A condition where a spinal disc bulges or ruptures, potentially compressing nearby nerves.
For the General Rating Formula, the most important records are spine examination findings that document how far you can bend forward and what your combined range of motion is. Range-of-motion measurements should be rounded to the nearest five degrees. Records showing muscle spasm, guarding, or an abnormal gait or spinal contour — such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis — support higher ratings. Imaging and clinical notes confirming disc herniation with nerve root compression or irritation are needed to use this diagnostic code at all.
For the Incapacitating Episodes Formula, treatment records are central. You need documentation showing that a physician prescribed bed rest and provided treatment during each acute episode, along with the dates and duration of each episode so the total weeks within the past 12 months can be calculated. Physician notes, hospital or urgent-care records, and prescription records that establish both the bed-rest order and the treatment are the most direct evidence. Statements from you or people who live with you describing how episodes affect your ability to work or care for yourself can help fill in the picture, particularly when paired with those treatment records.
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.
