Spondylolisthesis — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Spondylolisthesis
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960M-14 (Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Spondylolisthesis — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Spondylolisthesis, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Spondylolisthesis
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (DC 5239). Associated radiculopathy or other neurologic findings are rated separately under 4.124a.. Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 but not greater than 85 degrees (or cervical greater than 30 but not greater than 40 degrees); or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 but not greater than 235 degrees; or muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.
Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees (or cervical greater than 15 but not greater than 30 degrees); or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to cause an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.
Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Spondylolisthesis raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Spondylolisthesis claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2020 · PMID 33153454
Finding: Among 1,521 18-year-old male military conscripts diagnosed with spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis (SL/SLS), researchers tracked clinical progression over 3 years of obligatory service. Overall progression to grade 2 spondylolisthesis was 1.02%, with the highest progression in recruits who already had painful grade 1 SLS (Cat4: 2.2% vs asymptomatic Cat3: 0.5%, relative risk 4.7, p<0.02).
Why it helps: Documents that spondylolisthesis is present and can clinically progress during military service, and that a painful baseline carries a higher risk of worsening - useful context for an in-service onset or aggravation argument.
Journal of Special Operations Medicine, 2024 · PMID 39243403
Finding: In 3,993 full-spine X-rays of paratrooper recruits, 66 (1.6%) were deemed unfit, including 13 with grade II-III spondylolisthesis. The authors concluded that spondylolisthesis above grade I and low back pain are more significant than scoliosis or kyphosis for setting airborne (high-impact) duty standards.
Why it helps: Supports an association between higher-grade spondylolisthesis and the rigors of airborne/high-impact military duty, and shows the military itself treats grade II+ spondylolisthesis as duty-limiting.
World Neurosurgery, 2024 · PMID 39053854
Finding: Across 2,666,277 Korean military draft examinees (2015-2022), isthmic spondylolisthesis prevalence was significantly correlated with occasional (r=0.81, p=0.015) and high-risk (r=0.86, p=0.007) alcohol consumption, while spondylolysis prevalence rose over the period.
Why it helps: Provides large-scale, military-age-male prevalence data establishing that isthmic spondylolisthesis is a measurable condition in young men entering service, useful baseline context for an in-service claim.
Der Unfallchirurg, 1996 · PMID 8928016
Finding: In an occupational-disease appraisal review, the authors note that a person with isthmic spondylolisthesis is up to 25% more likely to have significant back trouble over a lifetime, and that long-standing heavy lifting or excessive stooping can convert an otherwise asymptomatic spondylolisthesis into symptomatic disease or worsen existing symptoms.
Why it helps: Supports an aggravation argument that heavy lifting and repetitive bending - hallmark physical demands of military duty - can make a pre-existing spondylolisthesis symptomatic or worse.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2024 · PMID 38245679
Finding: Among 24 active-duty military pilots who had lumbar surgery for disc herniation or isthmic spondylolisthesis, 70.8% (17/24) returned to flight duty; reasons for not returning included residual radicular symptoms and chronic low back pain.
Why it helps: Illustrates that symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs in active-duty service members and can have career and functional consequences even after treatment, supporting service-related severity.
Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, 2019 · nexus to lumbar radiculopathy, neurogenic claudication / spinal stenosis · PMID 31078230
Finding: This review defines degenerative spondylolisthesis as one of the most common causes of low back pain and describes how low-grade slips commonly present with radiculopathy and/or pseudoclaudication (neurogenic claudication from associated stenosis).
Why it helps: Supports an association between spondylolisthesis and downstream conditions - lumbar radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication/stenosis - that are frequently claimed as secondary to the spondylolisthesis itself.
BMC Surgery, 2023 · nexus to diabetes, obesity · PMID 37407952
Finding: Pooling 39 cohort studies, the reoperation rate after degenerative spondylolisthesis surgery was 10% (95% CI 8-12%), and obesity (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-3.51), diabetes (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.43-2.82), and smoking (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.23-1.84) were each independent risk factors for reoperation.
Why it helps: Supports an association between service-connected comorbidities such as diabetes and obesity and worse spondylolisthesis outcomes, useful for a secondary-aggravation argument when those conditions are already service-connected.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Spondylolisthesis
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Spondylolisthesis. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Radiculopathy
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Sciatica
Nexus strength: strong· Commonly granted
Spinal Stenosis
Nexus strength: moderate
Peripheral Neuropathy (Lower Extremity)
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Major Depressive Disorder
Nexus strength: moderate· Commonly granted
Insomnia / Chronic Sleep Disturbance
Nexus strength: moderate
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Filing a Spondylolisthesisclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Spondylolisthesis should also be looking at:
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Draft your Spondylolisthesis personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Spondylolisthesis.
Spondylolisthesis Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.