[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR4.66]

[Page 378-379]
 
            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

[[Page 379]]

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.