According to the VA 2015 Annual Benefits Report, over 395,000 veterans currently receive VA disability benefits for degenerative arthritis of the spine. Injury and joint overuse, both common among veterans, can contribute to degenerative arthritis.

It is important to note that both degenerative arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis  may be eligible for presumptive service-connection if symptoms appear within one year of discharge from military service. A veteran only needs to show that the condition is at least 10 percent disabling, and that symptoms began within one year of discharge.

It is really difficult to decide how best to rate a spine condition, but the basic rule of thumb is to rate it under the code that would give the highest rating. Always start first with the General Rating Formula. There are, of course, a few exceptions .