Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. Our attorneys can help you answer this question and more. Citation Nr: 18160441 Decision Date: 12/26/18 Archive Date: 12/26/18 DOCKET NO. Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. However, many Veterans struggle to get degenerative disc disease VA disability compensation.. These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. In some cases, herniated discs can make it difficult or even impossible to work. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. However, you may experience some numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. 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. VA disability spine ratings question : r/Veterans - reddit In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. The process to receive approval for these benefits is often tedious and frustrating. We help disabled veterans nationwide. Periods of severe pain that come and go. Diagnostic codes 5235 through 5243 of 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System are dedicated to back and neck pain. You may also qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. Check out our Google reviews. 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. 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. Approximately 30% of American adults experience back pain at some point. If you have recently filed a DDD claim or are considering one, the team at Hill can assist you. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 5.4k views Answered >2 years ago. The VA rates a secondary condition separately. during military service and died as the result of service-connected conditions may also be eligible for VA survivors benefits. 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. 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. Amputations: Lower Extremity Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent . Some injuries to the spine might cause weakness in areas such as the arms, shoulders, or hips. They can range from dull nagging pain to severe disabling (sharp or throbbing) pain. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and application for changes in benefits If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. VA Claims Insider Testimonial: Elite Success Story Dons been through a lot. Degenerative Disc: Degenerative disc disease typically does not cause a permanent disability. It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix it. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. When a nerve root is compressed, it becomes inflamed. Asthma is not a curable condition, but its symptoms can be controlled. When a spinal disc wears down over time, it causes back pain. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be required to relieve pressure on the disc. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as. To qualify for service-connected compensation for allergic rhinitis, veterans must prove that their condition was caused by or aggravated by their time spent in service. 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. The VA uses two different Diagnostic Codes to rate herniated discs: As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. 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. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateralinvolvement when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor. Usually this happens when a veteran experiences symptoms or limitations that are not considered by the rating schedule. However, the path to getting these benefits is often filled with obstacles. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Degenerative disc disease is a common disability among Veterans. Because the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine talk about flexion, which is the act of flexing or bending. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Degenerative disc disease - Veterans Benefits Network Rhinitis also is present with the common cold, which is a temporary condition, so make sure to empahsize allergic rhinitis. Many veterans with degenerative disc disease have been forced to live on the floor. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. However, more commonly, veterans are able to achieve a 100% rating through a combination of back and neck injury ratings and other conditions. Just fill out the form and we. 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. The VA may attempt to deny your claim by saying there is no way to determine your condition is due to time spent in service. 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 sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting thespine to the pelvis. Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. To qualify for TDIU, you must show that your condition prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. 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. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to evaluate back conditions like osteoarthritis. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. 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. Cervical Spine Conditions - Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines Many veterans experience chronic or worsening pain after they leave active duty. Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. If youre trying to increase your VA disability rating for Degenerative Disc Disease, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant a higher rating by law. individual unemployability . This uneven shift in weight may then contribute to complications in your lower back. These include aging, injury, and genetics. As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. Evaluate intervertebral disc syndrome (preoperatively or postoperatively) either under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or under the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes, whichever method results in the higher evaluation when all disabilities are combined under 4.25. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Find Out How To Qualify for Disability with Degenerative Disc Disease 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. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. 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. For veterans, the average rating ranges from 10% to 20%. 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. 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 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. The inflammatory proteins within the disc space can contribute to the progression of disc degeneration over time. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. How can a veteran get a 100% VA rating for back pain? If your doctor won't write an opinion, make the argument yourself on VA Form 21-4138, including applicable CFR regulations, and submit it with the VA 21-526EZ disability claims form. 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. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. Neck conditions typically affect the cervical spine, which consists of seven bones that are separated by intervertebral discs. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. March 23, 2019 Updated: June 21, 2022 What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. An attorney can help you find the evidence you need to make your argument. Secondary Service Connection for Herniated Discs The maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease VA compensation is 20 percent without any additional . 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. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. These codes guide the VA on how to rate your disability at a certain percentage level based on specific symptoms. The Spine Institute of Nevada can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need for back pain. 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. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service 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. This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathyin more detail. Schedule a Free Consultation. As a result of DDD, some people can manage their pain in a variety of ways. 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. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain | The Tuley Law Office For example, a Veteran with mild degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while a Veteran with severe degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 100 percent disability rating. For example, the VA compensation exam for lower back pain might include a disability benefits questionnaire . However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. You're not alone. This can put pressure on the nerves around the disc and cause pain. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. VA often denies service connection for degenerative disc disease based on an examiners finding that a veterans condition is due to normal wear and tear and the natural progression of aging rather than their time in service. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. Be 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. The practitioner will assess how far you can bend and flex your joints during the range of motion C& P exam. Service Connection Consult with our nationally recognized law firm to receive assistance. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. He or she will gather evidence that proves the VA came to the wrong conclusion. Social Security Medical Evaluations In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. 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 Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that refers to the breakdown of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine. Physical therapy may help with muscle range of motion, while prescription medications may be used to alleviate pain. 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.