A neck pain VA rating may be the golden ticket to the VA benefits and compensation you rightfully deserve.
But how do you get there?
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explain how the VA rates neck pain, the easiest way to file your VA claim, what to expect at your compensation & pension exam, and much more.
The VA claims process isn’t always straightforward, but we’re here to educate and guide you through. Let’s get to it!
Summary of Key Points
- The VA rates neck pain under several diagnostic codes in the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, depending on the underlying condition.
- VA ratings for neck pain are 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 100%, depending on symptoms like limitation range of motion and painful motion.
- To receive a neck pain VA rating, you must service-connect your condition, proving to the VA that your military service caused (or aggravated) your neck pain.
Table of Contents
Neck Pain in Veterans
As a veteran, your neck muscles can become strained from poor posture, carrying heavy things, military training exercises, high-intensity physical training, deployments, or long hours hunched over a computer. It’s no easy feat protecting our country!
The good news is you can get VA disability benefits for neck pain if your condition was caused or made worse by your military service.
- Pro Tip: There are various medical terms for neck pain including lumbosacral, cervical strain, and cervicalgia, so you may see them used interchangeably as you navigate the VA claims process.
How the VA Rates Neck Pain
The VA rates neck pain under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. There is no specific diagnostic code for neck pain; instead, it’s listed under multiple codes, ranging from 5235 to 5243.
The VA assigns disability ratings based on several factors, but your neck’s range of motion (ROM) is one of the most critical elements.
The VA ratings for neck pain are 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 100%, with your neck pain VA disability rating depending upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms, including limitation of ROM and painful motion.
VA Disability: Neck Range of Motion (ROM)
The range of motion assesses how much your neck can move and how limited that movement is due to pain, stiffness, or other symptoms.
For VA disability ratings, the cervical spine is evaluated based on the following movements:
- Forward flexion: How far you can bend your neck forward.
- Extension: How far you can bend your neck backward.
- Lateral flexion (right and left): How far you can tilt your neck to the right or left.
- Lateral rotation (right and left): How far you can turn your neck to the right or left.
If you experience a limited range of motion and chronic pain that impacts your daily life and work, you may be eligible for a neck strain VA rating, which could provide significant support and relief.
Neck Pain VA Rating Chart
Here’s how the VA evaluates 38 CFR neck pain ratings based on the range of motion (ROM):
| General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine | VA Disability Rating |
| Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine | 100% |
| Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine | 50% |
| Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine | 40% |
| Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine | 30% |
| 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, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis | 20% |
| Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine 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 abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height | 10% |
Filing for VA Disability for Neck Pain
To be eligible for benefits and compensation, you must file for VA disability for neck pain. While the VA process can be a pain in the neck, there are efficient ways to get it done.
First, the quickest way to file a VA claim is online, but you can download, complete, and submit your application with VA Form 21-526EZ by mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
In addition, you can fax your completed application or visit a VA regional office near you.
You don’t have to do anything once you’ve submitted your VA claim application unless the VA contacts you for additional information.
Regardless of how you apply for VA benefits, you can check the status of your VA claim online.
You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating. We CAN HELP.
Take advantage of a VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Learn what you’ve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you’ve earned for your service.
Proving Service Connection for Neck Pain
You may know your military service caused your condition, but how do you prove neck pain is service connected?
To prove a service-connected disability, you must provide documentation of the following three things:
- A current medical diagnosis (see below)
- An in-service event, injury, or illness that caused or aggravated the disability;
- A medical nexus (or link) between the present condition and the incident (can be a VA Nexus Letter)
Related: 3 Keys to Prove Your Service Connected Disability!
Diagnosing Neck Pain in Veterans
To receive VA disability for neck pain, you must have a current medical diagnosis. There are several ways your healthcare provider can diagnose neck pain, including:
- Imaging tests (i.e., x-rays, CT scans or MRI)
- Blood tests (Can help provide evidence of inflammation
- Electromyography (EMG)
Since neck pain is frequently an umbrella term for multiple conditions, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the technical terms you’ll encounter.
