Conditions / Musculoskeletal
38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5237 · checked 2026-10-20
VA rating for Back strain (lumbosacral or cervical strain)
VA rates Back strain (lumbosacral or cervical strain) under diagnostic code 5237 (Lumbosacral or cervical strain) at 6 levels from 10% to 100%. The lowest paid level, 10%, is worth $180.42 a month and the highest, 100%, $3,938.58 to a veteran alone at the rates effective December 1, 2025. The levels come from the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- 1Diagnostic code DC 5237
- 2Highest level 100% · $3,938.58
- 3Lowest paid level 10% · $180.42
Rating criteria for DC 5237
| Rating | What the schedule requires |
|---|---|
| 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. |
| 50% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar 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. |
| 30% | Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. |
| 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 combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or 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 kyphosis. |
| 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 thoracolumbar range of motion greater than 120 but not greater than 235 degrees; or combined cervical range of motion greater than 170 but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or contour; or vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height. |
Summarized from eCFR, 38 CFR 4.71a Schedule of ratings, musculoskeletal system, diagnostic code 5237, checked 2026-10-20. The regulation's own wording governs.
Notes in the schedule
- Normal range of motion for VA purposes: thoracolumbar forward flexion 0 to 90 degrees, extension 0 to 30, lateral flexion 0 to 30 each side, rotation 0 to 30 each side (combined 240 degrees); cervical forward flexion 0 to 45, extension 0 to 45, lateral flexion 0 to 45 each side, rotation 0 to 80 each side (combined 340 degrees).
- Associated neurologic abnormalities, such as radiculopathy or bowel or bladder impairment, are rated separately under their own codes.
- Each range-of-motion measurement is rounded to the nearest five degrees.
- The thoracolumbar and cervical segments are rated separately, except when both have unfavorable ankylosis.
- The same formula covers codes 5235 to 5243, including spinal stenosis (5238), spondylolisthesis (5239), spinal fusion (5241) and degenerative arthritis of the spine (5242).
What each level pays
| Level | Alone | With spouse | With tinnitus 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | 100 → 100% |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | 55 → 60% |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | 46 → 50% |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | 37 → 40% |
| 20% | $356.66 | $356.66 | 28 → 30% |
| 10% | $180.42 | $180.42 | 19 → 20% |
4 of the 6 compensable levels are 30% or higher, where dependents raise the payment; below that the rate is flat. The spread from the lowest paid level to the highest is $3,758.16 a month. The last column shows the combined rating if this condition is joined by a 10% tinnitus rating.
How this rating fits a claim
The top level, 100%, is at or above the 60% that 38 CFR 4.16(a) sets for a single disability to qualify for consideration of a total rating based on unemployability. A rating under DC 5237 is combined with every other rating by Table I, never added; the calculator shows the result with your other ratings and dependents.
The rating is set from the evidence at the time of the decision, usually including a VA examination. If the condition has worsened since, VA accepts a claim for an increase on VA Form 21-526EZ; see how to request an increase.
Related conditions
- Degenerative arthritis (DC 5003)
- Shoulder replacement (DC 5051)
- Hip replacement (DC 5054)
- Knee replacement (DC 5055)
- Shoulder (arm) limitation of motion (DC 5201)
Pay at the top level: 100% VA pay. At the lowest paid level: 10% VA pay.
Rating Ledger is not part of VA and does not file or decide claims. Amounts are VA's published monthly rates effective December 1, 2025 for a veteran, before any deduction or special monthly compensation; ratings follow 38 CFR 4.25 and 38 CFR 4.26 and 38 CFR 4.71a, diagnostic code 5237. Last checked 2026-10-20. Only a VA rating decision sets a rating or a payment. See the methodology.