Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain aka “Neck Pain”:

Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain or “neck pain”, and it’s the #5 most claimed VA disability. A total of 1,453,400 disabled veterans are rated for neck conditions. Neck pain is very common among veterans. The VA rates Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, DC 5237. Neck muscles can be strained from poor posture, carrying heavy things, deployments, leaning over your computer, etc. While neck pain can be a symptom of both lumbosacral and cervical strain, the VA considers them separate conditions for disability purposes:

Lumbosacral Strain:

  • Affects the lower back (lumbar spine) and sacrum (triangular bone at the base of the spine).

  • Symptoms include lower back pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

  • VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to assess severity and assign a disability rating based on factors like pain intensity, range of motion, and neurological deficits.

Cervical Strain:

  • Affects the neck (cervical spine).

  • Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.

  • VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine specifically for the cervical spine to assess severity and assign a disability rating based on similar factors as lumbosacral strain.

If your neck pain is solely due to cervical strain and service-connected, you can file a claim for VA disability benefits based on the cervical strain rating criteria. However, if your neck pain is a symptom of lumbosacral strain, it wouldn't be considered separately for disability purposes. The VA would assess your overall lumbar spine condition and assign a rating based on the combined impact on your lower back and any associated symptoms.

VA rating for neck pain range from 10% to 100%. The highest scheduler rating for neck pain is 100 percent, which means your entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. In accordance with the “Painful Motion” principle, if you have pain upon flexion or extension of your neck, the VA is required to award the minimum compensable rating for the condition, which is 10%.