★ Rating percentages & 2026 pay
VA Rating for Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine
38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5242
Every percentage, and what it pays in 2026
| Rating | 2026 monthly | What that level generally requires |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180/mo | Forward flexion 60–85° (thoracolumbar) / 30–40° (cervical), OR DC 5003 minimum for X-ray confirmed arthritis with painful motion. |
| 20% | $357/mo | Forward flexion 30–60° / 15–30°, or muscle spasm causing abnormal gait/spinal contour. |
| 40% | $796/mo | Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine ≤30°, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. (30% for the cervical spine at this tier.) |
| 50% | $1,133/mo | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. |
| 100% | $3,939/mo | Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. |
Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5242. Rates are the published 2026 schedule (effective December 1, 2025, 2.8% COLA) and are shown for reference only — they are not an estimate of what any individual claim will pay. 10% and 20% pay a flat amount with no dependent increase.
What it adds to your existing rating
Combine it with your current rating
VA does not add ratings together — it combines them on a "whole person" basis under 38 CFR § 4.25, then rounds to the nearest 10.
Illustrative math on the published 2026 rate schedule for a veteran with no dependents. It is not a prediction, an estimate of your claim, or a statement that any rating is achievable.
Why a rating lands lower than the records suggest
- The exam captured a good day. Ratings are built from what the C&P examiner recorded. If flare-ups, fatigue, or repeated-use loss were not documented, they were not rated — 38 CFR § 4.40 and § 4.45 require them to be considered when they are in the record.
- The criteria were read as a checklist. Under 38 CFR § 4.7, when the disability picture more nearly approximates the higher level, the higher level applies. A partially-met tier is not automatically the lower tier.
- Secondary conditions were never claimed. A separately ratable secondary condition adds to the combined rating; it does not raise this diagnostic code's percentage.
- Pyramiding was applied too broadly. 38 CFR § 4.14 bars rating the same symptom twice — it does not bar rating distinct manifestations under different codes.
For the full evidence checklist, C&P exam detail, and secondary pathways, read the complete Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine claim guide.
Common questions
What is the highest VA rating for Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine?
The schedular maximum under 38 CFR § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5242 is 100%. A higher combined rating is possible when other service-connected conditions, secondary conditions, or an extraschedular or TDIU pathway apply, but those are separate determinations.
How much does a 100% rating pay in 2026?
$3,939 per month for a veteran with no dependents, under the rate schedule effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA). Ratings of 30% and above increase with dependents.
Can Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine be rated at 0%?
Yes. VA can grant service connection and assign a noncompensable (0%) rating when the condition is established but the findings do not meet the criteria for a compensable level. A 0% rating still preserves the effective date and can be increased later if the condition worsens.
What's the difference between DC 5242 and DC 5003?
DC 5242 is the spine-specific code under the General Spine Formula. DC 5003 is the general degenerative arthritis code that provides a minimum 10%/20% rating when ROM-based ratings are non-compensable but X-rays confirm arthritis.
Does the 1-year presumptive apply?
Yes — arthritis is listed as a chronic disease in 38 CFR § 3.309(a). If it manifests to a compensable degree within one year of separation, service connection is presumed.
Think your Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine rating is too low?
Four fields. A VA-accredited claims agent reviews it and responds within 3–5 business days. No fee unless past-due benefits are awarded on an appeal.
Requesting a consultation does not create representation and is not a guarantee of any outcome. Representation begins only after a written fee agreement and VA Form 21-22a are signed.