; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Eczema-type symptoms (e.g., dry, itchy skin), An in-service event, injury, or illness; and. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. ClickHEREto Join the #1 Rated VA Claims Insider Elite Program and Start Today for FREE. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. Also Check: Can You Get Disability For Diabetes. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. This can be submitted via mail to the Evidence Intake Center or electronically throughVAs website. Muscle atrophy must also be accurately measured and reported. Because the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine talk about flexion, which is the act of flexing or bending. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. Schedule a Free Consultation. Radiculopathy can have many different signs and symptoms aswell as different names depending on where in the spine it occurs. 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. Include. Can I Get Disability With Degenerative Disc Disease However, individuals with degenerative disc disease may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if their condition prevents them from being able to work. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. The percentage of arthritis of the back will be based on the number of joints/joint groups affected and the extent of incapacitation, with 10 being the most common. Our team of experts, doctors, and orthopedic specialists are here to share their knowledge and experience with you in order to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate.Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family. I've had a lot of issues that led to seeking civilian treatment, and that has finally culminated in more concrete diagnosis of my spinal issues. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. Back thoracolumbar spine conditions can have a significant effect on an individuals life, a DBQ allows the veteran to go into detail about how the condition has impacted their life. Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. Call Us. The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veterans mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. Just fill out the form and we. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. Your symptoms can also get progressively worse over time. 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. This is where a VA-approved medical professional will perform a comprehensive physical and verbal examination then write their opinion on your condition. In this post, we will be exploring how to get aVA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive 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. 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. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. Secondary Service Connection for Herniated Discs The maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease VA compensation is 20 percent without any additional . Lay evidence that you had the condition while in service. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. hay fever). The effects of DDD can be severe on a disabled Veterans family and finances. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. 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. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. He or she will gather evidence that proves the VA came to the wrong conclusion. The middle and upper back area is your thoracic spine andthe lower back area is your lumbar spine. The joints involved should be tested for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing and, if possible, with the range of the opposite undamaged joint. Waste materials commonly disposed of in these burn pits include: Many veterans who were exposed to burn pits during their service and developed asthma may be able to seek service connection under this new presumption condition related to burn pit exposure. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Though back and neck conditions both stem from the spine in most instances, VA rates them as separate disabilities. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. 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. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. Thinner and weaker discs often lead to back pain, muscle weakness, and pinched nerves. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. Additionally, the rating criteria does not take other symptoms or daily limitations into account, such as difficulty sitting, standing, lifting, or bending. Therefore, VA must determine if the veteran is eligible for a rating higher than the ones set forth by the rating schedule. Orthopedic conditions are typically categorized as those that impact the musculoskeletal system. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Your Degenerative Disc Disease was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service OR by another service connected disability for secondary service connection (Nexus for service connection), #3. 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. Chronic sinusitis occurs when youir sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. 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. Determining Your Degenerative Disc Disease Disability Rating. Instead, many Veterans start to deal with more severe symptoms of DDD years after they have retired from the military. For veterans, the average rating ranges from 10% to 20%. Amputations: Lower Extremity As the spine wears and tears, the disc degenerates. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. VA rates degenerative disc disease under38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, diagnostic code 5242. As a result of DDD, some people can manage their pain in a variety of ways. For retrolisthesis to be a disability, you will need to meet a Blue Book listing, demonstrating your retrolisthesis is severe enough to qualify for disability benefits. This evidence will show that you are suffering from degenerative disc disease due to conditions on the job. 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%. An attorney can help you find the evidence you need to make your argument. The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. Check out our Google reviews. In 20% of cases, the condition causes spinal stenosis, but 80% do not. Just fill out the form and we 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. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. Diagnostic codes 5235 through 5243 of 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System are dedicated to back and neck pain. A spinal fusion procedure is usually performed in order to relieve pain and allow the spine to heal. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. The practitioner will assess how far you can bend and flex your joints during the range of motion C& P exam. 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. Other neck conditions have maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent or lower. 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. This 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, will be assigned once only to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating. Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) considers the diagnosis of Cervical Facet Syndrome to be synonymous with the diagnosis of Osteoarthritis of the Cervical Spine. If you are no longer able to work because you have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease , you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits provided by the Social Security Administration if you have paid sufficient Social Security taxes which has allowed you to accrue sufficient social security credits. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. 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. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. Which it turns out are more than just one item. 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. Degenerative Disc: Degenerative disc disease typically does not cause a permanent disability. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? March 23, 2019 Updated: June 21, 2022 What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life. Your final VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms, including Painful Motion, Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM), and Functional Loss or Impairment. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It If you are suffering from the effects of cervical degenerative disc disease you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. 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. To get TDIU, you may prove why your service-connected condition prevents you from working. