The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits - YouTube Target Leave And Disability Reedgroup Com, Jailbreak Disabled Iphone Without Losing Data, What Happens If You Become Disabled While On Social Security, Complete the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or lost, Official records of a herniated disc during active duty, Medical evidence from private doctors linking the current diagnosis to an in-service injury, disease, or event that has been at least as likely as not caused the current condition. The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is typically found in the lower back or neck. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for a chronic sinusitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. The formula that VA uses to rate back disabilities with a diagnosis code between 5235 and 5242is the same. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. Veteran disability ratings for degenerative disc disease are typically between 10% and 20% of the VA's disability rate. The people serving in our military work hard. Degenerative disc disease may also qualify as a secondary service-connected disability or one that developed as a result of a service-connected injury. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. The guidelines also state that if a patient requires bed rest, the physician should encourage them to return to their normal activities as soon as possible. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. Military burn pits are large areas of land that were used by the United States military to incinerate waste in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan in the post-9/11 era. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates, on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. If you have a disc problem, you may require surgery to replace it or to fusion your vertebrae. Medical professionals call this 'radicular pain.' As is evident from the rating schedules below, the highest possible schedular rating for any single neck impairment is 60 percent for veterans with severe intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. 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. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. He is the founder and main author of brandonorthopedics.com, a website that offers valuable resources, tips, and advice for patients looking to learn more about orthopedic treatments and physiotherapy. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. Veterans with DDD are often denied benefits or given low disability ratings because an examiner dismisses the disease as the result of the normal wear and tear of aging. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. Many toxins from these burn pits were released into the air, including volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, dioxins, and furans. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. In most cases, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, combined with the limitations on range of motion, to issue a disability rating. Others develop a more serious condition DDD , which is a lifelong condition that has the potential to cause significant disability. One of the rated conditions I left the Army with was "Degenerative Disc Disease" at 10%. What Conditions Qualify for Disability Benefits? Approximately 30% of American adults experience back pain at some point. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). This can put pressure on the nerves around the disc and cause pain. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. An examination by VA must confirm the limitations of motion in the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion. 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. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Check out our Google reviews. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? Extraschedular ratings are assigned when the rating criteria does not accurately reflect a veterans level of disability. You must be open, honest, and truthful at your C&P exam for Degenerative Disc Disease, and make sure toSTOPthe C&P examiner as soon as you feel any discomfort or pain. As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. List of Common Veterans Administration Abbreviations, CIGNA / New York Life Disability Insurance, Disability and Life Insurance Claims FAQs, VA Service Connected Disability Claims FAQ, Life Insurance and Accidental Dismemberment FAQs, process of recovering VA disability benefits, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, The VA TDIU Approval Rate and Claim Appeal Options. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! You must be able to demonstrate the severity of your disability in order to receive the proper disability rating. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. You should consult with your doctor if you are experiencing back pain to find out what is causing it and how it is affecting you. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! One of the most common is for herniated discs to develop.
In some cases, herniated discs can make it difficult or even impossible to work. Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you.
Social Security Disability Benefits for Degenerative Disc Disease - Nolo A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. However, you may experience some numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. ELITE Success: Its Never Too Late to Get Correctly Rated, How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions. It states that your degenerative disc disorder needs to have caused a compromised nerve root of the spinal cord or you need to provide proof that the root compression causes spinal pain, restricted spinal movement, a reduction in motor function and muscle weakness including loss of reflexes and touch. Orthopedic conditions are typically categorized as those that impact the musculoskeletal system. If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease and you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. The treatment for degenerative disc disease is available in a variety of ways, and the decision is based on the individuals and the severity of the problem. Degenerative arthritis of the spine (DC 5003) The last common method of establishing a rating for a back disability is through the VA's diagnostic code for degenerative arthritis.