What rates 30% for Herniated Disc (Cervical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

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

What rates 40% for Herniated Disc (Cervical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

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

What rates 100% for Herniated Disc (Cervical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

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

What happens during a C&P exam for Herniated Disc (Cervical)?

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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Herniated Disc (Cervical)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Herniated Disc (Cervical)?

Herniated Disc (Cervical) (DC 5243) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243. Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 10% for Herniated Disc (Cervical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 10% rating for Herniated Disc (Cervical) requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 20% for Herniated Disc (Cervical) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 (DC 5243), a 20% rating for Herniated Disc (Cervical) requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

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

Key evidence for a Herniated Disc (Cervical) 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

Herniated Disc (Cervical) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5243 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5243 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.

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

Overview

Herniated or ruptured intervertebral disc in the cervical spine causing nerve root compression, radiating arm pain, and numbness

Rating Criteria

10%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

20%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

30%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees 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.

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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING