Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
Wear-and-tear breakdown of the spinal discs and joints, in the low back or neck. VA rates it on measured spinal motion under the same formula used for back and neck strain.
How the VA rates it
Rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine based on range of motion, muscle spasm/guarding, and ankylosis, with or without pain. DC 5242 covers degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the spine; if imaging shows a disc herniation compressing or irritating a nerve root, VA is supposed to use DC 5243 (intervertebral disc syndrome) instead. Painful motion generally earns at least 10 percent under 38 CFR 4.59, and radiculopathy in the arms or legs is rated separately.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 100%Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
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.
Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine (cervical involvement only).
Thoracolumbar flexion greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees; or cervical flexion greater than 15 but not greater than 30 degrees; or combined thoracolumbar motion 120 degrees or less; or combined cervical motion 170 degrees or less; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to cause abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.
Thoracolumbar flexion greater than 60 but not greater than 85 degrees; or cervical flexion greater than 30 but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined motion above the 20 percent thresholds but below normal; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness without abnormal gait or contour; or vertebral fracture with 50 percent or more height loss.
What those terms mean
- ankylosis
- — The joint or spine is frozen stiff and cannot move. 'Favorable' means stuck in a usable position; 'unfavorable' means stuck in a position that makes daily life harder.
- radiculopathy
- — Nerve pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates from the spine into an arm or leg (sciatica is the most common example).
- range of motion
- — How far you can move the joint, measured in degrees with a goniometer at your C&P exam. Painful motion counts against the range.
- flexion
- — Bending the joint (e.g., bending your knee or leaning forward).
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Sciatic Radiculopathy — Lumbar DDD frequently narrows the space around nerve roots, causing radiating leg symptoms rated separately from the spine.
- Upper Extremity Radiculopathy — Cervical DDD can pinch nerve roots serving the shoulders, arms, and hands; rated separately per arm.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Chronic spine pain and loss of function commonly lead to depression claimed as a secondary condition.
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Flat Feet (Pes Planus) — Years of altered gait and poor shock absorption can contribute to accelerated disc and joint degeneration.
- Knee Instability — A compensating gait from chronic knee problems can aggravate spinal degeneration.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- Get the imaging (X-ray or MRI) into your claims file; DDD is a diagnosis VA expects to see confirmed radiographically.
- If the MRI shows a herniated disc touching or compressing a nerve root, ask whether DC 5243 and its incapacitating-episodes formula would rate higher for you.
- Report flare-ups and additional motion loss after repeated bending at the C&P exam; examiners must estimate flare-up loss in degrees where feasible.
- Claim radiculopathy for each affected limb; those separate nerve ratings often add more to your combined rating than the back rating itself.
Rating rules to know
One spine rating per segment; 5242 cannot be combined with 5237 or 5243 for the same segment. Cervical and thoracolumbar segments are rated separately if both are service-connected. Radiculopathy and other objective neurologic findings are rated separately in addition to the spine rating.
Related diagnostic codes
More musculoskeletal conditions
Lumbosacral Strain (Low Back Strain)
Chronic strain of the low back muscles and ligaments, one of the most commonly claimed VA disabilities. VA rates it on how far you can bend and move your low back, not on how much it hurts.
Rated up to 100%
Limitation of Knee Flexion
The most commonly rated knee disability: how far you can bend the knee. Ratings run 0 to 30 percent based on measured flexion, with a 10 percent floor for a painful knee under the painful-motion rule.
Rated up to 30%
Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
Wear-and-tear arthritis confirmed by X-ray. VA rates it through the motion limits of each affected joint, with a 10 percent floor for a painful arthritic joint even when motion is nearly normal.
Rated up to 20%
Cervical Strain (Neck Strain)
Chronic strain of the neck muscles and ligaments. VA rates it on how far you can move your neck under the same spine formula used for the low back, with neck-specific degree thresholds.
Rated up to 100%
Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the tissue band supporting the arch, causing heel and arch pain. VA gave it its own diagnostic code in 2021, rated 10 to 30 percent based mainly on whether treatment provides relief.
Rated up to 40%
Limited Motion of the Ankle
Chronic ankle conditions (often old sprains or arthritis) are rated 10 or 20 percent based on measured loss of up-and-down motion, using specific degree cutoffs added to the rule in 2021.
Rated up to 20%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.