Diagnostic Code 5237: Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a. General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 6
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain under diagnostic code 5237 in 38 CFR § 4.71a. General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine. 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 5237 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 |
DC 5237 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 5,979 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5237 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 26.5%, denied 63.8% and sent 9.6% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
| What the appeal asked for | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| A higher rating | 5,801 | 24.9% |
| A rating VA reduced | 177 | 80.8% |
By the rating the Board's order named
Only orders that state a rating percentage with a date are counted. An order denying a rating "in excess of 50 percent" names the existing rating; a grant may name the rating awarded. These are not all ratings veterans requested.
| Rating the order named | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | 563 | 8.9% |
| 20 percent | 736 | 38.3% |
| 30 percent | 106 | 58.5% |
| 40 percent | 566 | 59.9% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 5237 rulings
Percentages use all 576 rating rulings under this code the Board remanded, 2021 to 2026. Some rulings have no recorded exam classification, and small categories are not shown, so these rows need not total 100 percent.
- The VA exam or opinion was not adequate80.9%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened12.2%
- No exam problem recorded4.2%
- Another problem with the exam1.9%
Method: Claim Raven read each ruling in every Board decision stored for 2021 to 2026 and counted it under this code when the decision named DC 5237 for a rating question. These results cover only rulings with an identified diagnostic code and may not represent rulings where no code was stated. Granted includes partial grants; dismissed and withdrawn rulings are left out. These are outcomes within appeals, not first decisions, and not your personal odds.
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Cervical Spine (Neck). The Cervical Spine (Neck) condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
Other conditions rated under this code: Back (Lumbar Spine), Thoracic Spine, Scoliosis.
What happens to Cervical Spine (Neck) appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 24,251 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Cervical Spine (Neck), 2021 to 2026. The Cervical Spine (Neck) 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 Cervical Spine (Neck) appeals generally rather than DC 5237 specifically. The DC 5237 section above counts this code's own rating appeals. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 5237?
Diagnostic code 5237 is the VA rating schedule entry for Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain, found in 38 CFR § 4.71a. General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 5237?
DC 5237 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 5237 require?
The 100% rating for Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5237?
In 5,801 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5237 from 2021 to 2026, 24.9% were granted, 65.2% denied and 9.9% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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