Many service members put their bodies through extreme physical stress in the line of duty. Over time, this stress can have a profound impact on back and spinal health, leading to acute or chronic conditions that make daily life extremely difficult.
The most common back-related conditions for veterans include:

• Chronic Back Pain: For VA purposes, chronic back pain is any back pain that persists over time and limits mobility and daily activities. Chronic low back pain, such as pain due to a lumbar sprain, is among the most predominant and is associated with reduced physical abilities in the service and civilian life.
• Herniated Discs: This condition occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing, potentially irritating nearby nerves and resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness. It can be caused by sudden injury or repetitive stress or trauma on the spine.
• Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS): A common spinal condition where the intervertebral discs in the back degrade with time or injury, leading to pain and nerve issues. IVDS can occur in one or more discs at a time and usually requires bed rest and treatment by a doctor.

For conditions like herniated discs and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), the VA disability ranking system assigns a percentage based on the frequency and duration of incapacitating episodes, rather than musculoskeletal function and range of motion.

• 10% Rating: Incapacitating episodes totaling at least one week but less than two weeks in the past 12 months.
• 20% Rating: Episodes lasting at least two weeks but less than four weeks.
• 40% Rating: Episodes lasting at least four weeks but less than six weeks.
• 60% Rating: Episodes lasting six weeks or more.

An incapacitating episode is defined as a period of acute symptoms that requires doctor-prescribed bed rest and subsequent treatment by a healthcare provider.

In order to obtain a VA disability rating for back pain and be eligible for compensation, your condition must have been caused or worsened by your time in the service.

You can prove a service connection in different ways:

1. Current Diagnosis: Medical evidence of a back condition
2. In-Service Event or Injury: Documentation or testimony of an event during service that caused or aggravated your back condition
3. Nexus (Link) Between Service and Current Condition: Medical opinion linking your current back condition to the in-service event

There are many sorts of evidence that can be provided in support of your claim, including medical records, service treatment records (SMRs), witness statements, and medical opinions. You can submit service-related documents yourself or give the VA permission to obtain them.

There are never any guarantees when it comes to filing for VA disability. However, there are things you can do to increase the likelihood of a successful back pain disability claim.

• Seek Continuous Medical Treatment: Regular medical visits create a documented history of your condition and provide essential proof in support of your claim.
• Be Thorough and Honest in Examinations: Clearly describe your symptoms and their impact on your daily life during medical evaluations.
• Consider Secondary Conditions: You may qualify for additional ratings (and thus additional benefits) if your back pain is aggravating or otherwise contributing to another condition. Secondary conditions commonly tied to back pain include osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

The VA disability claims process can be complicated, and it’s normal to feel confused or overwhelmed. Consider reaching out to a veterans’ disability lawyer if you need help, and make sure you get the VA disability rating you deserve for your back or spine condition.