Spinal Stenosis

DC 5238Musculoskeletal38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5238

A narrowing of the spaces in your spine that puts pressure on the nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. The VA rates spinal stenosis using the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine, based on how much your range of motion is limited.

Rating Levels

You have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Both your cervical and thoracolumbar spine are fixed in an abnormal position.

What the VA looks for

Unfavorable ankylosis of entire spine
Entire spine fixed in abnormal position
Total inability to move the spine
Severe impact on all daily activities

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not filing for radiculopathy (nerve pain in the arms or legs) separately — spinal stenosis often compresses nerves, and radiculopathy is rated under separate neurological codes in addition to the spine rating.
⚠Not getting an MRI to document the stenosis — MRI or CT imaging showing the narrowing and nerve compression is critical evidence.
⚠Not reporting pain and limitations on your worst days — DeLuca factors (pain, weakness, fatigability, flare-ups) can support a higher rating.
⚠Not understanding that spinal stenosis can affect either the cervical or thoracolumbar spine — if both are affected, they should be rated separately.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — stenosis commonly causes bladder problems, bowel issues, and sexual dysfunction that may warrant separate ratings.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions
DBQ Neck (Cervical Spine) Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

You have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Both your cervical and thoracolumbar spine are fixed in an abnormal position.

What the VA looks for

Unfavorable ankylosis of entire spine
Entire spine fixed in abnormal position
Total inability to move the spine
Severe impact on all daily activities

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not filing for radiculopathy (nerve pain in the arms or legs) separately — spinal stenosis often compresses nerves, and radiculopathy is rated under separate neurological codes in addition to the spine rating.

⚠Not getting an MRI to document the stenosis — MRI or CT imaging showing the narrowing and nerve compression is critical evidence.

⚠Not reporting pain and limitations on your worst days — DeLuca factors (pain, weakness, fatigability, flare-ups) can support a higher rating.

⚠Not understanding that spinal stenosis can affect either the cervical or thoracolumbar spine — if both are affected, they should be rated separately.

⚠Not filing for secondary conditions — stenosis commonly causes bladder problems, bowel issues, and sexual dysfunction that may warrant separate ratings.