A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. However, more commonly, veterans are able to achieve a 100% rating through a combination of back and neck injury ratings and other conditions. 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. Most Common Back Pain VA Claims and Ratings Among Veterans. Otherwise, VA should not rely on it for adjudication purposes. Chronic sinusitis occurs when youir sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. Social Security Medical Evaluations If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. Dont give up. Orthopedic conditions are typically categorized as those that impact the musculoskeletal system. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. Asthma is not a curable condition, but its symptoms can be controlled. Most Common Back Conditions Veterans Experience & Their Ratings, VA Claims for Hip Pain Secondary to Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Most Common Back Pain VA Claims Among Veterans, 3 Common Back Conditions Veterans Experience, Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) for VA Disability, A current diagnosis of DDD by a medical professional; and. 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. We should investigate worsening symptoms and secondary conditions that may have occurred as a result of the degeneration of the disc. The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. . As the spine wears and tears, the disc degenerates. degenerative disc disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it typically gets worse over time. One of the most common symptoms of degeneration of the disks is back pain. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. 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. 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%. If you are no longer able to work because you have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease , you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits provided by the Social Security Administration if you have paid sufficient Social Security taxes which has allowed you to accrue sufficient social security credits. Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. Furthermore, Depression is one of the most common comorbidities in veterans with chronic low back pain. Slouching and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of degeneration of the discs in the discs. In most cases, veterans will have to provide evidence of the following three elements of their service connection in pursuing compensation: Its been demonstrated that veterans who were exposed to the environmental hazards from open-air burn pits are at higher risk for developing allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory conditions so, to your advantage, that is a known fact. 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. Lay evidence that you had the condition while in service. Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. The people serving in our military work hard. Some veterans may also develop degenerative disc disease as the result of an already service-connected condition. The TDIU rating gives the same amount of disability benefits as the 100% rating but does not require the full 100%. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. The term degenerative disc disease is used to describe spinal disc changes that occur over time as one ages. 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. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. 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. What Is The Maximum Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease The effects of DDD can be severe on a disabled Veterans family and finances. If you have received a VA disability claim denial, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law can step in to help you appeal your claim. If someone had degenerative arthritis in both the cervical and low back that's been diagnosed by the VA from x-rays this is 10%, or is is 20% because it's in both areas of the spine? VA rates degenerative disc disease under38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, diagnostic code 5242. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. Degenerative Disc Disease VA Disability Benefits - Woods and Woods, LLC If so, then you deserve to recover VA disability benefits. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. 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. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? An examination by VA must confirm the limitations of motion in the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion. Radiculopathy is a nerve condition caused by compressed nerves in the spine, resulting in weakness, numbness, or pain along the nerve. Though the practice was effective in reducing large quantities of waste, the burn pits emitted large clouds of toxic smoke which was later proven to cause many adverse health conditions. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. It is important to learn more about this condition and the process of recovering VA disability benefits. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. 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. Military service puts a lot of stress on your body. 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. Get to know us through our videos. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. DDD may cause pain to some extent, but obtaining disability benefits can be difficult. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. 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! All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you cant move at all without discomfort or pain, make sure to let the examiner know that. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateralinvolvement when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor. Code O-2 ( 38 CFR 3.350 (e) (2)). 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 have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times, such as when exercising, or you may have symptoms all of the time. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. 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.