Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes

No diagnostic codes are assigned directly in the verified index

This formula governs the 38 cfr §4.71a criteria published in 38 CFR §4.71a. The criteria below are quoted from the regulation and are current as of 2026-07-07.

This explains the published rating criteria. It is not a prediction about any veteran’s claim, and only VA decides a rating.

38 CFR §4.71aRegulation text current as of 2026-07-07

Published criteria

Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes

60%With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months

40%With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months

20%With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months

10%With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months

Notes printed with this ladder in the regulation

Note (1): For purposes of evaluations under diagnostic code 5243, an incapacitating episode is a period of acute signs and symptoms due to intervertebral disc syndrome that requires bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.

Note (2): If intervertebral disc syndrome is present in more than one spinal segment, provided that the effects in each spinal segment are clearly distinct, evaluate each segment on the basis of incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, whichever method results in a higher evaluation for that segment.

Related VA rating resources

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