Scoliosis and Military Service: The Degrees That Decide

The short answer: degree I scoliosis does not prevent conscription, degree IV always does, and the real contest happens around degree II — because that is exactly where article 66 of the Schedule of Diseases draws its line, in degrees of angle. Fixed degree II scoliosis at 11–17° without functional impairment yields category B-4, meaning you serve. The same curvature at 18–25° yields category V.

Which fitness category scoliosis yields

The Chaklin scale: how the degree is measured

A radiologist determines the degree from the image, and the regulation names the scale directly:

The degree of scoliosis is determined by a radiologist from radiographs on the basis of measured scoliosis angles: degree I — 1–10 degrees, degree II — 11–25 degrees, degree III — 26–50 degrees, degree IV — more than 50 degrees (Chaklin scale).

Which is why "I have scoliosis" without a number tells the board nothing: the same diagnosis at 12° and at 24° leads to different clauses and different categories.

Why the second degree is two different stories

Clause «g» carves out a narrow corridor:

g) fixed scoliosis of degree II with a spinal curvature angle of 11–17 degrees, without functional impairment

And clause «v» covers everything else, explicitly excluding that corridor:

Clause «v» covers: fixed acquired curvatures of the spine accompanied by vertebral rotation (degree II scoliosis, osteochondropathic kyphosis with wedge deformity of 3 or more vertebrae…), except for fixed degree II scoliosis with a curvature angle of 11–17 degrees, without functional impairment

In other words, 18 degrees is already a different category from 17. A single degree on the image changes the outcome, which makes the quality of the radiograph and the precision of measurement matter more than any wording.

What "fixed" and "with rotation" mean

Clause «v» requires two things at once: the curvature must be fixed — it does not disappear when the spine is unloaded — and accompanied by vertebral rotation, the vertebrae turning about their axis. A non-fixed curvature that straightens when lying down, or one without rotation, does not fall under this clause; clause «d» with category B-3 remains for them.

These features are established radiologically, and the regulation asks for more than one image:

The nature of pathological changes of the spine must be confirmed by multi-axial, loaded and functional radiological studies and, where indicated, by other investigations (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radioisotope studies, densitometry and others).

Functional impairment: how it is measured

The words "without functional impairment" in clause «g» are not a formality. For a minor degree of impairment the regulation describes the signs:

clinical manifestations of static disturbances appear after 5–6 hours in an upright position; restriction of the range of spinal movement… up to 20 percent

For a moderate degree — inability to stand for more than 1–2 hours and a 20–50 % restriction of range; for a significant degree — over 50 %. There are concrete mobility norms too: on bending, the distance between the spinous processes of C7 and S1 increases by 5 cm or more, and lateral bends reach at least 25 degrees from the vertical.

What your records must contain

• A radiograph stating the angle in degrees and the word "fixed", where that applies.
• A note on vertebral rotation — without it clause «v» does not apply.
• Functional images (bending forward and back) where instability is at issue.
• A description of the range of movement as a percentage restriction.
• A history of visits for pain: the regulation explicitly requires that pain be confirmed by repeated requests for medical care recorded in the documents.
• The chart code is M41; it records scoliosis but neither the degrees nor the fixation.

What is usually missing

• The imaging report gives no number of degrees, only "degree II scoliosis".
• It does not say whether the curvature is fixed.
• Nothing at all is written about vertebral rotation.
• The image was taken lying down rather than under load.
• Co-existing osteochondrosis (M42.1) is listed separately but without the signs the article requires.
• Back pain is voiced at the appointment but never reaches the chart — while the regulation demands repeated documented visits.
• There is an MRI report, but the board needs a radiograph with a measured angle; how the two differ in purpose is covered in the piece on reading an MRI report.

Questions for your doctor

• What is the curvature angle in degrees on my latest image?
• Is the curvature fixed or not?
• Is there vertebral rotation, and is it stated in the report?
• By what percentage is my range of movement restricted?
• How many documented visits for back pain do I have?

Scoliosis at departmental boards

The above concerns assessment under Government Decree No. 565. The Interior Ministry, National Guard, Federal Security Service and Emergencies Ministry use their own schedules of diseases, with different spinal thresholds. A review under article 66 shows how complete your records are but is not their regulation.

The short version

Three things decide with scoliosis: the angle in degrees, fixation with rotation, and functional impairment. Degree I and non-fixed curvatures give B-3; the 11–17° corridor without impairment gives B-4; everything else in degrees II and III gives category V; degree IV gives D. The key document is therefore not the diagnosis but a radiograph with a precisely measured angle and an honest report. Only the military medical board determines the fitness category.