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. How Long Does It Take to Get Your VA Disability Rating? All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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 Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. Just fill out the form and we 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. The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. Your VA disability rating for back injury or spine injury will depend on which code the condition falls under. individual unemployability . It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. If you developed degenerative disc disease as a result of military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. 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. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. One of the most common symptoms of degeneration of the disks is back pain. This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. You will need to provide medical evidence that your retrolisthesis meets the SSA's definition of severe and will . Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. For a free case evaluation, call CCK today at 800-544-9144. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? A nexus is the direct link between a disability, either physical or psychological, that a Veteran suffers from and their time in the military. While the ROM test is the primary factor in determining VA ratings for back and spine conditions, there are also other portions included in the C& P exams. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. If the disability criteria do not accurately reflect your disability level, you may be assigned an extraschedular rating. 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. 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. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Consult with our nationally recognized law firm to receive assistance. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. 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. For degenerative disc disease, a Veterans Disability rating of 10% to 20% is typically assigned by the VA. An all-timer rating of 100 percent must be obtained before the VA will declare a veteran incapable of working. DDD can also cause radiculopathy, herniation discs, neurological impairments, and spinal stenosis, in addition to other conditions. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. 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. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. 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. There are different levels of pain associated with degenerative disc disease. Veterans who are believed to have more severe symptoms have received higher ratings from the VA in the past. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. Call today! It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. 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). Get to know us through our videos. Fighting insurance companies and the VA is what we do 24/7. Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. Sometimes degenerative disc disease is accompanied by varying levels of pain. It has been demonstrated that persistent disc disease can lead to a variety of health problems over time. In this situation, a VA RO will contact you to schedule the exam. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. You may also qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? It is a common VA disability claim for disability caused by a disabling disc disease. It is frequently caused by things like incorrectly lifting heavy objects, as well as chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. How can a veteran get a 100% VA rating for back pain? These include aging, injury, and genetics. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. Feeling better by changing positions often or lying down. Veterans who struggle with mobility or chronic pain may be unable to find work. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. Your symptoms can also get progressively worse over time. It is important to learn more about this condition and the process of recovering VA disability benefits. When a herniation of the disc occurs as a result of degeneration, it is the most common surgical treatment for this condition. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? If so, then you deserve to recover VA disability benefits. These can last from a few days to a few months before getting better. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. When a spinal disc wears down over time, it causes back pain. Are you a veteran suffering from degenerative disc disease? Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children, Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu, Make sure to click the link to sign up for updates. These cases are classified as higher in severity. 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. 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. Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. The VA often describes this connection as a nexus. SSA will consider disability claims for degenerative disc disease that are supported by medical evidence such as: Physical examination for type and location of pain, range of motion, nerve function, sensation, and muscle strength, with a full review of the entirety of symptoms Diagnostic imaging tests (such as MRI, CT scans, and x-rays) Contact us to take advantage of our free consultation. Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. 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. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. Do you wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. 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. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. The VA rates a secondary condition separately. 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. When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. They may allege that your condition is due to the natural progression of aging. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. When the discs degenerate or break down, they can no longer perform their function properly. A spinal fusion procedure is usually performed in order to relieve pain and allow the spine to heal. Usually, it's experienced in the back or neck. Chat with Us. 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. 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. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should befor the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. There is no doubt that DDD can be a serious and debilitating condition, and you must seek proper care. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. 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. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? 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. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Accurate Measurement of Limitation of Range of Motion. Muscle spasm will greatly assist the identification. Furthermore, Depression is one of the most common comorbidities in veterans with chronic low back pain. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. Our attorneys can help you answer this question and more. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. 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. 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. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. For some, asthma may be a minor nuisance. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. Chronic sinusitis occurs when youir sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. 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 rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as diagnostic code 5003, which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. The term incomplete paralysis, with this and otherperipheral nerve injuries, indicates a degree of lost or impaired functionsubstantially less than the type picture for complete paralysis given with eachnerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partialregeneration. The spine can affect every other part of your body. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. 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. If you have degenerative disc disease as a service-connected condition, you must be able to prove that you have received VA disability benefits. You may be eligible for a secondary service connection if your degeneration of your disc progresses over time. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. Degenerative disc disease is also referred to as osteoarthritis of the spine. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. The VA uses two different Diagnostic Codes to rate herniated discs: Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! To receive an extraschedular disability rating, you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50% maximum. We are an online blog dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information about orthopedics and injury prevention. Other neck conditions have maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent or lower. 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. In this case, if the Veteran develops DJD in any other joint in the future, that joint is automatically subject to service connection. 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. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent . 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. 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. Hes battled medical issues for years, and the Air Force veteran was pretty sure he was underrated by the How to Service-Connect Your Orthopedic Disabilities If youre a veteran dealing with pain from an orthopedic condition, youre not alone. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. A common secondary condition to spinal conditions is also nerve damage or issues. 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. Many Vets have developed serious asthma even chronic asthma because of exposure to harmful burn pit pollutants. The spine consists of four primary regions from yourneck down to your buttocks and pelvic area . Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease and you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. In 20% of cases, the condition causes spinal stenosis, but 80% do not. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. Where there are additional disabilities rated 50% or 100%, or anatomical or loss of use of a third extremity see 38 CFR 3.350 (f) (3), (4) or (5). 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. 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. For instance, which pages you go to most. What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65, Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. 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. All Rights Reserved. In grade 1, the nucleus and nave are clearly distinguished; in grade 2, there is no horizontal band; and in grade 3, there is blurring between the nucleus and nave; in grade 4, the nucleus and nave are clearly distinguished; and. We recommend using our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Code O-2 ( 38 CFR 3.350 (e) (2)). Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. 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. Call Us. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Smoke from military burn pits have had both short- and long-term health effects on those exposed. You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. 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. Thinner and weaker discs often lead to back pain, muscle weakness, and pinched nerves. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. 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. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones,fused together to form the Coccyx . Determining Your Degenerative Disc Disease Disability Rating. An individuals eligibility for DDD benefits can be determined by a number of factors. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. Persistent and recurring symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease (Severity of Symptoms), Difficulty walking because of a limited line of vision, Restricted opening of the mouth and chewing, Breathing limited to diaphragmatic respiration, Gastrointestinal symptoms due to pressure of the coastal margin on the abdomen, Alantoaxial or cervical subluxation or dislocation, Neurologic symptoms due to nerve root stretching, Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Business. Degenerative disc disease symptoms vary depending on the person. 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). The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide by Berry Law is an important source. 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. Physical therapy may help with muscle range of motion, while prescription medications may be used to alleviate pain. The VA rates degenerative disc disease by assigning a disability rating based on how the condition is impacting the Veterans ability to function. 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. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It This condition necessitates that people avoid activities that are too heavy, such as running, jumping, and lifting heavy objects. Service Connection The VA examiner will usually ask questions during the exam to establish whether your condition is related to your military service. However, if the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved isnoncompensable(i.e., 0 percent disabling) under the appropriate diagnostic codes, a rating of 10 percent will be applied for each major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion.

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