Spinal stenosis occurs when the passages in your spine narrow or become partially blocked, putting pressure on the nerves. This can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, it may result in myelopathy, paralysis, bladder or bowel issues, headaches, and other serious symptoms.
Stenosis may affect the spinal column itself or the intervertebral foramen, where nerve roots branch laterally from the spine. Compression in these areas, known as foraminal stenosis, can disrupt signals between the brain, spinal column, and other parts of the body, often causing radiculopathy.
If your spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis is linked to or aggravated by your military service, you may qualify for VA disability compensation.
Other Spinal Conditions
Spinal stenosis is often associated with other back conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or ankylosis/ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosis, for instance, can cause the bones in your spine to fuse, leading to significant loss of motion.
VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis
The VA rates spinal stenosis under the same general formula used for similar spinal conditions, including:
- Lumbosacral or cervical strain (Diagnostic Code 5237): Refers to neck or back pain.
- Spondylolisthesis/segmental instability (Diagnostic Code 5239): A condition causing vertebrae to slip forward over the one below.
- Ankylosing spondylitis (Diagnostic Code 5240): A painful form of spinal arthritis.
- Spinal fusion (Diagnostic Code 5241): A surgical procedure to restrict spinal movement by bolting vertebrae together.
- Vertebral fractures and dislocations (Diagnostic Code 5235): Fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae.
If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, your disability rating will range from 0% to 100%. The rating is largely based on the degree of range-of-motion loss caused by the condition.
Unfavorable position: The spine is locked in a non-vertical position, creating significant functional limitations.
Favorable position: The spine is locked but remains vertical, allowing tasks like sitting in a chair.
Measuring range of motion
VA physicians use a goniometer to measure your range of motion (ROM) in six directions. They will assess how far you can move, twist, or turn without hitting your limit or experiencing significant pain, recording the degrees of movement in each direction.
The total of these measurements is your ROM score, which the VA uses to determine your disability rating.
- Locked spine in an unfavorable position: May qualify for a high disability rating, up to 100%.
- Locked spine in a favorable position: Ratings may range from 30% to 40%.
- Unfrozen spine: Ratings are based on how much ROM remains, as measured by the goniometer.
To receive a 100% disability rating for stenosis, you typically need severe ankylosis across your entire spine, locking it in an unfavorable position, unless you have severe secondary conditions.
Spinal Stenosis VA Rating Formula
The general rating formula for spinal stenosis and the other spinal conditions listed above is as follows:
General Rating Formula – Spinal Stenosis and Select Spinal Conditions
| VA Disability Rating% | Cervical Spine (neck) | Thoracolumbar spine |
| 0% | Flexion ≥45 degrees, OR combined ROM ≥ 340 degrees | Flexion ≥ 90 degrees, OR combined ROM ≥ 240 degrees |
| 10% | Flexion between 30 and 45 degrees, OR combined ROM between 175 and 340 degrees | Flexion between 60 and 90 degrees, OR combined ROM between 150 and 240 degrees |
| 20% | Flexion between 15 and 35 degrees, OR combined ROM ≤ 170% | Flexion between 30 and 60 degrees OR combined ROM of ≤ 120% |
| 30% | Flexion measures 15 degrees or less, OR entire cervical spine is frozen in a favorable position. | |
| 40% | Entire cervical spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. | Flexion measures 30 degrees or less, OR entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable position. |
| 50% | Entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. | |
| 100% | Entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. |
Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability
If your back injury renders you unable to work, you may qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) under 38 CFR 4.16.
To qualify for TDIU, you must meet the following criteria:
- Unable to perform your prior occupation
- Unable to maintain employment in the national economy due to your service-connected disability
The difference in benefits between a 40% and 100% disability rating is substantial. In 2025, a single veteran with no dependents and a 40% rating would receive $774.16 per month, while a veteran with a 100% rating would receive $3,831.30 per month.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis can result from various conditions, including herniated or bulging discs, where the soft tissue between spinal segments shifts into the nerve canal or ventral nerve roots. Other causes include:
- Tumors and lesions
- Enlarged facet joints
- Thickened ligaments
- Displaced vertebrae from injuries
- Vertebral fractures
- Rheumatoid arthritis, which can lead to bone spurs
Stenosis most commonly affects the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions, with lumbar stenosis being the most prevalent. It can also, though less frequently, occur in the thoracic (upper back) area.
