For example, if a Veteran experienced 4-6 weeks of incapacitating episodes in the past year, they can receive a 40% bulging disc VA disability rating. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! This condition causes the discs between the vertebrae to lose their proper cushioning, fragment, and herniate. 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. They all go together, so make sure you work with an experienced lawyer to get ratings for all of them. 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. Muscle atrophy must also be accurately measured and reported. 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. Walking or swimming is an appropriate form of exercise that is low-impact. 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits: Understand Your Claim Options, Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals, Camp Lejeune Justice Act Toxic Water Claims. There is no doubt that DDD can be a serious and debilitating condition, and you must seek proper care. Also Check: This Device Is Disabled Code 22. Because DDD often does not appear noticeably during a soldiers time in the military, it can be difficult to recognize the condition in its early stages. Degenerative disc disease is known to be a condition that develops over time. This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix it. March 23, 2019 Updated: June 21, 2022 What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. 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. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. An examination by VA must confirm the limitations of motion in the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion. Degenerative Disc Disease is a painful spinal disorder caused by the steady degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which are the pads that cushion the bones in the vertebrae of your spine. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. There are different levels of pain associated with degenerative disc disease. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. They can range from dull nagging pain to severe disabling (sharp or throbbing) pain. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. Call Us. How Long Does It Take to Get Your VA Disability Rating? However, the path to getting these benefits is often filled with obstacles. The rating chart for thoracolumbar spinal pain is used for primary and secondary conditions to lower back pain. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. These cookies do not store any personal information. You're not alone. Which it turns out are more than just one item. Many Vets have developed serious asthma even chronic asthma because of exposure to harmful burn pit pollutants. #1. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? This website is designed for general information only. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. Physical therapy may help with muscle range of motion, while prescription medications may be used to alleviate pain. 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. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. 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. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. For example, lets say you have full range of motion for your Degenerative Disc Disease, but you have pain during movement, you should be awarded the minimum level of disability for the condition, which is 10%. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. Also Check: Can You Get Disability For Diabetes. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. 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. If so, then you deserve to recover VA disability benefits. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Service Connection 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. By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney. In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. Approximately 30% of American adults experience back pain at some point. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. If you cant move at all without discomfort or pain, make sure to let the examiner know that. 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. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. 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. 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. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. The #1 best way to increase your VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease is to get X-Rays so you have objective medical evidence to show the degradation of your discs over time. It sounds like this may have been an interpretation of an MRI that you had. 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. Social Security Medical Evaluations The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is typically found in the lower back or neck. 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. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. When a herniation of the disc occurs as a result of degeneration, it is the most common surgical treatment for this condition. In more severe cases, Degenerative Disc Disease can cause weakness, numbness, and shooting or throbbing pain in the arms or legs, which is a painful condition knows as Radiculopathy. 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. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. Can I Receive VA Disability Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure? 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.. Feeling better by changing positions often or lying down. Smoke from military burn pits have had both short- and long-term health effects on those exposed. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. The rating criteria can often leave veterans with IVDS short-changed because it is based on the amount of bedrest prescribed by a doctor. Yes, Degenerative Disc Disease is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100% depending upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms. 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. In this post, we will be exploring how to get aVA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Thinner and weaker discs often lead to back pain, muscle weakness, and pinched nerves. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? For instance, which pages you go to most. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. The VA rates degenerative disc disease by assigning a disability rating based on how the condition is impacting the Veterans ability to function. Despite the challenges that arise, people with DDD can still lead full, productive lives. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. Degenerative disc disease is also referred to as osteoarthritis of the spine. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. I have radiculopathy for spinal fusion, can I get benefits for degenerative disc disease too? The VA often describes this connection as a nexus. 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. We recommend using our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. 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 veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. 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. 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. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when the discs between the vertebrae deteriorate causing pain, weakness, tingling, and or numbness. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. If your VA disability claim for back pain has been denied, be sure to contact the VA Accredited Attorneys at VetLaw right away to help make sure you get the entitlement you deserve. Muscle spasm will greatly assist the identification. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the spine conditions that qualifies for disability benefits. In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. 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) Back injuries are frequently reported after military service. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease. Back conditions typically correspond to the thoracolumbar spine, which is composed of several different types of vertebrae. A common secondary condition to spinal conditions is also nerve damage or issues. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. 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. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. 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. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times, such as when exercising, or you may have symptoms all of the time. 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. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by an allergic reactionto specific allergens (e.g. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It 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. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. Feeling better while walking or even running than while sitting or standing for long periods of time. Any limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) should be measured with a Goniometer by the medical professional at your VA C&P Exam for Back Pain. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. As the spine wears and tears, the disc degenerates. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. This happens when the soft, inner part of the disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. Importantly, limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. hay fever). In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. Asthma is a condition in which your air passageways swell and narrow and may produce extra mucus. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. Your VA disability rating for back injury or spine injury will depend on which code the condition falls under. The following are some of the most common symptoms of degenerative disc disease: Generally, to prove service connection and secure a degenerative disc disease VA rating, veterans need evidence of the following three things: Veterans can submit a claim for VA disability benefits onVA Form 21-526EZ. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. 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. When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. If so, you may need help acquiring the benefits you need. 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). 5.4k views Answered >2 years ago. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as.
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