Diagnostic Code 5236: Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 6
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness under diagnostic code 5236 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 5236 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 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 What raters look forthoracolumbar forward flexion greater than 60 but not greater than 85 degrees; cervical forward flexion greater than 30 but not greater than 40 degrees; muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height |
| 20% | Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the 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 such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis What raters look forthoracolumbar forward flexion greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees; cervical forward flexion greater than 15 but not greater than 30 degrees; combined thoracolumbar range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; combined cervical range of motion not greater than 170 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an 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 What raters look forcervical forward flexion 15 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine |
| 40% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine What raters look forunfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; thoracolumbar forward flexion 30 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine |
| 50% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine What raters look forunfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine |
| 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine What raters look forunfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine |
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Back (Lumbar Spine). The Back (Lumbar Spine) condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Back (Lumbar Spine) appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 77,827 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Back (Lumbar Spine), 2021 to 2026. The Back (Lumbar Spine) condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: each ruling's outcome is read from the order in the Board's published decision and rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, leaving out dismissals and withdrawals. The data codes the condition the Board ruled on, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Back (Lumbar Spine) appeals generally rather than DC 5236 specifically. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5236?
Diagnostic code 5236 is the VA rating schedule entry for Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5236?
DC 5236 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5236 require?
The 100% rating for Sacroiliac Injury and Weakness requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
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