The sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting thespine to the pelvis. In this case, if the Veteran develops DJD in any other joint in the future, that joint is automatically subject to service connection. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Additionally, the rating criteria does not take other symptoms or daily limitations into account, such as difficulty sitting, standing, lifting, or bending. 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. A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. Veterans Serving Veterans 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. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. 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. 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. We recommend using our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. 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. How Long Does It Take to Get Your VA Disability Rating? The VA can award benefits only if it finds a connection between a Veterans impairment and their past military service. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. Thank. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. Asthma is not a curable condition, but its symptoms can be controlled. . Walking or swimming is an appropriate form of exercise that is low-impact. In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. 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. Social Security Medical Evaluations Contact us to take advantage of our free consultation. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. How can a veteran get a 100% VA rating for back pain? 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. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. Radiculopathy can have many different signs and symptoms aswell as different names depending on where in the spine it occurs. 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 allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. For veterans, the average rating ranges from 10% to 20%. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? 5001 Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive: Active 100 Inactive: See 4.88c and 4.89 5002 Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. The remaining 70% do not receive a disability rating. In many cases, Veterans with DDD are denied benefits or given low disability ratings. 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. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. Common Signs and Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: Basic Eligibility Criteria. Just fill out the form and we. We help disabled veterans nationwide. 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. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. However, individuals with degenerative disc disease may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if their condition prevents them from being able to work. Feeling better while walking or even running than while sitting or standing for long periods of time. It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. However, you may wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? 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. Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. When a nerve root is compressed, it becomes inflamed. during military service and died as the result of service-connected conditions may also be eligible for VA survivors benefits. Back conditions typically correspond to the thoracolumbar spine, which is composed of several different types of vertebrae. Many Vets have developed serious asthma even chronic asthma because of exposure to harmful burn pit pollutants. individual unemployability . Call Us. 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. 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. Degenerative disc disease is a common disability among Veterans. In order to qualify for disability benefits with degenerative disc disease, your condition needs to meet the criteria laid out in the Social Security Administration's Blue Book listing. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. We are an online blog dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information about orthopedics and injury prevention. Extraschedular Disability Ratings Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. As the spine wears and tears, the disc degenerates. If you have received a VA disability claim denial, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law can step in to help you appeal your claim. However, many Veterans struggle to get degenerative disc disease VA disability compensation.. FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive However, there are other conditions you need to meet before you can submit an application for disability benefits. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. If you are unable to work because of a disability, you may be able to get a Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) deferment. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. After leaving active duty, veterans may experience chronic or worsening pain. Call today! #1. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 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. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. The VA examiner will usually ask questions during the exam to establish whether your condition is related to your military service. One of the rated conditions I left the Army with was "Degenerative Disc Disease" at 10%. The spine can affect every other part of your body. For example, the VA compensation exam for lower back pain might include a disability benefits questionnaire . degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. Va Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease Military service can place an incredible amount of stress on the body. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. 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. Rhinitis also is present with the common cold, which is a temporary condition, so make sure to empahsize allergic rhinitis. The VA uses Diagnostic Codes (DCs) to rate disabilities. The VA often describes this connection as a nexus. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Muscle spasm will greatly assist the identification. You should consult with your doctor if you are experiencing back pain to find out what is causing it and how it is affecting you. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. Since that requires you to show that you have no range of motion (i.e., you cannot move your back), it can be very difficult, and you have to show why your back condition severely limits you. When a spinal disc wears down over time, it causes back pain. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. When a herniation of the disc occurs as a result of degeneration, it is the most common surgical treatment for this condition. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. 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. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. The middle and upper back area is your thoracic spine andthe lower back area is your lumbar spine. 5.4k views Answered >2 years ago. It can be difficult for veterans to satisfy this rating criteria because modern medical practices no longer call for bed rest to treat IVDS. Diagnosing and treating degeneration disc disease as soon as possible is critical to its early resolution. What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65, Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. This condition causes the discs between the vertebrae to lose their proper cushioning, fragment, and herniate. It is a common VA disability claim for disability caused by a disabling disc disease. However, if VA examiners arrive at this conclusion, they must provide adequate rationale to support their determination. