In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. We recommend using our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. This article will only focus on the portion of that formula that relates to the thoracolumbar spine. Many Veterans may not even realize that their degenerative disc disease is service-related. VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease Explained (The One of the most common is for herniated discs to develop. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. Yes, Degenerative Disc Disease is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100% depending upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease - Hill & Ponton, P.A. If you are unable to work because of a disability, you may be able to get a Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) deferment. A medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease from your doctor; and. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. Review your medical records with a doctor familiar with VA law to get the best rating. Doctors seldom check a patient's ability to stoop, bend, or crouch during an examination, and yet bending, stooping, and crouching are the three primary nonexertional limitations that disability examiners look for when they evaluate the RFC of applicants with degenerative disc disease. For example, lets say you have full range of motion for your Degenerative Disc Disease, but you have pain during movement, you should be awarded the minimum level of disability for the condition, which is 10%. 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. Veterans Serving Veterans To qualify for TDIU, you must show that your condition prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Check out our Google reviews. you viewed to avoid repetition. The strain of military service can lead to wear and tear on the spine, not to mention the risk of traumatic injuries in training or combat. With age or trauma, the intervertebral discs lose their water content, leaving the discs more prone to tearing or damage. Read More. 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). 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. If you are disabled at home or at work, you can achieve a disability rating regardless of where you are stationed. Systemic DJD occurs when the Veteran gets a diagnosis of DJD in service (or within one year after release from active duty) when there is no record or evidence of trauma to the joint. We have updated our Privacy Policy. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. Degenerative disc disease is known to be a condition that develops over time. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. 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. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. 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. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Call 512-454-4000 for Free Consultation. The result is that breathing through your nose can be difficult, and the area around your eyes (your sinus cavities) might feel swollen or tender. Keep in mind that that rating can be increased if there is a herniated disc or a bulging disc that causes a doctor to prescribe bed rest, specifically six weeks or more over a year's time period. Is Degenerative Disc Disease A Va Disability - Brandon Orthopedics confirm with the actual CFR for VA disability ratings but this one has seemed to be very accurate with it. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. This means that 30% of veterans who are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease receive a disability rating from the VA. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be required to relieve pressure on the disc. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for the allergic rhinitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. Sciatic neuritis is not uncommonly caused by arthritis of the spine. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. Since that requires you to show that you have no range of motion (i.e., you cannot move your back), it can be very difficult, and you have to show why your back condition severely limits you. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose, Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage), Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose, Pain, tenderness, and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead, Loss of smell and reduced ability to taste, Veterans who served in specified locations and time periods do not have to prove a connection between their sinusitis and service to be eligible for VA health care and disability compensation. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? If you have severed your DDD while in the military, you must demonstrate that it is a condition that has a direct relationship with your service. DDD may cause pain to some extent, but obtaining disability benefits can be difficult. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Approximately 30% of American adults experience back pain at some point. VA rates degenerative disc disease under38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, diagnostic code 5242. Since there is no certainty of what was burned at each military installation at a given time, the specific toxins released by the burn pits vary for every location. The VA rating for radiculopathy in the lower back will be based on symptoms felt in their lower limbs, such as feet, calves, or thighs. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. What Is The Average Va Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. VA Disability Ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) Degenerative disc disease is also referred to as osteoarthritis of the spine. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? They all go together, so make sure you work with an experienced lawyer to get ratings for all of them. In general, the ratings for spine conditions are based on range of motion. For veterans, the average rating ranges from 10% to 20%. If your degenerative disc disease develops over time, you can file a claim for secondary service connection when necessary. We have helped thousands of clients nationwide fight for the disability benefits they deserve. Amputations: Lower Extremity This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. Some examples of cervical conditions that are rated under this code include the following: Diagnostic Code 5237 Cervical Strain A torn tendon or muscle in the neck With IVDS, these discs may be displaced at the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic areas of the spine. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that refers to the breakdown of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine. 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. VA Disability Ratings for Scoliosis Explained | CCK Law Generally, some of the more common symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease include: To be eligible for a Degenerative Disc Disease VA rating, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law: If you think you have a back condition such as Degenerative Disc Disease, but dont have a medical diagnosis,pick-up the phone and call the VA mental health facility nearest youto make an appointment right away! An individuals eligibility for DDD benefits can be determined by a number of factors. 5001 Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive: Active 100 Inactive: See 4.88c and 4.89 5002 A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. In its earlier stages, it can be easy to assume that DDD symptoms are just everyday aches and pains that have no link to a Veteran's military service. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. VA disability claims evidence can be direct or circumstantial, and include: A positive VA disability rating for a a bulging disc or a herniated disc is based on the extent of your symptoms, how impaired your range of motion is, prevalence of incapacitating episodes, and how all of this impacts your daily life. These cases are classified as higher in severity. You must also provide evidence that shows a service connected disability to your military service. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. Consult with our nationally recognized law firm to receive assistance. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. 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. Do you wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? 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. As a result of DDD, some people can manage their pain in a variety of ways. To receive an extraschedular disability rating under 38 CFR 3.321(b)(1) for degenerative disc disease, the following requirements must be met: It is important to note that extraschedular disability ratings are granted on a case-by-case basis and are very specific to each situation. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times, such as when exercising, or you may have symptoms all of the time. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones,fused together to form the Coccyx . hay fever). Have you been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease? However, getting these benefits is often challenging. Code O-2 ( 38 CFR 3.350 (e) (2)). If you have a disc problem, you may require surgery to replace it or to fusion your vertebrae. Include. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. Usually, it's experienced in the back or neck. Dont give up. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. The functional loss may be due to absence of part, or all, of the necessary bones, joints and muscles, or associated structures, or to deformity, adhesions, defective innervation, or other pathology, or it may be due to pain, supported by adequate pathology and evidenced by the visible behavior of the claimant undertaking the motion. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. The rating criteria can often leave veterans with IVDS short-changed because it is based on the amount of bedrest prescribed by a doctor. during military service and died as the result of service-connected conditions may also be eligible for VA survivors benefits. However, you may wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. 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). FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive While the VA diagnostic code has a maximum rating of 50%, it is possible to get a greater rating if you can prove how your spinal condition limits your function and your life. Call Us. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. Getting a diagnosis as soon as possible, as well as having a pain management physician develop a treatment plan, are two of the most important steps to avoid complications. 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. You May Like: Do Disabled Veterans Pay Federal Taxes. It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease.
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