EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) VA Disability Rating
DC 5243 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a | M21-1, Part IV.ii.2
OVERVIEW
IVDS (DC 5243) can be rated under either the General Rating Formula (ROM-based) or the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes -- whichever produces the higher rating. An incapacitating episode requires bed rest PRESCRIBED BY A PHYSICIAN.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
60% -- Incapacitating episodes 6+ weeks/year
At least 6 weeks of physician-prescribed bed rest in past 12 months.
40% -- 4-6 weeks
At least 4 weeks but less than 6.
20% -- 2-4 weeks
At least 2 but less than 4 weeks.
10% -- 1-2 weeks
At least 1 but less than 2 weeks.
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
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026