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DC 5237Musculoskeletal System38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237

Lumbosacral Strain

VA disability rating criteria for Lumbosacral Strain under Diagnostic Code 5237. The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 50% based on the severity and functional impact of your condition.

Rating Criteria

0%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees; and no ankylosis, no muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, and no localized tenderness of the muscles or vertebral spinous processes.

Note: Rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. All spinal conditions DC 5235–5243 use the same rating formula. The 0% rating requires a diagnosis but no functional impairment meeting higher criteria.

10%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or; combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or; muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

20%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 to 60 degrees; or; the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 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.

40%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

Note: Forward flexion of 30 degrees or less is significant functional impairment. Ankylosis at this stage requires the spine to be in a favorable (near normal) position.

50%Disability Rating

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

Note: Unfavorable ankylosis means the spine is fused in a position that is not functionally useful (e.g., flexed, laterally deviated, or rotated). This is the maximum rating for lumbosacral strain under the general formula.

Secondary Conditions

6 known secondary conditions linked to Lumbosacral Strain

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