Diagnostic Code 5243: Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.71a
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 7
- Body system
- Musculoskeletal system
The VA rates Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) under diagnostic code 5243 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 5243 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; or, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months 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; incapacitating episodes totaling at least one week but less than 2 weeks in the past 12 months |
| 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; or, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months 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; incapacitating episodes totaling at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks in the past 12 months |
| 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; or, incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months What raters look forunfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; thoracolumbar forward flexion 30 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; incapacitating episodes totaling at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks in the past 12 months |
| 50% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine What raters look forunfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine |
| 60% | Incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months What raters look forincapacitating episodes totaling at least 6 weeks in the past 12 months |
| 100% | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine What raters look forunfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine |
DC 5243 rating appeals at the Board
The Board of Veterans' Appeals issued 3,354 rulings on higher ratings, reductions and severance under diagnostic code 5243 from 2021 to 2026. It granted 25.9%, denied 62.6% and sent 11.4% back for more work. One appeal can contain more than one ruling.
| What the appeal asked for | Decided rulings | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| A higher rating | 3,237 | 23.7% |
| A rating VA reduced | 117 | 87.2% |
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 | 245 | 5.7% |
| 20 percent | 459 | 25.9% |
| 40 percent | 506 | 48.8% |
Recorded exam issues in remanded DC 5243 rulings
Percentages use all 384 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 adequate75.8%
- The exam was out of date or the condition had worsened11.5%
- No exam problem recorded9.1%
- Another problem with the exam3.1%
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 5243 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 Degenerative Disc Disease. The Degenerative Disc Disease condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
Other conditions rated under this code: Cervical Spine (Neck), Back (Lumbar Spine), Herniated Disc.
What happens to Degenerative Disc Disease appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 13,454 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on Degenerative Disc Disease, 2021 to 2026. The Degenerative Disc Disease 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 Degenerative Disc Disease appeals generally rather than DC 5243 specifically. The DC 5243 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 5243?
Diagnostic code 5243 is the VA rating schedule entry for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), 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 5243?
DC 5243 provides ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 5243 require?
The 100% rating for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
How often does the Board grant a higher rating under DC 5243?
In 3,237 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals rulings on a higher rating under DC 5243 from 2021 to 2026, 23.7% were granted, 64.5% denied and 11.8% sent back for more work. These are appeal outcomes, not your personal odds.
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