Spinal fusion DC 5241
VA rates it under diagnostic code 5241 in 38 CFR 4.71a. Body system: Back & neck.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 6 rating levels for this code: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 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.
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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