Forward flexion
How far the torso bends forward, recorded in degrees.
The General Rating Formula uses forward-flexion thresholds at the 10%, 20%, and 40% levels.
Back DBQ; clinical range-of-motion examination; goniometer; combined range of motion
Reference: 38 CFR 4.71a
Back (Thoracolumbar Spine): Terminology
Plain-English definitions of the terms used
Terminology
Plain-English terms
Extension
How far the torso leans backward, recorded in degrees.
Extension contributes to combined thoracolumbar range of motion.
Back DBQ; combined range of motion
Lateral flexion
How far the torso bends to each side.
Left and right lateral-flexion values contribute to combined range of motion.
Back DBQ; combined range of motion
Rotation
How far the torso turns to each side.
Left and right rotation values contribute to combined range of motion.
Back DBQ; combined range of motion
Combined range of motion
Six thoracolumbar measurements added together.
A total greater than 120 through 235 degrees is listed at 10%; 120 degrees or less is listed at 20%.
Back DBQ; forward flexion; extension; lateral flexion; rotation
Goniometer
The measurement tool used during range-of-motion testing.
Accurate degree measurements make a motion-based criteria comparison traceable.
clinical examination; range of motion
Ankylosis
The spine is fixed rather than simply moving less than normal.
Favorable and unfavorable ankylosis of specific spine regions appear in the 40%, 50%, and 100% pathways.
Back DBQ ankylosis section; favorable ankylosis; unfavorable ankylosis
Flare-up
A temporary increase in back symptoms or limits.
The examination may document additional functional loss or a different degree value during flare-ups.
Back DBQ flare-up section; treatment notes; functional loss; repeated use
Functional loss
How the condition limits normal movement and function, not just how much it hurts.
Functional loss may add context to the measured findings, especially after repeated use or during flare-ups.
Back DBQ; clinical notes; personal statement; 38 CFR 4.40; 38 CFR 4.45; 38 CFR 4.59
IVDS
A disc-related condition with two possible published comparison paths; the higher result applies.
Use the interactive comparison tool on this page to see both formulas' results from the same documented findings, with the higher one identified.
diagnosis records; Back DBQ IVDS section; incapacitating episodes; General Rating Formula; DC 5243
Separate spine segments
A back rating and a neck rating are usually two separate evaluations, not one combined number, unless both are unfavorably fixed.
This is the General Rating Formula's Note (6). It explains why a documented neck finding does not automatically fold into a back percentage, and vice versa.
Back DBQ; cervical spine DBQ; unfavorable ankylosis; entire spine
Traumatic paralysis (DC 5244)
Paraplegia is rated under DC 5110; quadriplegia is rated separately under DC 5109 and DC 5110 and combined. Incomplete paralysis is evaluated under the appropriate peripheral-nerve code instead.
DC 5244 sits in the same eCFR spine table as DC 5235-5243 but is not evaluated using forward flexion, combined range of motion, or ankylosis criteria.
Back DBQ; neurologic examination; paraplegia; quadriplegia; peripheral nerves
Degenerative arthritis cross-reference (DC 5242)
A back arthritis diagnosis can also point toward the general arthritis rating codes on this site's dedicated Arthritis hub, including the same non-combination rule already explained there for other joints.
This site's Arthritis hub (38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5000-5024) now covers DC 5003/5010 directly, including Note (1)'s non-combination rule. RatingScope's Back guide covers the spine-specific General Rating Formula only; whether and how DC 5242's own cross-reference to DC 5003/5010 applies to a specific back diagnosis is disclosed here as a cross-hub pointer, not computed as a combined result.
imaging reports; Back DBQ; degenerative arthritis; degenerative disc disease; Note 1; pyramiding
Medication effects during examination (38 CFR 4.10)
Exam findings should reflect what your spine actually does at the exam, not a hypothetical estimate of how it would perform without your current medication or treatment.
This is a general evaluation principle, not spine-specific, but it directly affects how a documented range-of-motion or pain finding under this formula should be read.
Back DBQ; clinical examination notes; functional loss; 38 CFR 4.10
Sciatica
Pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that may travel from the back into a leg.
Neurologic findings may need a separate radiculopathy review rather than being folded into a hidden back score.
neurologic examination; radiculopathy findings; radiculopathy; lower-extremity nerves
Assistive devices
Equipment used to help with movement or support.
Device use may add functional context, but it does not replace the specific findings in the General Rating Formula.
prescription; Back DBQ assistive-device section; functional impact
Secondary conditions
A separate condition that may be related to another condition.
A relationship is not automatic. RatingScope does not determine medical nexus or service connection.
medical records; medical opinion when applicable; service connection; medical nexus
TDIU
Even if the schedular rating for Back / Thoracolumbar Spine does not reach 100 percent, TDIU may still provide a pathway to compensation at the 100 percent rate, based on unemployability from this and/or other service-connected disabilities combined.
A lower schedular percentage does not by itself foreclose TDIU eligibility -- this hub computes only the schedular percentage for this specific condition and does not determine TDIU eligibility.
Employment history; vocational impact documentation; occupational impairment
Keep going
Related Tools
Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.
Percentage Guide
See what each percentage level means for your condition, then use the whole-person calculator to combine more than one rating.
Open Percentage GuideEvidence Categories
Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.
Review evidence categories