LOADING
Degenerative Disc Disease (Lumbar Spine) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5243 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 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. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Lumbar Radiculopathy or Sciatica under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is age-, wear-, and injury-related deterioration of the intervertebral discs of the lower (lumbar) spine, in which disc desiccation, height loss, annular tearing, and disc bulging/herniation reduce cushioning between the vertebrae. Clinically it produces chronic low-back pain, stiffness, and reduced motion, and when a degenerated or herniated disc compresses an adjacent nerve root it causes radiculopathy (radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in a dermatomal pattern). Because the disc component meets the definition of intervertebral disc syndrome, VA rates it under Diagnostic Code 5243, evaluating either the orthopedic loss of spine motion/ankylosis or the frequency of incapacitating episodes, whichever produces the higher rating.
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.