To receive an extraschedular disability rating, you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50% maximum. For example, if you have a service-connected knee condition that causes you to favor one side when you walk, you may develop an altered gait. Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. 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 particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. The term degenerative disc disease is used to describe spinal disc changes that occur over time as one ages. individual unemployability . Also Check: Can You Get Disability For Diabetes. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. 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. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain Criteria VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! 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. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. . I have a 20% rating for arthritis in my back, but can I get more for degenerative disc disease? A medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease from your doctor; and. Your VA disability rating for back injury or spine injury will depend on which code the condition falls under. If you do not attend, your claim will likely be denied. Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. Va Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease Military service can place an incredible amount of stress on the body. The VA examiner will usually ask questions during the exam to establish whether your condition is related to your military service. Physical therapy may help with muscle range of motion, while prescription medications may be used to alleviate pain. You may because back disorders are tricky. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. 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. Have you received a VA disability claim denial? 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. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. 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. 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 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. Include. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. One of these is you need to be able to prove your degenerative disc disease will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. The practitioner will assess how far you can bend and flex your joints during the range of motion C& P exam. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. The remaining 70% do not receive a disability rating. Instead, many Veterans start to deal with more severe symptoms of DDD years after they have retired from the military. 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. 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. Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. 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! If a veterans lower back pain prevents them from securing and keeping substantially gainful employment they may be eligible for TDIU benefits paid at a 100 percent disability rate. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. There is no doubt that DDD can be a serious and debilitating condition, and you must seek proper care. 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). Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Youll also see the termUnfavorable Ankylosis,which is a condition in which the entire cervical spine, the entire thoracolumbar spine, or the entire spine is fixed in flexion or extension, and the ankylosis results in one or more of the following: VA disability ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease also depend upon Functional Loss, which means impairment of spine function as determined by range of motion as reported in the physical examination and additional loss of range of motion after repetitive use caused by the following factors: VA disability of the musculoskeletal system is primarily the inability, due to damage or infection in parts of the system, to perform the normal working movements of the body with normal excursion, strength, speed, coordination and endurance. Lay evidence that you had the condition while in service. The process to receive approval for these benefits is often tedious and frustrating. If you cant move at all without discomfort or pain, make sure to let the examiner know that. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. In this situation, a VA RO will contact you to schedule the exam. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. The SSA gets many applications for disability based on degenerative disc disease, and most of them get denied unless other physical or mental problems are present as well. You should exercise on a regular basis if you have this pain. The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. (1) Limitation of Range of Motion and (2) Pain are the two most common factors that determine your final VA rating for back conditions such as Degenerative Disc Disease. These ratings will be based on evidence from medical professionals, a VA claim exam, and information collected from other sources including federal agencies. This happens when the soft, inner part of the disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also known as IVDS) is a back condition involving the intervertebral disc or disc fragments. Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family history of spine problems, or spine injury. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. Our attorneys can help you answer this question and more. The middle and upper back area is your thoracic spine andthe lower back area is your lumbar spine. In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. If this is the case, contact us. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! In addition, numerous research studies have shown a link between Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy; there is a strong bidirectional relationship where each disorder adversely influences the other one. 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. If you are unable to work due to Degenerative Disc Disease, you should speak with your caseworker about TDIU benefits. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. Common orthopedic conditions impacting veterans include neck pain and low back pain. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . These codes guide the VA on how to rate your disability at a certain percentage level based on specific symptoms. The formula that VA uses to rate back disabilities with a diagnosis code between 5235 and 5242is the same. The VA could assign you a herniated disc disability rating from 10% to 100%. Schedule a Free Consultation. Smoke from military burn pits have had both short- and long-term health effects on those exposed. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. 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.. Just fill out the form and we. To get TDIU, you may prove why your service-connected condition prevents you from working. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as Agent Orange) during military service and died as the result of service-connected conditions may also be eligible for VA survivors benefits. 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. This condition refers to back or neck pain caused by the general breakdown of spinal discs. 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). However, you may wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. The people serving in our military work hard. We have helped thousands of clients nationwide fight for the disability benefits they deserve. You May Like: What Is Long Term Disability Insurance. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. 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. 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. Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. He or she will gather evidence that proves the VA came to the wrong conclusion. 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. Slouching and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of degeneration of the discs in the discs. #1. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. Whether from the physical rigors of combat, from the psychosomatic effects of stress and anxiety on the body, or from other factors, many soldiers can leave their time in the military with a wide range of physical problems. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. Military service puts a lot of stress on your body. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. Knowing how VA ratings for degenerative disc di. 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. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. We recommend using our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Call today! The spine can affect every other part of your body. 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. 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. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. 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.