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. Usually this happens when a veteran experiences symptoms or limitations that are not considered by the rating schedule. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. 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. As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. 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. The speed and extent of deterioration are dependent on external factors. This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateralinvolvement when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. List of Common Veterans Administration Abbreviations, CIGNA / New York Life Disability Insurance, Disability and Life Insurance Claims FAQs, VA Service Connected Disability Claims FAQ, Life Insurance and Accidental Dismemberment FAQs, process of recovering VA disability benefits, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, The VA TDIU Approval Rate and Claim Appeal Options. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. The percentage of arthritis of the back will be based on the number of joints/joint groups affected and the extent of incapacitation, with 10 being the most common. Otherwise, VA should not rely on it for adjudication purposes. 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits: Understand Your Claim Options, Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals, Camp Lejeune Justice Act Toxic Water Claims. The doctor must perform a goniometer test on you to determine your ability to move. Do You Deserve a Higher VA Disability Rating? 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. Chronic sinusitis occurs when youir sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. Also Check: Can You Get Disability For Diabetes. 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. Ill also reveal 3 new insider tips to increase your VA Rating for Degenerate Disc Disease, even if youve already filed or been denied. In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. Military service puts a lot of stress on your body. 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. Physical therapy may help with muscle range of motion, while prescription medications may be used to alleviate pain. 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. Degenerative disc disease is classified as a Musculoskeletal disorder by the VA. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? 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. This happens when the soft, inner part of the disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathyin more detail. 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. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the spine conditions that qualifies for disability benefits. Include. The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. 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. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. 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. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Usually, it's experienced in the back or neck. Under 38 CFR 4.71a, VA generally rates low back conditions as follows: " 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine Read More. Many veterans experience chronic or worsening pain after they leave active duty. You must be able to demonstrate the severity of your disability in order to receive the proper disability rating. It mostly occurs in your lower back or neck. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. If you have degenerative disc disease as a service-connected condition, you must be able to prove that you have received VA disability benefits. Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine (1) Limitation of Range of Motion and (2) Pain are the two most common factors that determine your final VA rating for back conditions such as Degenerative Disc Disease. To get TDIU, you may prove why your service-connected condition prevents you from working. One of the most common is for herniated discs to develop. 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. A veteran must show that the case presents such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with such related factors as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization that make it impractical for VA to assign a schedular rating. 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. It is particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. According to the VA disability rating formula, it is usually 20 percent for someone suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip due to severe pain. Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. For a free case evaluation, call CCK today at 800-544-9144. After the exam, the VA examiner will issue an opinion deciding if your DDD is at least as likely as not connected to your service. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. Can I Receive VA Disability Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure? Radiculopathy is a nerve condition caused by compressed nerves in the spine, resulting in weakness, numbness, or pain along the nerve. Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) considers the diagnosis of Cervical Facet Syndrome to be synonymous with the diagnosis of Osteoarthritis of the Cervical Spine. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. In its earlier stages, it can be easy to assume that DDD symptoms are just everyday aches and pains that have no link to a Veteran's military service. Muscle atrophy must also be accurately measured and reported. This condition is rather common and typically interferes with the way mucus drains, causing your nose to be stuffy. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. To help the VA determine VA disability ratings for back pain, a compensation and pension exam is usually required. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Bulging discs are rated based on the number of incapacitating episodes that have occurred due to the disability. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. 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. It is possible for migraines to develop as a result of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. Many Veterans may not even realize that their degenerative disc disease is service-related. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. The term degenerative disc disease is used to describe spinal disc changes that occur over time as one ages. hay fever). Periods of severe pain that come and go. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. If this is the case, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability . You can file a claim with CCK today at 800-544-9400 if you claim for benefits after being denied by the VA or the DWD. You may because back disorders are tricky. Five bones fused into atriangular shape, form the sacrum. 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. 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. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! The average VA rating for degenerative disc disease is 30%. A VA Disability Lawyers role is to assist you throughout the confusing and often frustrating appeals process if you have been denied benefits for your service-connected back pain. 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. 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. In some cases, herniated discs can make it difficult or even impossible to work. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. Receive answers to more of your VA disability claim questions.