The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. The VA rates a secondary condition separately. Degenerative Disc Disease is a spinal disorder most often rated underCFR Title 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diagnostic Code 5242, Degenerative Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease Other Than Intervertebral Disc Syndrome. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Do You Deserve a Higher VA Disability Rating? Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. The people serving in our military work hard. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. Contact us to take advantage of our free consultation. Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). There is no doubt that wear and tear on the body, as well as the wear and tear on vehicles and on hills due to carrying the worlds lightest kit, can all contribute to Dizziness. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! What is the Degenerative Disc Disease VA Rating? This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. In fact, physicians have often held that such long durations of bedrest can actually do more harm for disabilities of the spine than they can help. Which it turns out are more than just one item. If you are already a veteran, you can submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim. 2023 Brandon Orthopedics | All Right Reserved, The Truth About Spinal Stenosis: Causes Symptoms And Treatments, Can Years Of Surfing Contribute To Spinal Stenosis, The Effects Of Spinal Stenosis And Carpal Tunnel, Should I Apply Ice Or Heat To A Compression Fracture, How Does A Soft Bed Prevent Healing Of Herniated Disc, Herniated Discs: How To Sleep Without Worrying About Rupturing Your Discs, If You Have A Herniated Disc You Know The Excruciating Pain It Can Cause. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. This condition necessitates that people avoid activities that are too heavy, such as running, jumping, and lifting heavy objects. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. It is important to learn more about this condition and the process of recovering VA disability benefits. Depending on the number of joints affected, VA rates degenerative disc disease between 10% and 20%. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. According to the VA disability rating formula, it is usually 20 percent for someone suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip due to severe pain. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Just fill out the form and we. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. Though the practice was effective in reducing large quantities of waste, the burn pits emitted large plumes of toxic smoke which was later found to cause many adverse health effects. Neck conditions typically affect the cervical spine, which consists of seven bones that are separated by intervertebral discs. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix it. The VA may attempt to deny your claim by saying there is no way to determine your condition is due to time spent in service. Additionally, the rating criteria does not take other symptoms or daily limitations into account, such as difficulty sitting, standing, lifting, or bending. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. With any form of arthritis, painful motion is an important factor of disability, the facial expression, wincing, etc., on pressure or manipulation, should be carefully noted and definitely related to affected joints. Many Veterans may not even realize that their degenerative disc disease is service-related. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. The painful motion principle means that regardless of range of motion, if pain is present, the claimant should at least be awarded the minimum level of disability for that condition. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. Evaluate intervertebral disc syndrome (preoperatively or postoperatively) either under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or under the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes, whichever method results in the higher evaluation when all disabilities are combined under 4.25. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. DDD can also cause radiculopathy, herniation discs, neurological impairments, and spinal stenosis, in addition to other conditions. You must be able to demonstrate the severity of your disability in order to receive the proper disability rating. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Dont give up. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. Check out our Google reviews. Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. Specifically, exposure to the toxins released can affect a persons lung health. The Disability Application Process VA 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System, contact the VA Accredited Attorneys at VetLaw, Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim, Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. Any limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) should be measured with a Goniometer by the medical professional at your VA C&P Exam for Back Pain. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. According to VA, if degenerative arthritis is established by X-ray findings, the veterans condition will be rated based on limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved. ClickHEREto Join the #1 Rated VA Claims Insider Elite Program and Start Today for FREE. 1115 ) Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. Can I Get Disability With Degenerative Disc Disease And, youll get to work with a Veteran Coach (VC) who will lead you to VA claim success. VA Unemployability Explained What is TDIU? For example, DDD can lead to other conditions among veterans, such as: You can file a disability claim for any secondary symptoms or conditions caused by your service-connected degenerative disc disease. If you are unable to work due to Degenerative Disc Disease, you should speak with your caseworker about TDIU benefits. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. TDIU, or total disability based on individual unemployability, occurs when a veteran is unable to work as a direct result of their service-connected disability or condition. Importantly, limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. Though the practice was effective in reducing large quantities of waste, the burn pits emitted large clouds of toxic smoke which was later proven to cause many adverse health conditions. The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide by Berry Law is an important source. There is no cure for degenerative disc disease, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. This results in numerous unpleasant and painful symptoms in veterans that may include: Your specific symptoms will depend on where in the spine the nerve root is pinched. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! If you cant move at all without discomfort or pain, make sure to let the examiner know that. Slouching and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of degeneration of the discs in the discs. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. Sciatic neuritis is not uncommonly caused by arthritis of the spine. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Because DDD often does not appear noticeably during a soldiers time in the military, it can be difficult to recognize the condition in its early stages. Radiculopathy can have many different signs and symptoms aswell as different names depending on where in the spine it occurs. We recommend using our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be required to relieve pressure on the disc. For instance, which pages you go to most. The middle and upper back area is your thoracic spine andthe lower back area is your lumbar spine. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. Chat with Us. The VA rates degenerative disc disease by assigning a disability rating based on how the condition is impacting the Veterans ability to function. So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. It can be difficult for veterans to satisfy this rating criteria because modern medical practices no longer call for bed rest to treat IVDS. Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. Finally, in the absence of limitation of motion, a veterans degenerative disc disease VA rating will be as follows: When assigning a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, VA must consider both anatomical damage and functional loss. Call today! Diagnostic codes 5235 through 5243 of 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System are dedicated to back and neck pain. A veteran must show that the case presents such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with such related factors as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization that make it impractical for VA to assign a schedular rating. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. You can file a claim with CCK today at 800-544-9400 if you claim for benefits after being denied by the VA or the DWD. In this post, we will be exploring how to get aVA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. Military service puts a lot of stress on your body. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. If you filed a claim for DDD and VA denied you benefits, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you appeal the unfavorable decision. A nexus is the direct link between a disability, either physical or psychological, that a Veteran suffers from and their time in the military. There are several factors that can lead to a service-connected disability, including the physical strain and stress that many soldiers endure on a daily basis while they are on active duty. Muscle atrophy must also be accurately measured and reported. Pain in the low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), or neck (cervical), depending on where the affected disc is, possibly even radiating to the legs, arms, and hands (Radiculopathy). The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veteran's mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. Thinner and weaker discs often lead to back pain, muscle weakness, and pinched nerves. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. You may be eligible for a secondary service connection if your degeneration of your disc progresses over time. The Essentials on VA Disability Ratings for Bulging Disc Eric Gang, ESQ Back pain is a common problem for veterans.

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