What rates 40% for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 (DC 5235), a 40% rating for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

What rates 50% for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 (DC 5235), a 50% rating for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

What rates 100% for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 (DC 5235), a 100% rating for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

What happens during a C&P exam for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals)?

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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Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals)?

Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) (DC 5235) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235. Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 10% for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 (DC 5235), a 10% rating for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness.

Q: What rates 20% for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 (DC 5235), a 20% rating for Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) requires: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 120 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 Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) 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 523538 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Diagnostic Code

DC 5235

38 C.F.R. § 4.71a

Rating Range

10–100%

5 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Vertebral Body Fracture (Residuals) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5235 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 40% / 50% / 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

Residual pain, deformity, and limited motion from a fractured vertebral body, potentially causing nerve compression and spinal instability

Rating Criteria

10%

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

20%

Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

40%

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

50%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar 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.
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