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. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. VA Disability Ratings for Scoliosis Explained | CCK Law Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. If a veteran can prove that their service-connected spinal condition was the primary cause of the secondary condition, they may qualify as having a secondary service-connection condition. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. Review your medical records with a doctor familiar with VA law to get the best rating. 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. Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis include: Veterans may develop this condition as a result of their active-duty military service, and they may be entitled to VA disability benefits. VA Unemployability Explained What is TDIU? Ill also reveal 3 new insider tips to increase your VA Rating for Degenerate Disc Disease, even if youve already filed or been denied. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. Disabilities of the Spine - Veterans Appeals What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? Your symptoms can also get progressively worse over time. In this post, we will be exploring how to get aVA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. 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 Like: New York State Short Term Disability. VA Disability Ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) | CCK Law (2022) Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. This can be submitted via mail to the Evidence Intake Center or electronically throughVAs website. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis However, you may experience some numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. We are an online blog dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information about orthopedics and injury prevention. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? confirm with the actual CFR for VA disability ratings but this one has seemed to be very accurate with it. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. In many cases, Veterans with DDD are denied benefits or given low disability ratings. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (2022) - otarbo.com Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life. Degenerative disc disease is classified as a Musculoskeletal disorder by the VA. Depending on the number of joints affected, VA rates degenerative disc disease between 10% and 20%. How can a veteran get a 100% VA rating for back pain? According to the VA disability rating formula, it is usually 20 percent for someone suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip due to severe pain. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. Under 38 CFR 4.71a, VA generally rates low back conditions as follows: " 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine 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. They can range from dull nagging pain to severe disabling (sharp or throbbing) pain. Common orthopedic conditions impacting veterans include neck pain and low back pain. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. Amputations: Lower Extremity Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. We have helped thousands of clients nationwide fight for the disability benefits they deserve. An attorney can help you find the evidence you need to make your argument. You may also qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Periods of severe pain that come and go. Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. Make sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. This is where a VA-approved medical professional will perform a comprehensive physical and verbal examination then write their opinion on your condition. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? Asthma is not a curable condition, but its symptoms can be controlled. The patient will be able to live a pain-free life without any limitations if a qualified healthcare provider manages their pain. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. Can I Get Disability With Degenerative Disc Disease 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. All Rights Reserved. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones,fused together to form the Coccyx . 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 are unable to work due to Degenerative Disc Disease, you should speak with your caseworker about TDIU benefits. Despite the challenges that arise, people with DDD can still lead full, productive lives. 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 tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. 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.. Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. Usually, it's experienced in the back or neck. It can be difficult for veterans to satisfy this rating criteria because modern medical practices no longer call for bed rest to treat IVDS. 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). 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). Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? 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. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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 common secondary condition to spinal conditions is also nerve damage or issues. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Other neck conditions have maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent or lower. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Have you received a VA disability claim denial? A medical nexus linking the primary condition to the secondary DDD. The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veterans mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Just fill out the form and we. 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. I have radiculopathy for spinal fusion, can I get benefits for degenerative disc disease too? If you cant move at all without discomfort or pain, make sure to let the examiner know that. 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! To file for secondary service connection, you will need: Importantly, you do not have to file for secondary conditions at the same time as filing for primary 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. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. These cookies do not store any personal information. This allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. 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. 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. Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease and Disability Benefits - brrlaw 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. There are a few different secondary conditions that can arise from degenerative disc disease. If your degenerative disc disease develops over time, you can file a claim for secondary service connection when necessary. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. A few of the risk factors for Degenerative Disc Disease include your age, prior back injuries, car accidents, being overweight or obese, a sedentary lifestyle, or other forms of bodily trauma. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. 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. A little used part of the musculoskeletal system may be expected to show evidence of disuse, either through atrophy, the condition of the skin, absence of normal callosity or the like. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. 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. 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. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. What is Retrolisthesis and Can I Qualify for Disability Benefits? There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Chat with Us. Make Today The Last Day You Worry About Your Disability Claim. What Conditions Qualify for Disability Benefits? The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is typically found in the lower back or neck.