Intervertebral disc syndrome DC 5243
VA rates it under diagnostic code 5243 in 38 CFR 4.71a. Body system: Back & neck.
Also searched as: herniated disc, bulging disc, slipped disc, IVDS.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 7 rating levels for this code: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 100%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
Rated under the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine (§ 4.71a).
Source: 38 CFR 4.71a on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
This code is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (38 CFR 4.71a).
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 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, 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 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 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 height |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.71a, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Assign this diagnostic code only when there is disc herniation with compression and/or irritation of the adjacent nerve root; assign diagnostic code 5242 for all other disc diagnoses.
Evaluate intervertebral disc syndrome (preoperatively or postoperatively) either under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or under the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes, whichever method results in the higher evaluation when all disabilities are combined under § 4.25.
Conditions it can lead to
If this condition is service connected, these conditions are often claimed as secondary to it (38 CFR 3.310). Each one still needs its own diagnosis.
Neurogenic bladder DC 7542 Established link Rated separately
Bladder problems caused by nerve damage from your spine condition are rated separately as neurogenic bladder.
What to gather: Tell the spine examiner about any bladder leakage or retention, and get a diagnosis from a doctor or urologist.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.115b
Paralysis of the anterior crural nerve (femoral) DC 8526 Established link Rated separately
If a nerve higher in your spine is pinched, pain or numbness in the front of the thigh is rated separately under the femoral nerve code.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Paralysis of the lower radicular group DC 8512 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve in the neck at the lower (C8 and T1) nerve roots is rated separately for each arm, on top of the neck rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Paralysis of the middle radicular group DC 8511 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve in the neck at the middle (C7) nerve roots is rated separately for each arm, on top of the neck rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Radiculopathy: arm (upper radicular group) DC 8510 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve in the neck at the upper (C5 and C6) nerve roots is rated separately for each arm, on top of the neck rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Radiculopathy: leg (sciatic nerve) DC 8520 Established link Rated separately
A pinched nerve from your spine condition (sciatica or radiculopathy) gets its own rating for each leg, on top of the spine rating.
What to gather: Rated as part of your spine claim. Ask the examiner to test nerve function in your arms or legs and to name the nerve involved.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.124a (nerve and neurological ratings)
Rectum and anus, impairment of sphincter control DC 7332 Established link Rated separately
Loss of bowel control caused by nerve damage from your spine condition is rated separately.
What to gather: Tell the spine examiner about any bowel leakage, and get it documented in your medical records.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.71a, spine formula Note (1): rate nerve, bowel and bladder problems separately; 38 CFR 4.114
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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