A type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing stiffness and pain.
Because ratings depend on measured spinal motion and the presence or absence of ankylosis, a VA or private examination that records exact range-of-motion measurements is central to your claim. The examiner should measure forward flexion, extension, and lateral flexion and rotation of both the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, rounding each measurement to the nearest five degrees. Records showing repeated measurements that differ from each other (called pain-on-motion or flare-up findings) can also support the picture of your functional loss.
Imaging such as X-rays or MRI can document fusion, loss of disc height, or abnormal spinal curvature such as kyphosis or scoliosis. A physician's note explaining whether any ankylosis is favorable or unfavorable — and describing consequences such as restricted breathing, difficulty swallowing, or neurologic changes — directly addresses the higher rating criteria.
Statements from you or people who know you describing how spinal stiffness, pain, or limited motion affects your ability to work, bend, lift, or perform daily tasks can help show functional impact at each rating level. If you have bowel, bladder, or other neurologic symptoms related to your spine, those should be documented separately, as they are evaluated under a different diagnostic code.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
