Lumbar Spine / Lower Back (VA Rating) — DC 5237
The VA rates lower back conditions under DC 5237 and 5243 from 10% to 100% based on forward bending range of motion and incapacitating episodes.
Official source: ecfr.gov
Lower back conditions, including muscle strain, disc problems, and degenerative changes, are among the most commonly rated VA disabilities. The VA rates them mainly under Diagnostic Codes 5237 and 5243 by measuring how far you can bend forward, with ratings from 10% to 100% depending on your range of motion, pain, and how often the condition puts you completely out of commission.
Here is how bending forward translates to a rating. Normal forward bending goes to about 90 degrees. A 10% rating ($180.42 per month in 2026) applies when you can bend past 60 degrees but it causes pain. A 20% rating ($356.66) applies when you can only bend between 30 and 60 degrees. A 40% rating ($795.84) applies when you can only bend 30 degrees or less. Higher ratings apply when your spine has lost all movement (ankylosis).
The repetition rule (the DeLuca criteria) is critical. The examiner measures your bending before and after you repeat it three times. Pain, fatigue, and weakness after repetition often produce a higher rating than the first measurement alone. Make sure your examiner follows this step. Many do not. Flare-ups can also get you a higher rating: if your condition involves episodes where you are completely unable to function and your doctor has told you to rest in bed, those incapacitating episodes can be used instead of the bending test, whichever method gives you the higher rating.
Leg pain gets rated separately and adds on top of your back rating. If your back condition pinches a nerve and causes pain, weakness, or numbness shooting down your leg (radiculopathy), that is a separate VA rating you can get in addition to the back rating. File both at the same time. Back claims are among the most disputed. Bring a pain diary, lay statements from people who see your limitations daily, and documentation of every flare-up to your C&P exam.
In real life
- A veteran who can bend only 25 degrees with radiating pain into the right leg receives a 40% lumbar rating plus a separate radiculopathy rating.
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Frequently asked questions about Lumbar Spine / Lower Back (VA Rating)
How does the VA rate lower back pain?+
Mainly under Diagnostic Codes 5237 and 5243, based on how far you can bend forward and how often incapacitating episodes occur. Ratings run from 10% (bending past 60 degrees with pain) to 100% (complete spinal immobility).
What are DeLuca criteria for VA back exams?+
DeLuca requires the examiner to measure your range of motion before and after three repetitions. Pain, fatigue, and weakness after repetition can support a higher rating than the initial measurement.
Can I get a separate rating for back pain that radiates into my leg?+
Yes. Radiculopathy (sciatic or femoral nerve pain) is rated separately from the back condition and combines with it. File both claims at the same time so the C&P exam covers both.
What evidence wins a VA lower back claim?+
Imaging (MRI or X-ray), a current orthopedic exam with range-of-motion measurements, a pain diary, lay statements describing daily limits, and documentation of every flare-up or doctor-ordered bed rest.
What is the highest VA rating for the lumbar spine?+
100% for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, which means the back is locked in a fixed position. Most paid back ratings fall between 10% and 40%.
Source: ecfr.gov