerve impairment rated separately.
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.