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We can assist you in obtaining VA benefits, as well as in appealing any denials. When a spinal disc wears down over time, it causes back pain. Many veterans experience chronic or worsening pain after they leave active duty. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? 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. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? You must be able to demonstrate the severity of your disability in order to receive the proper disability rating. Another secondary condition that can develop is spinal stenosis. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should befor the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. A veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. Degenerative Disc Disease, Back Pain & Social Security Disability For veterans, the average rating ranges from 10% to 20%. These include aging, injury, and genetics. Get to know us through our videos. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. How can a veteran get a 100% VA rating for back pain? Rhinitis also is present with the common cold, which is a temporary condition, so make sure to empahsize allergic rhinitis. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain (Cervicalgia), Cervical Spine Pain, & Neck Arthritis The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) views conditions of the spine through two main categoriesneck and back. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. The effects of DDD can be severe on a disabled Veterans family and finances. 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. 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. 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. 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. VA Disability Ratings for Scoliosis Explained | CCK Law With age or trauma, the intervertebral discs lose their water content, leaving the discs more prone to tearing or damage. It is possible for migraines to develop as a result of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. This article will only focus on the portion of that formula that relates to the thoracolumbar spine. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. You should exercise on a regular basis if you have this pain. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. To get TDIU, you may prove why your service-connected condition prevents you from working. 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. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. There is no maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as the condition is not considered to be a service-connected disability. Under 38 CFR 4.71a, VA generally rates low back conditions as follows: " 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine It is a common VA disability claim for disability caused by a disabling disc disease. 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. If degenerative arthritis is established by X-ray and is accompanied by satisfactory evidence of painful motion, it will be rated no less than 10-percent. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also known as IVDS) is a back condition involving the intervertebral disc or disc fragments. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose, Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drainage), Nasal obstruction or congestion, causing difficulty breathing through your nose, Pain, tenderness, and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead, Loss of smell and reduced ability to taste, 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. We help disabled veterans nationwide. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Make sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. Other neck conditions have maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent or lower. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. 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. VA Disability For Back Arthritis - Vet You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones,fused together to form the Coccyx . 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. DDD may cause pain to some extent, but obtaining disability benefits can be difficult. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. Other requirements are the presence of spinal arachnoiditis which causes inflammation of one of the nervous systems membranes which means you need to reposition yourself at least every two hours. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? The spine can affect every other part of your body. A medical nexus linking the primary condition to the secondary DDD. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common causes of low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), and neck pain (cervical) in veterans. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. DOC 4 - Veterans Affairs Veteran disability ratings for degenerative disc disease are typically between 10% and 20% of the VA's disability rate. Though back and neck conditions both stem from the spine in most instances, VA rates them as separate disabilities. The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as diagnostic code 5003, which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. 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. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? 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. 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. Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? 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. Read More. 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathyin more detail. Veterans who are believed to have more severe symptoms have received higher ratings from the VA in the past. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. 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. However, the path to getting these benefits is often filled with obstacles. #1. 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. The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Importantly, limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. 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 Bulging discs are rated based on the number of incapacitating episodes that have occurred due to the disability. 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. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. With over 30+ years experience winning cases, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law have built a reputation for excellence, hard work, and always standing by our clients. 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 VA Disability Benefits - Woods and Woods, LLC This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. Determining Your Degenerative Disc Disease Disability Rating. What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65, Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. Thank. The rating criteria can often leave veterans with IVDS short-changed because it is based on the amount of bedrest prescribed by a doctor. What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? Muscle atrophy must also be accurately measured and reported. VA Disability for Bulging Discs | PTSD Lawyers - Berry Law This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. 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). Schedule a Free Consultation. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. Medical professionals call this 'radicular pain.' Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease and Disability Benefits - brrlaw