For example, healthcare professionals utilize the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) code to help categorize and record diagnoses.
The ICD 10 code for neck pain is M54.2 – Cervicalgia, but other clinical codes may be used.
C&P Exam for Neck Pain
A compensation & pension (C&P) exam for neck pain involves a series of questions, including a physical examination, diagnostic testing (X-ray, if none have been performed), and a Range of Motion (ROM) test with a Goniometer.
Rest assured; this process is designed to assess your condition accurately.
VA ratings for neck pain require an accurate ROM test of the head’s flexion extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.
Pro Tips for your C&P exam for neck pain
- Review your records before your exam so you’re prepared for the questions asked.
- Be honest about your symptoms, and never lie or stretch the truth about your disability.
- Explain how your symptoms affect your daily life.
- Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and paint a clear picture of the severity of your condition.
See More: 10 EXPERT Tips to DOMINATE Your C&P Exam: The Ultimate Guide
What are the Secondary VA Conditions to Neck Pain?
As if one condition wasn’t enough, neck pain frequently leads to secondary conditions.
A secondary condition (SC) occurs when a service-connected disability has caused or has aggravated a new or pre-existing condition, illness, or injury.
One of the most common secondary VA conditions to neck pain is radiculopathy, a compression of your nerve due to increased pressure. It’s also common for neck pain to cause migraine headaches, back and shoulder pain.
See More: VA Disability Ratings for Radiculopathy here
Neck Pain & TDIU
If your neck pain prevents you from obtaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
When you qualify for TDIU, you receive benefits at a 100% disability rate, even if your combined disability rating is less than 100%.
The requirements for TDIU are:
This must be true:
You can’t hold down a steady job that supports you financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of your service-connected disability. Odd jobs (marginal employment) don’t count.
And ONE of these must be true:
- You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
To apply for TDIU, complete and submit VA Form 21-8940.
Related: How to Win Your VA TDIU Claim (The Experts Guide)
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Can you file a claim for neck pain VA disability?
Yes, you can file a claim for neck pain VA disability if your military service caused your condition. The VA recognizes various neck conditions, including neck strain, cervicalgia, and other spine-related issues, and provides disability ratings based on the severity of symptoms and their impact on your daily functioning.
Can you get a VA rating for neck range of motion problems?
Yes, you can receive a VA rating for neck range of motion problems, as the VA evaluates neck conditions primarily based on how limited your neck’s movement is.
What is the cervicalgia VA rating?
There is no specific cervicalgia VA rating; instead, it is typically rated under 38 CFR § 4.71a, the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with ratings ranging from 0% to 100%.
Can I get a cervical strain VA rating?
Yes, you may qualify for a cervical strain VA rating if you can prove your military service caused your condition. Cervical strain VA ratings range from 10% to 100%, depending on the severity, frequency, and duration of your symptoms.
How does the VA rate cervical radiculopathy?
The VA rates cervical radiculopathy based on the impacted nerve or nerve group and the severity of your overall condition.
What is the average VA disability rating for neck pain?
The average VA disability rating for neck pain varies depending on the severity of the condition and the range of motion limitations. The VA rates neck pain at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 100%.
Is a pinched nerve a VA disability?
Yes, the VA considers pinched nerves, or radiculopathy, a disability, and you may be eligible for a VA rating. You may qualify for a pinched nerve VA rating if your military service caused your condition or aggravated a preexisting condition.
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?
Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting the compensation they’re due. At VA Claims Insider, we educate you on how to understand and take control of the claims process so you can get the rating and compensation you’re owed by law.
Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully developed claim (FDC)—so you can increase your rating fast! If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating—or you’re unsure how to get started—reach out to us!
Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Learn what you’ve been missing—so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve!
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
