you viewed to avoid repetition. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. Can I Get Disability With Degenerative Disc Disease It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. The formula that VA uses to rate back disabilities with a diagnosis code between 5235 and 5242is the same. 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). If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease and you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. Though the practice was effective in reducing large quantities of waste, the burn pits emitted large plumes of toxic smoke which was later found to cause many adverse health effects. You May Like: New York State Short Term Disability. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. There are different levels of pain associated with degenerative disc disease. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. However, if VA examiners arrive at this conclusion, they must provide adequate rationale to support their determination. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. 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. The VA could assign you a herniated disc disability rating from 10% to 100%. 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. Brandon Callahan, MD is a board-certified orthopedic physician with a decade of experience in providing comprehensive orthopedic care to patients with musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. 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. Ill also reveal 3 new insider tips to increase your VA Rating for Degenerate Disc Disease, even if youve already filed or been denied. Review your medical records with a doctor familiar with VA law to get the best rating. And, youll get to work with a Veteran Coach (VC) who will lead you to VA claim success. The breaking open of a spinal disc is called a prolapsed or herniated disc. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. A medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease from your doctor; and. For example, if you have a service-connected knee condition that causes you to favor one side when you walk, you may develop an altered gait. To receive an extraschedular disability rating, you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50% maximum. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by an allergic reactionto specific allergens (e.g. You May Like: What Is Long Term Disability Insurance. 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. 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. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height. Are you a veteran suffering from degenerative disc disease? If you have severed your DDD while in the military, you must demonstrate that it is a condition that has a direct relationship with your service. We should investigate worsening symptoms and secondary conditions that may have occurred as a result of the degeneration of the disc. As a result of DDD, some people can manage their pain in a variety of ways. In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. With IVDS, these discs may be displaced at the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic areas of the spine. The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide by Berry Law is an important source. However, if you can prove that your degenerative disc disease was connected to your military service, you will receive a disability rating from the VA. All of the medical documentation that you have gathered for your VA disability rating can be used as evidence in your SSDI application. 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. 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. 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. 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. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? If your degenerative disc disease develops over time, you can file a claim for secondary service connection when necessary. He or she will gather evidence that proves the VA came to the wrong conclusion. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease 10% to 100%, Common VA Secondary Conditions to Degenerative Disc Disease, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): VA Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease. Degenerative disc disease is also referred to as osteoarthritis of the spine. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when the discs between the vertebrae deteriorate causing pain, weakness, tingling, and or numbness. Crepitation either in the soft tissues such as the tendons or ligaments, or crepitation within the joint structures should be noted carefully as points of contact which are diseased. Service Connection 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. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. 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. So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. These cases are classified as higher in severity. The sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting thespine to the pelvis. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . It can be difficult for veterans to satisfy this rating criteria because modern medical practices no longer call for bed rest to treat IVDS. 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. As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. What is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? To be eligible for disability benefits for a herniated disc, you must have a current diagnosis of the condition and meet the eligibility criteria for VA disability benefits. What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. #1. Extraschedular Disability Ratings Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. These cookies do not store any personal information. This article will only focus on the portion of that formula that relates to the thoracolumbar spine. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. 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. It is possible for migraines to develop as a result of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. One of these is you need to be able to prove your degenerative disc disease will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. The VA will examine your DDD in order to determine if it is connected to your service. This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. The measurements used for determining compensation are as follows: If you are still in the military, then you can request your military physician to refer you to the MEB and start the IDES process. Veterans Serving Veterans It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. Degenerative disc disease is a common disability among Veterans. Getting a diagnosis as soon as possible, as well as having a pain management physician develop a treatment plan, are two of the most important steps to avoid complications. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. 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. Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. We are an online blog dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information about orthopedics and injury prevention. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It A spinal fusion procedure is usually performed in order to relieve pain and allow the spine to heal. It sounds like this may have been an interpretation of an MRI that you had. However, the path to getting these benefits is often filled with obstacles. This condition refers to back or neck pain caused by the general breakdown of spinal discs. 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. It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. The rating chart for thoracolumbar spinal pain is used for primary and secondary conditions to lower back pain. You must also provide evidence that shows a service connected disability to your military service. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to evaluate back conditions like osteoarthritis. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. 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. To get TDIU, you may prove why your service-connected condition prevents you from working. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. This evidence will show that you are suffering from degenerative disc disease due to conditions on the job. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. Sciatic neuritis is not uncommonly caused by arthritis of the spine. A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. There is no maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as the condition is not considered to be a service-connected disability. The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as diagnostic code 5003, which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. 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.. It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. Our attorneys can help you answer this question and more. This can be submitted via mail to the Evidence Intake Center or electronically throughVAs website. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. 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. 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. In 20% of cases, the condition causes spinal stenosis, but 80% do not. Military burn pits are large areas of land that were used by the United States military to incinerate waste in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan in the post-9/11 era. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. Make Today The Last Day You Worry About Your Disability Claim. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. 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. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. This condition can flare up in a few days to a few weeks, causing lasting pain. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. 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). Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. Determining Your Degenerative Disc Disease Disability Rating. If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain Criteria VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. Furthermore, Depression is one of the most common comorbidities in veterans with chronic low back pain. 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. This condition necessitates that people avoid activities that are too heavy, such as running, jumping, and lifting heavy objects. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. during military service and died as the result of service-connected conditions may also be eligible for VA survivors benefits. How Long Does It Take to Get Your VA Disability Rating? The VA will only grant benefits to veterans who have been diagnosed with an impairment as a result of their military service. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. 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! Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! The VA rates degenerative disc disease by assigning a disability rating based on how the condition is impacting the Veterans ability to function. What is the Degenerative Disc Disease VA Rating? When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. Call Us. With age or trauma, the intervertebral discs lose their water content, leaving the discs more prone to tearing or damage. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. This website is designed for general information only. 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. 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. 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. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the spine conditions that qualifies for disability benefits.