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. The final determination on whether an extraschedular rating is warranted must be made by the VA Undersecretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Service. Call today! However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65, Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones,fused together to form the Coccyx . 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 VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. The limitation of range of motion principle is arguably the most important principle that applies to VA disability ratings for back pain and Degenerative Disc Disease. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. This means that 30% of veterans who are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease receive a disability rating from the VA. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. 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. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. 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. If you are diagnosed with the DDD it will be added to your C&P and can play a part in your rating but keep in mind the ROM-range of motion becomes a big factor in ratings of the spine. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. 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. After the exam, the VA examiner will issue an opinion deciding if your DDD is at least as likely as not connected to your service. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. It is important to learn more about this condition and the process of recovering VA disability benefits. Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. 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. 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. Diagnosing and treating degeneration disc disease as soon as possible is critical to its early resolution. If you have been diagnosed with a condition caused by military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Depending on the number of joints affected, VA rates degenerative disc disease between 10% and 20%. Sometimes degenerative disc disease is accompanied by varying levels of pain. We can assist you in obtaining VA benefits, as well as in appealing any denials. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease and you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. You should exercise on a regular basis if you have this pain. You may also qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. The doctor must perform a goniometer test on you to determine your ability to move. The rating chart for thoracolumbar spinal pain is used for primary and secondary conditions to lower back pain. You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. The examiner will also often ask about the pain levels associated with your condition and what symptoms you experience. By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney. Just fill out the form and we 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. 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). By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. However, getting these benefits is often challenging. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). 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. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Generally, you need to be denied at least once before an attorney can assist, but once a lawyer is involved they will often be able to quickly determine what needs to be done in order to prove entitlement. VAs own clinical guidelines advise VA physicians to encourage patients with low back pain to remain active, and that remaining active is more effective than resting in bed for patients with low back pain. A medical nexus linking the primary condition to the secondary DDD. 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. 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. These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. If you have degenerative disc disease as a service-connected condition, you must be able to prove that you have received VA disability benefits. This allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. Veterans who struggle with mobility or chronic pain may be unable to find work. Importantly, limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. 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. It is particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. Also Check: This Device Is Disabled Code 22. To recover service-connected compensation disability benefits for degenerative disc disease, you must meet a certain threshold required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 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. 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. The degenerative process of the spinal disc can begin gradually or abruptly, but it can progress for up to three decades, during which time the spine is restabilized, and pain is reduced or eliminated. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. The VA will only grant benefits to veterans who have been diagnosed with an impairment as a result of their military service. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. you viewed to avoid repetition. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. In this situation, a VA RO will contact you to schedule the exam. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for an asthma condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the spine conditions that qualifies for disability benefits. Dont give up. 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. 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. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The speed and extent of deterioration are dependent on external factors. Some injuries to the spine might cause weakness in areas such as the arms, shoulders, or hips. Some waste materials commonly disposed of in these burn pits include: Many veterans who were exposed to burn pits during their service and developed chronic sinusitis may be able to seek service connection benefits under this new presumption. The people serving in our military work hard. The patient will be able to live a pain-free life without any limitations if a qualified healthcare provider manages their pain. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? The spine can affect every other part of your body. This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. Have you been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease? These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Walking or swimming is an appropriate form of exercise that is low-impact. These examples of functional impairment can limit a veterans daily activities, quality of life, and ability to work. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. For some, asthma may be a minor nuisance. Some veterans and active duty military members suffer from spinal or back pain after being discharged or while still serving. It is possible for migraines to develop as a result of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. In some cases, herniated discs can make it difficult or even impossible to work. Degenerative disc disease is known to be a condition that develops over time. If this is the case, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability . The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to evaluate back conditions like osteoarthritis. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease 10% to 100%, Common VA Secondary Conditions to Degenerative Disc Disease, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): VA Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease. However, there are other conditions you need to meet before you can submit an application for disability benefits. Most Common Back Conditions Veterans Experience & Their Ratings, VA Claims for Hip Pain Secondary to Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Most Common Back Pain VA Claims Among Veterans, 3 Common Back Conditions Veterans Experience, Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) for VA Disability, A current diagnosis of DDD by a medical professional; and. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. If you are disabled at home or at work, you can achieve a disability rating regardless of where you are stationed. It is the intention to recognize painful, unstable, or malaligned joints, due to healed injury, as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. DDD may cause pain to some extent, but obtaining disability benefits can be difficult. You May Like: Do Disabled Veterans Pay Federal Taxes. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. It mostly occurs in your lower back or neck. Bulging discs are rated based on the number of incapacitating episodes that have occurred due to the disability. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. The pain severity and frequency, as well as the individuals age and occupation, all play an important role in determining its severity. This article will only focus on the portion of that formula that relates to the thoracolumbar spine.