What rates 30% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 30% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 50% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 50% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

What rates 100% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 100% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

What secondary conditions are linked to Lumbosacral Strain?

Common secondary conditions for Lumbosacral Strain include Lumbar Radiculopathy, Sciatica, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Hip Condition, Bilateral Hip Arthritis. 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 Lumbosacral Strain?

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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Lumbosacral Strain

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Lumbosacral Strain?

Lumbosacral Strain (DC 5237) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237. Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height.

Q: What rates 10% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 10% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height.

Q: What rates 20% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 20% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.

Q: What rates 40% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 40% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

Q: What rates 10% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 10% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months.

Q: What rates 20% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 20% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months.

Q: What rates 40% for Lumbosacral Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 40% rating for Lumbosacral Strain requires: Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

DC 523738 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5237

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–100%

10 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Lumbosacral Strain is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5237 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Lumbosacral strain is a soft-tissue injury of the lower back involving the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the lumbar and lumbosacral spine, producing pain, stiffness, paraspinal muscle spasm, and reduced range of motion. It is one of the most common service-connected back disabilities and frequently arises from acute overload (heavy lifting, a fall, a vehicle or parachute impact) or cumulative repetitive loading over a military career. Although the underlying strain is mechanical rather than neurologic, chronic lumbosacral strain often coexists with degenerative changes and can produce or aggravate radiculopathy that is rated separately.

Rating Criteria

10%

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height.

20%

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.

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; or, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

50%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

100%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

10%

Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months.

20%

Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months.

40%

Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

60%

Intervertebral disc syndrome rated on incapacitating episodes (whichever method yields the higher evaluation): incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

Key Evidence

—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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Secondary Conditions

Lumbar RadiculopathyMODERATE

Chronic strain causes inflammation compressing lumbar nerve roots

SciaticaMODERATE

Persistent muscle spasm and inflammation impinge sciatic nerve

Lumbar Spinal StenosisMODERATE

Chronic strain accelerates degenerative narrowing of spinal canal

Hip ConditionMODERATE

Altered gait and compensatory mechanics stress hip joints

Bilateral Hip ArthritisMODERATE

Years of abnormal gait damages both hip joints

Knee ConditionMODERATE

Compensatory movement patterns stress knee joints

Bilateral Knee ConditionMODERATE

Altered gait affects both knees

Ankle/Foot ConditionMODERATE

Gait changes stress ankle and foot joints

Sacroiliac Joint DysfunctionMODERATE

Lumbar strain transfers stress to SI joints

Thoracic Spine ConditionMODERATE

Compensatory changes in adjacent spine segments

Major Depressive DisorderMODERATE

Chronic pain frequently causes clinical depression

Anxiety DisorderMODERATE

Fear of pain, movement anxiety, and disability concerns

Sleep DisorderMODERATE

Pain interferes with sleep quality and positioning

Erectile DysfunctionMODERATE

Nerve damage and pain medications affect sexual function

Peripheral NeuropathyMODERATE

Chronic inflammation and nerve root irritation cause permanent nerve damage

ObesityMODERATE

Reduced mobility leads to weight gain, worsening back condition

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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Overview

Rating Criteria

Key Evidence

C&P Exam Tips

Secondary Conditions

Tools

Sources & Editorial

Linked to 714 Military Occupations

Overview

Rating Criteria

Key Evidence

C&P Exam Tips

Secondary Conditions

Tools

Sources & Editorial

Linked to 714 Military Occupations