How Much VA Disability Will I Get for Back Pain?
In 2023, more than 1.4 million veterans were receiving disability benefits for one of those two conditions. But there are a great many other service-connected injuries and conditions that may cause back pain.
The amount of compensation a veteran receives depends on a variety of factors, including the injury or condition causing the pain and the severity of the injury or condition. Before the VA reaches that step, though, the veteran must first establish that the injury or medical condition is service-connected. That means that the injury occurred during military service, or that the condition was caused or made worse by an event that occurred during the veteran’s military service.
VA Disability Ratings and Compensation
The main factor in determining how much a veteran receives in monthly VA disability benefits is the disability rating assigned. The VA assigns disability ratings in increments of 10. So, the disability rating assigned may be 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%. In 2024, the monthly monetary benefit for each level is:
- 0% – no monetary benefit
- 10% – $171.23/month
- 20% – $338.49/month
- 30% – $524.31/month
- 40% – $755.28/month
- 50% – $1,075.16/month
- 60% – $1,361.88/month
- 70% – $1,716.28/month
- 80% – $1,995.01/month
- 90% – $2,241.91/month
- 100% – $3,737.85/month
These amounts are updated annually.
A veteran may be entitled to more compensation than the base monthly amount in certain circumstances. For example, a veteran with eligible dependents will receive a small amount of additional monthly compensation for each dependent.
Establishing the Maximum Possible VA Disability Rating for Back Pain
To give yourself the best chance at getting the highest available disability rating for the condition causing your back pain, you’ll need to understand how your condition is rated and what type of evidence is required to show the severity of your condition. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you need to become an expert on VA disability law and policy. An experienced veterans disability benefits advocate can guide you through the process.
VA Disability Rating Schedules and Back Pain
In most cases, the VA rates a veteran’s disability based on schedules that are published in the Code of Federal Regulations. Most back problems are rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. That schedule allows for VA disability ratings of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 100%. The rating is determined largely based on range of motion. For example:
- A 100% disability rating is assigned for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, meaning the spine is fixed in flexion or extension
- A 50% disability rating is assigned for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine–the portion of the spine connecting the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine
- A 40% disability rating is assigned for any of the following:
- Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or
- Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, or
- Favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine
- A 30% disability rating is assigned for:
- Forward flexion of the cervical spine of 15 degrees or less, or
- Favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine
- A 20% disability rating is assigned for any of the following:
- Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees, but not greater than 60 degrees, or
- Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees, but not greater than 30 degrees, or
- Combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of not greater than 120 degrees, or
- Combined range of motion of the cervical spine of not more than 170 degrees, or
- Muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour
- A 10% disability rating is assigned for any of the following:
- Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, or
- Forward flexion of the cervical spine of greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees, or
- Combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees, or
- Combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees, or
- Muscle spasm, guarding or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour, or
- Vertebral body fracture with loss of 50% or more of the height
Some spinal conditions and other conditions that may cause back pain are rated under separate schedules. For example, intervertebral disc syndrome has its own rating system based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes.
Get the Help You Need with a VA Disability Claim for Back Pain
As you can see, your diagnosis and some very precise medical information will play a significant role in determining the amount of VA disability benefits you may receive for a condition causing back pain. When you work with an experienced disability benefits advocate at Disabled Vets, we’ll help you fight for the highest disability rating available by:
- Helping ensure that you have identified all conditions that may be service-connected or secondarily connected
- Knowing and explaining the standards the VA will apply in determining your disability rating and what type of evidence they will be looking for
- Assessing your medical documentation to see whether there are additional tests you should have or steps you should take before submitting your claim
- Helping you assemble the strongest possible documentation
To learn more about how we can help with your VA disability claim or appeal, call 888-373-4722 or fill out our contact form here.
