[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 38, Volume 1]

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 38CFR4.66]



[Page 380]

 

            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF

 

                CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

 

PART 4_SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES--Table of Contents

 

                      Subpart B_Disability Ratings

 

Sec. 4.66  Sacroiliac joint.



    The common cause of disability in this region is arthritis, to be 

identified in the usual manner. The lumbosacral and sacroiliac joints 

should be considered as one anatomical segment for rating purposes. X-

ray changes from arthritis in this location are decrease or obliteration 

of the joint space, with the appearance of increased bone density of the 

sacrum and ilium and sharpening of the margins of the joint. Disability 

is manifest from erector spinae spasm (not accounted for by other 

pathology), tenderness on deep palpation and percussion over these 

joints, loss of normal quickness of motion and resiliency, and postural 

defects often accompanied by limitation of flexion and extension of the 

hip. Traumatism is a rare cause of disability in this connection, except 

when superimposed upon congenital defect or upon an existent arthritis; 

to permit assumption of pure traumatic origin, objective evidence of 

damage to the joint, and history of trauma sufficiently severe to injure 

this extremely strong and practically immovable joint is required. There 

should be careful consideration of lumbosacral sprain, and the various 

symptoms of pain and paralysis attributable to disease affecting the 

lumbar vertebrae and the intervertebral disc.