Schedule Of Rating -- Back Injury

[Fire Courage]

Does anyone know what the diagnostic code is for a back injury/pain?

[Fire Courage]

You are right James. That 5295 was an old DC for back strain. Thanks for the link. What great source; with range of motion pics and all.

The best place outside of the VA internal computer system is the Electronic CFR. Code of Federal Regulations. Go to http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov and you want Title 38, Part 4. Part 4 is the "rating schedule". It's got all the regulations for applying the rating schedule, and separate sections for each body system. You want 38 CFR 4.71a, which is the Musculoskeletal system. Scroll down till you get to the section on the Spine, and there it is, complete with helpful graphics to show the normal ranges of motion.

If I recall correctly, 5295 is an old code for a back strain. Now we use the modern codes which are found in the current rating schedule. If you were rated under the old code, the VA can't reduce your rating under the new code as long as you still meet the criteria for the new code. Any claims for increases would have to be under the new code, of course.