LOADING
Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5235 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 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.
Vertebral fracture (DC 5235) is a break or dislocation of one or more vertebral bodies, pedicles, lamina, or transverse/spinous processes, ranging from a stable compression or transverse-process fracture to an unstable burst or fracture-dislocation that can compromise the spinal canal. In service it most often results from axial-load or high-energy trauma - falls, parachute or hard-landing impacts, vehicle and blast events, or heavy lifting - and may be managed conservatively, by bracing, or by surgical fusion. The VA does not rate the fracture itself by the radiographic injury; it rates the chronic residual disability - lost range of motion, ankylosis, painful motion, muscle guarding, altered spinal contour or gait, and any separately ratable neurologic or surgical-fusion residuals.
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.