What rates 30% for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 (DC 5243), a 30% rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15° or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 40% for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 (DC 5243), a 40% rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 100% for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 (DC 5243), a 100% rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

What secondary conditions are linked to Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine)?

Common secondary conditions for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) include Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Myelopathy, Migraines, Tension Headaches, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine)?

Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) (DC 5243) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242. Forward flexion greater than 30° but not greater than 40°; or, combined ROM greater than 170° but not greater than 335°; or, muscle spasm/guarding not causing abnormal gait or contour.

Q: What rates 10% for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 (DC 5243), a 10% rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) requires: Forward flexion greater than 30° but not greater than 40°; or, combined ROM greater than 170° but not greater than 335°; or, muscle spasm/guarding not causing abnormal gait or contour.

Q: What rates 20% for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 (DC 5243), a 20% rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) requires: Forward flexion greater than 15° but not greater than 30°; or, combined ROM not greater than 170°; or, muscle spasm/guarding causing abnormal gait or spinal contour.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 524338 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5243

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–100%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5243 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5242 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Cervical Radiculopathy or Cervical Myelopathy under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Progressive deterioration of intervertebral discs in the cervical spine causing neck pain, stiffness, and radiating symptoms

Rating Criteria

10%

Forward flexion greater than 30° but not greater than 40°; or, combined ROM greater than 170° but not greater than 335°; or, muscle spasm/guarding not causing abnormal gait or contour.

20%

Forward flexion greater than 15° but not greater than 30°; or, combined ROM not greater than 170°; or, muscle spasm/guarding causing abnormal gait or spinal contour.

30%

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

40%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

100%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

05Secondary Conditions

Cervical RadiculopathyMODERATE

Disc degeneration compresses cervical nerve roots

Cervical MyelopathyMODERATE

Spinal cord compression from severe stenosis

MigrainesMODERATE

Cervical dysfunction triggers cervicogenic headaches and migraines

Tension HeadachesMODERATE

Chronic neck muscle tension causes headaches

Thoracic Outlet SyndromeMODERATE

Postural changes and muscle tension compress neurovascular bundle

Shoulder ConditionMODERATE

Referred pain and compensatory movement affect shoulders

Bilateral Shoulder ConditionMODERATE

Cervical dysfunction affects both shoulders

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeMODERATE

Cervical radiculopathy contributes to upper extremity nerve symptoms

Cubital Tunnel SyndromeMODERATE

Compensatory arm positioning compresses ulnar nerve

Upper Extremity WeaknessMODERATE

Nerve root compression causes arm and hand weakness

Hand Numbness/ParesthesiasMODERATE

Cervical nerve root compression affects hand sensation

VertigoMODERATE

Cervical proprioceptive dysfunction causes dizziness

TMJ DisorderMODERATE

Cervical dysfunction affects jaw alignment and function

Lumbar Spine ConditionMODERATE

Compensatory changes develop in lumbar spine

DepressionMODERATE

Chronic neck pain causes depressive symptoms

Sleep ApneaMODERATE

Neck positioning issues worsen airway obstruction

Cervical RadiculopathyMODERATE

Disc degeneration compresses nerve roots

Cervical MyelopathyMODERATE

Spinal cord compression from disc narrowing

Tension HeadachesMODERATE

Neck muscle compensation causes headaches

Thoracic Spine ConditionMODERATE

Compensatory stress on adjacent spine segments

Shoulder PainMODERATE

Referred pain and compensatory posture

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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