Bones, joints & muscles · DC 5237
VA rating for Lower back pain in 2026
The VA rates lower back pain under 38 CFR 4.71a (diagnostic code 5237) at 10%, 20%, 40%, 50%. Here's what each level means and pays in 2026.
10–20%
Painful, somewhat limited motion rates at least 10% (§4.59 floor).
$180/mo
20–40%
Notably limited motion or altered gait/posture rates 20% — exams sometimes support 40%.
$357/mo
See how it combines with your other ratings
VA disability calculator →Secondary conditions to Lower back pain
Lower back pain commonly causes or worsens these — claiming them is where most veterans raise their rating.
Shooting pain or numbness down a leg
Strong linkBack problems often cause shooting pain or numbness down the legs (radiculopathy) — one of the most-missed secondary claims.
Chronic pain wears on mental health — depression secondary to pain is a recognized claim.
Build the claim, free
Our free builder estimates your rating from your actual symptoms, drafts your statements, and fills your VA forms — including any secondary conditions above. Start free →
Beyond the claim
The rating is step one. The civilian life it's meant to fund is the real fight.
Most veterans leave service without the one thing that lands the job, the offer, or the rating: preparation built for the civilian side. That's what Beyond the Claim is for.
Career Translator
Nearly 1 in 3 veterans is underemployed after service — usually a résumé that never translated the military career into corporate language. We do the translation.
Job Interview Prep
About 44% of veterans leave their first civilian job within a year — a prep-and-fit problem, not a skills one. Practice the exact interview before it counts.
C&P Exam Prep
The gap between a 30% and a 70% rating is more than $1,200 a month — your C&P exam decides which. Walk in ready.
Rating levels and 2026pay are illustrative estimates, not a guarantee. Your actual rating depends on your evidence and C&P exam. ItsYourBenefits is not affiliated with the VA and is not an accredited representative.