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Rating guide · Spine

Back Pain Claims: Don’t Leave the Legs Out

A back rating is built from how far your spine moves. But if pain, numbness or weakness runs down your legs, each leg can carry its own rating, and that’s the part veterans most often miss.

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Range-of-motion basics
Flare-ups & repetition
Disc disease option
Per-leg nerve ratings

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The basics

What the Examiner Measures

For most spine conditions, the examiner uses a goniometer to measure six movements of the lower back. Normal forward bending is 90 degrees, and all six movements together add up to 240 degrees. Your rating depends on how far below those numbers you are, or on muscle spasm, guarding or deformity. The neck is rated on its own scale.

38 CFR 4.71a

Lower Back Rating Levels

2026 pay for a veteran with no dependents.

Thoracolumbar criteria, current as of October 2026. Pay effective December 1, 2025.
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
100%	Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.	$3,938.58
50%	Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.	$1,132.90
40%	Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.	$795.84
20%	Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 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.	$356.66
10%	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; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height.	$180.42

Sciatica & radiculopathy

Leg Nerve Ratings, Each Leg Separately

Nerve symptoms from the spine are rated under the sciatic nerve code, one rating for each leg affected, then combined with your back rating.

From 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8520. Purely sensory symptoms (numbness, tingling, pain without weakness) generally rate mild or at most moderate. A bilateral factor applies when both legs are rated.
Rating	VA criteria
80%	Complete paralysis: the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost.
60%	Incomplete paralysis: severe, with marked muscular atrophy.
40%	Incomplete paralysis: moderately severe.
20%	Incomplete paralysis: moderate.
10%	Incomplete paralysis: mild.

Exam tips

Help the Exam Capture Your Real Limits

Stop moving at the point pain begins, and say so out loud.
Explain flare-ups: how often, how long, and what they stop you from doing. The examiner should estimate the extra motion lost during them.
Describe what repetition does: shoveling, lifting feed sacks, long drives, a full shift on your feet.

Disc disease

The Incapacitating Episode Option

Disc disease can be rated under this formula instead of range of motion, whichever produces the higher rating.

An incapacitating episode means a physician prescribed bed rest and treated you (38 CFR 4.71a).
Rating	VA criteria	2026 pay (alone)
60%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.	$1,435.02
40%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.	$795.84
20%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months.	$356.66
10%	With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months.	$180.42

FAQ

Back Pain VA Rating: Common Questions

How do I get sciatica rated?

If the nerve symptoms come from your service-connected back, ask that radiculopathy be evaluated. Each affected leg receives its own rating under the sciatic nerve criteria.

What qualifies for a 20% back rating?

Forward flexion between 31 and 60 degrees, combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, or spasm or guarding severe enough to cause an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

Can a back injury cause other ratable problems?

Yes. Hip and knee issues from altered gait, bladder or bowel problems, erectile dysfunction from nerve involvement, and depression from chronic pain can all be claimed.

My exam happened on a good day. What now?

The examiner should consider flare-ups and repetitive use. If the report doesn’t reflect your limitations, that can be a basis for a review or new evidence.

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