VASRD 5235 · Musculoskeletal System
Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation VA Disability Rating
Broken or dislocated spinal bones that may limit movement or cause pain.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | The entire spine — neck and back together — is fused rigid in a poor position, meeting VA's definition of unfavorable ankylosis. |
| 50% | The whole mid and lower back is fused rigid in a poor position, though the neck still moves. |
| 40% | The whole neck is fused rigid in a poor position, the lower back bends forward only 30 degrees or less, or the whole mid and lower back is fused in a neutral position. |
| 30% | The neck bends forward only 15 degrees or less, or the whole neck is fused in a neutral position. |
| 20% | Moderate loss of back or neck motion, or muscle spasm or guarding bad enough to change how you walk or hold your spine. |
| 10% | Mild loss of back or neck motion; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness that does not change gait or posture; or a vertebral body that lost half its height or more in a fracture. |
How the VA Evaluates Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation
Rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (38 CFR 4.71a) on goniometer-measured forward flexion, combined range of motion, muscle spasm or guarding, and ankylosis — not on the fracture itself. Imaging confirms the fracture and any loss of vertebral body height, and a vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height meets the 10 percent criteria on its own. Any associated objective neurologic abnormality is evaluated separately under an appropriate diagnostic code.
Approval outlook
High – if fracture was in-service or led to long-term pain.
Veterans service-connected
~22,000 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~20%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •Imaging reports (X-ray, CT, or MRI) documenting the fracture and its current state.
- •Orthopedic evaluations documenting range of motion and any spinal deformity.
- •Service treatment records showing the original fracture event.
- •Specialist reports from orthopedics or neurology documenting residual effects.
- •X-ray or MRI of the spine showing fracture site
- •Neurologist report for cord symptoms
- •C&P exam including spine mobility testing
- •Pain logs or therapy notes
Strategy Tips
- •Get updated imaging, since a fracture documented at the time of injury doesn't automatically establish today's severity - current X-rays or MRI showing the spine's present condition matter more for an ongoing rating.
- •Mention muscle guarding, spasms, and pain flare-ups specifically, since these can support a rating even when range-of-motion measurements alone might understate the condition.
- •Show how mobility is limited day-to-day (bending, lifting, prolonged sitting or standing), which helps connect the clinical measurements to real functional impact.
- •Document mobility issues and pain in detail, since the specific type and severity of residual impairment, not just having had a fracture, determines the tier.
- •Track any assistive device use, such as a brace, since this is direct evidence supporting the higher rating tiers for spinal instability.
- •Use complete imaging showing fracture and healing
- •Document nerve effects if present
- •Describe daily limitations due to residuals
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •Range-of-motion testing that isn't performed properly or thoroughly, which can result in a measurement that doesn't reflect your true limitation.
- •No documentation of how the original injury occurred, which can make it harder to establish that the current condition traces back to service.
- •No current symptoms reported from an old, healed fracture, which can leave the claim without evidence of ongoing impact.
- •Unclear documentation of exactly which vertebra was affected.
- •Incomplete imaging of fracture site
- •Missing neurologic assessment if symptoms present
- •Only documenting general back pain
Common Filing Mistakes
- •Not getting updated imaging, since old records from the time of the original fracture may not reflect the spine's current condition.
- •Claiming pain without structural findings to support it, since this code specifically depends on imaging-confirmed fracture or dislocation, not pain alone.
- •No brace documentation when claiming instability, since assistive device use is directly relevant to that rating tier.
- •Failing to clearly link current pain back to the original fracture.
- •No fracture imaging submitted
- •ROM or function not documented
- •Fracture not linked to service injury
Onset Patterns
- •This condition results from a specific in-service trauma - a fall, training accident, or other significant impact - that caused the vertebral fracture or dislocation.
- •Vertebral fractures typically result from trauma or falls, though they can also occur more easily in veterans with osteoporosis.
- •Typically caused by trauma, fall, or impact
- •Pain may remain even after healing
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Chronic Back Pain
Due to instability
Radiculopathy
Nerve involvement from vertebra
Spinal Arthritis
Post-traumatic changes
Spinal Cord Injury
Fractures near the cord can cause motor deficits.
Chronic Pain Syndrome
Pain may persist long after the fracture heals.
Common questions about Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation
- Is Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation under VASRD diagnostic code 5235 (Musculoskeletal System). Broken or dislocated spinal bones that may limit movement or cause pain.
- What VA disability rating can I get for Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation?
- Possible VA ratings for Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation are 100%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%. Examples: 100%: The entire spine — neck and back together — is fused rigid in a poor position, meeting VA's definition of unfavorable ankylosis.; 50%: The whole mid and lower back is fused rigid in a poor position, though the…
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation at around 20%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 22,000 veterans are service-connected for Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation. Estimated approval outlook: High – if fracture was in-service or led to long-term…
- What evidence helps prove Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation claim includes: Imaging reports (X-ray, CT, or MRI) documenting the fracture and its current state.; Orthopedic evaluations documenting range of motion and any spinal deformity.; Service treatment records showing the original fracture event.; Specialist reports f…
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation: Not getting updated imaging, since old records from the time of the original fracture may not reflect the spine's current condition.; Claiming pain without structural findings to support it, since this code specifically depends on imaging-confirmed fra…
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation include: Chronic Back Pain, Radiculopathy, Spinal Arthritis. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.71a — Schedule of ratings — musculoskeletal system (Diagnostic Code 5235)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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