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DC 5235Musculoskeletal System38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine

Cervical Strain

VA disability rating criteria for Cervical Strain under Diagnostic Code 5235. The VA assigns ratings of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 100% based on the severity and functional impact of your condition.

Rating Criteria

0%Disability Rating

Cervical spine condition diagnosed but with forward flexion greater than 40 degrees, combined range of motion greater than 335 degrees, no muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness, and no vertebral body fracture.

Note: Rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. Cervical spine normal forward flexion is 45 degrees; combined ROM is 340 degrees. Any associated neurological abnormalities (e.g., radiculopathy) are rated separately.

10%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 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.

20%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 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.

30%Disability Rating

Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

Note: Favorable ankylosis means fixation of the cervical spine in a neutral position (0 degrees).

40%Disability Rating

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

Note: Unfavorable ankylosis is a condition in which the entire cervical spine is fixed in flexion or extension and the ankylosis results in difficulty walking, restricted opening of the mouth, or breathing limited to diaphragmatic respiration.

100%Disability Rating

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

Note: This 100% rating applies when the ENTIRE spine (cervical + thoracolumbar) is ankylosed in an unfavorable position.

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