Seek medical attention if you experience severe back pain, weakness, numbness, loss of control in an extremity, “foot drop,” bowel or bladder issues, or numbness in the saddle area.
Spinal Stenosis Diagnosis and Treatment
If spinal stenosis is suspected, your doctor may order X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or CT or CT myelogram. The latter two will show whether soft tissue may be impinging or invading the spinal cord area.
In many cases, symptoms resolve themselves with rest, physical therapy, exercise, and anti-inflammatories. If these conservative options don’t get results, your doctor may recommend injecting a corticosteroid into your spine, which can give you relief for a few days or weeks.
In severe cases, or where the use of conservative treatment options just isn’t effective for you, you and your doctors may consider surgery.
Service Connection
To collect VA disability compensation benefits, you must shoTo collect VA disability compensation, you must establish that your spinal stenosis is service-connected. This requires three key elements:
- Diagnosis: Evidence of a spinal stenosis diagnosis.
- In-Service Event: Proof of an occurrence or incident during service that caused or aggravated the condition.
- Medical Nexus: A medical opinion connecting the diagnosed stenosis to the in-service event.
VA examiners will review your medical records during and after your time in service to determine a connection. Note that spinal stenosis does not carry a presumptive service connection, so the burden of proof lies with the veteran.
Secondary Service Connection
If your spinal stenosis wasn’t diagnosed during service, you may still qualify for VA compensation through a secondary service connection. This means your stenosis likely developed due to an existing service-connected injury or illness.
For example: If you suffered whiplash from a Humvee accident in service and later developed cervical spinal stenosis, your condition might be connected to the original injury.
In addition, spinal stenosis can lead to secondary conditions that may qualify for additional VA ratings, including:
- Radiculopathy: Nerve pain or weakness radiating into the limbs.
- Neurogenic bladder: Issues with bladder control caused by nerve damage.
- Knee and hip problems: Often resulting from walking difficulties.
If your service-related stenosis causes secondary conditions, these conditions will be rated separately and could increase your overall compensation.
Incapacitating Episodes
If your MRIs don’t show a significant stenosis, but you are experiencing severe back pain that still inhibits your ability to work, and you have intervertebral disc syndrome, you may be able to get a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes. These are periods of acute pain severe enough for a doctor to proscribe bed rest.
The VA awards disability ratings for incapacitating episodes as follows:
- 60% – for incapacitating episodes totaling at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months;
- 40% – for incapacitating episodes totaling at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months;
- 20% – for incapacitating episodes totaling at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months;
- 10% – for incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months.
Your Compensation & Pension Exam
If you are pursuing VA disability benefits, you may be required to attend a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. During this evaluation, the examiner will ask about your medical history, assess your symptoms, and measure your range of motion to determine the severity of your condition.
Ongoing Exams and Preventive Health Evaluations
Once enrolled in VA care, you may also undergo annual exams at a local Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Center, known as Comprehensive Preventive Health Evaluations (CPHE) or “wellness checks.” These evaluations focus on:
- Monitoring your condition and identifying worsening symptoms.
- Addressing treatment and support needs, including physical and occupational therapy.
- Discussing mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse, which often accompany chronic back injuries.
If anxiety or depression is linked to your service-connected condition, you may qualify for an additional disability rating.
Compliance with Exams
To continue receiving VA disability benefits, it’s crucial to attend all scheduled exams and comply with recommended treatments. Regular evaluations not only ensure your benefits remain intact but also provide opportunities to address any changes in your condition or care needs.
You may be asked to take a compensation & pension exam (C&P exam). At these exams, you can expect your doctor to ask you questions about your background and medical history, evaluate your symptoms and range of motion.
Why you may need a veterans disability attorney
Spinal injury claims are among the most frequently mishandled by the VA. A 2019 Inspector General report revealed that more than half of the 62,500 spinal injury claims decided in the first half of 2018 were processed incorrectly.
Common VA Processing Errors Include:
- Improper evaluations.
- Missed secondary conditions.
- Decisions based on inadequate exams.
These errors led to an estimated $5.9 million in unpaid benefits for veterans during the period studied.
If you believe your spinal injury claim was wrongly denied or undervalued, a VA disability attorney can help. At Hill & Ponton, we have successfully assisted thousands of veterans in securing the benefits they deserve. For a free, confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your case, contact us today →
