How the VA Rates Cervical Spine

The rating levels

Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5235-5243 (General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine) for readability. Monthly amounts are the 2026 rate (effective December 1, 2025) for a veteran with no dependents if this were the only rated condition — dependents add more, and multiple conditions combine under the VA’s own math.

1. 100%

   $3,938.58/month

   Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine — both cervical and thoracolumbar in unfavorable positions.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Complete spinal fusion in unfavorable position
   • Profound disability across all functional domains
2. 50%

   $1,132.90/month

   Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. (This level of the shared spine formula applies to the thoracolumbar segment; the cervical-only maximum short of 100% is 40%.)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Entire thoracolumbar (mid and low back) spine fused in an unfavorable position
3. 40%

   $795.84/month

   Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine — fused in a position other than slight flexion.

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Neck fused in hyperextension, lateral deviation, or rotated position
   • Cannot move neck at all
   • Severe compensatory body posturing
4. 30%

   $552.47/month

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

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Severe restriction of forward flexion (chin cannot approach chest)
   • Ankylosis in slight forward flexion
   • Unable to look up or significantly rotate head
5. 20%

   $356.66/month

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

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Forward flexion 15–30 degrees
   • Cannot look down without pain
   • Muscle guarding visible on exam
   • Abnormal posture or contour
6. 10%

   $180.42/month

   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. (Radiculopathy is rated separately under the peripheral-nerve codes — Note (1).)

   Examples from this level’s criteria

   • Neck pain with rotation or flexion
   • Muscle spasm or stiffness
   • Forward flexion 30–40 degrees
   • Occasional tingling or numbness in hands

The listed symptoms are examples that appear in each level’s criteria — not a checklist that earns a percentage. Raters apply the criteria as a whole.