100%
Official criteria
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spinePlain-language summary
The entire cervical and thoracolumbar spine is fixed in an unfavorable position.
Lumbosacral or cervical strain
VA evaluates this diagnosis under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with or without pain, stiffness, or aching.
Musculoskeletalback strainneck strainlumbar strain
Official schedule
Percentage levels and criteria
Plain-language summaries explain the text; they do not decide whether any level applies.
50%
Official criteria
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spinePlain-language summary
The entire thoracolumbar spine is fixed in an unfavorable position.
40%
Official criteria
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 spinePlain-language summary
This level can be reached through the listed cervical ankylosis, thoracolumbar flexion, or thoracolumbar ankylosis findings.
30%
Official criteria
Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spinePlain-language summary
This level addresses the listed severe cervical flexion limit or favorable cervical ankylosis.
20%
Official criteria
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 an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosisPlain-language summary
Any one of the listed range-of-motion or spasm/guarding paths can satisfy this level.
10%
Official criteria
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 heightPlain-language summary
Any one of the listed motion, tenderness, spasm/guarding, or vertebral-height paths can satisfy this level.
Source record
Open official eCFR source38 CFR § 4.71a—Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system
38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 · Effective Sep 26, 2003 · Reviewed Jul 24, 2026