Intervertebral Disc Syndrome VA Rating

Living with back pain can make even simple daily activities difficult. Veterans with a service-connected spinal disc condition, such as bulging or herniated discs, may qualify for an IVDS VA rating. This article explains intervertebral disc syndrome VA ratings, how to establish a service connection, and how your symptoms affect your disability rating.

What is IVDS?

Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) affects the discs between the bones of your spine. These discs are supposed to act like cushions, absorbing shock and helping your spine move comfortably. Over time, or after an injury, a disc can wear down, bulge, or herniate. When that happens, it can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling.

IVDS most often affects the lower back, but it can develop anywhere along the spine. Many veterans with IVDS experience back pain that worsens when sitting, bending, twisting, or lifting. If a damaged disc presses on the sciatic nerve, it can cause sciatica, a type of nerve pain that travels from the lower back down one or both legs.

You may hear IVDS called by other names, like a slipped disc, herniated disc, ruptured disc, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease (DDD), discogenic pain syndrome, or even a pinched nerve. While these terms don’t always mean exactly the same thing, the VA generally considers them variations of intervertebral disc syndrome when evaluating disability claims.

Service connecting IVDS

Veterans can receive VA disability benefits for IVDS if the condition is connected to their military service. A herniated or bulging disc may have been diagnosed while you were on active duty, or, a back condition you had before service may have gotten worse due to the physical demands of military service. Symptoms also may not appear until years after the original injury occurred.

Even if your injury was never documented during service, you may still have a valid claim. Medical records, lay statements from people who witnessed the injury or noticed your symptoms, and other evidence can help show when the injury happened and how it is connected to your military service. 

IVDS VA rating

The VA rates IVDS under diagnostic code 5243 in the Schedule of Ratings. Depending on your symptoms, the VA uses one of two methods to determine your disability rating and assigns whichever results in the higher evaluation.

The first method is the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. This rating is based on how much movement you have in your neck or back. 

Description	VA Rating	Monthly payment (vet only)
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine	100%	$3,938.58
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine	50%	$1,132.90
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	40%	$795.84
Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine	30%	$552.47
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	20%	$356.66
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	10%	$180.42

The second method is the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes:

Description	VA Rating	Monthly payment (vet only)
With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months	60%	$1,434.02
With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months	40%	$795.84
With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months	20%	$356.66
With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months	10%	$180.42

The VA defines an incapacitating episode as a period of time in which a person experiences intense, immobilizing pain or helplessness due to a disorder.

The VA compares the rating from this formula to the rating under the General Rating Formula and uses the evaluation that results in a higher rating.

IVDS vs. DDD VA ratings

IVDS and degenerative disc disease are closely related and are frequently diagnosed together, but they are not the same thing.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) describes the wearing down of spinal discs that cushion the vertebrae. When discs are worn, the vertebrae start to rub together, making twisting, bending, and moving painful. As we get older or put added stress on our spine, the soft center of spinal discs, which are made mostly of water, can start to dry out. When discs dry out, they get thinner, and their ability to absorb shock and impact lessens.

Intervertebral disc syndrome describes what happens when a damaged disc begins causing symptoms, especially if it bulges or herniates and presses on nearby nerves.

TDIU for IVDS

In some cases, a veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for a disc-related condition like IVDS. This occurs when a veteran can’t obtain or keep substantially gainful employment due to their condition. 

IVDS can leave a veteran in almost constant pain. It can keep them from performing work-related tasks like lifting, standing or sitting for long periods, or doing much walking at all.

Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.

Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:

• At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
• Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more

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