what is the va disability rating for degenerative disc diseasewhat is the va disability rating for degenerative disc disease

VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. For example, a Veteran with mild degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while a Veteran with severe degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 100 percent disability rating. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. Knowing how VA ratings for degenerative disc di. If a veteran can prove that their service-connected spinal condition was the primary cause of the secondary condition, they may qualify as having a secondary service-connection condition. I have a 20% rating for arthritis in my back, but can I get more for degenerative disc disease? Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by an allergic reactionto specific allergens (e.g. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. 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! Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. As the spine wears and tears, the disc degenerates. Other neck conditions have maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent or lower. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. 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. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease. 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. This condition causes the discs between the vertebrae to lose their proper cushioning, fragment, and herniate. The spine consists of four primary regions from yourneck down to your buttocks and pelvic area . radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. 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. The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is typically found in the lower back or neck. As a result of DDD, some people can manage their pain in a variety of ways. Social Security Medical Evaluations It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). Va Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease Military service can place an incredible amount of stress on the body. The VA rates degenerative disc disease by assigning a disability rating based on how the condition is impacting the Veterans ability to function. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. 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. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. 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. A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. Our attorneys will use our expertise to help you fight for your benefits. This 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, will be assigned once only to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating. If you are disabled from a degenerative spinal disc condition and your disability claim has been turned down, we can help. The SSA gets many applications for disability based on degenerative disc disease, and most of them get denied unless other physical or mental problems are present as well. He or she will gather evidence that proves the VA came to the wrong conclusion. We help disabled veterans nationwide. Veterans who struggle with mobility or chronic pain may be unable to find work. 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. Depending on the number of joints affected, VA rates degenerative disc disease between 10% and 20%. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. Diagnosing and treating degeneration disc disease as soon as possible is critical to its early resolution. Call Us. The functional loss may be due to absence of part, or all, of the necessary bones, joints and muscles, or associated structures, or to deformity, adhesions, defective innervation, or other pathology, or it may be due to pain, supported by adequate pathology and evidenced by the visible behavior of the claimant undertaking the motion. Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. Degenerative disc disease may also qualify as a secondary service-connected disability or one that developed as a result of a service-connected injury. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. A spinal fusion procedure is usually performed in order to relieve pain and allow the spine to heal. A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateralinvolvement when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. 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. For instance, which pages you go to most. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. The average VA rating for degenerative disc disease is 30%. It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix 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. Secondary Service Connection for Herniated Discs The maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease VA compensation is 20 percent without any additional . To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. However, you may wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for the allergic rhinitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. Contact us to take advantage of our free consultation. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate.Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. The guidelines also state that if a patient requires bed rest, the physician should encourage them to return to their normal activities as soon as possible. (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. However, getting these benefits is often challenging. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. Feeling better by changing positions often or lying down. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. If you have degenerative disc disease as a service-connected condition, you must be able to prove that you have received VA disability benefits. 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. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. 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. Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathyin more detail. Can I Get Disability With Degenerative Disc Disease As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 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. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 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. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. You May Like: What Is Long Term Disability Insurance. However, looking back on your time in the military, you may be able to quickly recall situations that may have led to chronic back and spine problems: Recommended Reading: Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. 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. Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. There is no cure for degenerative disc disease, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine.

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what is the va disability rating for degenerative disc disease

what is the va disability rating for degenerative disc disease