VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) considers the diagnosis of Cervical Facet Syndrome to be synonymous with the diagnosis of Osteoarthritis of the Cervical Spine. Therefore, VA must determine if the veteran is eligible for a rating higher than the ones set forth by the rating schedule. Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common causes of low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), and neck pain (cervical) in veterans. For example, the VA compensation exam for lower back pain might include a disability benefits questionnaire . These codes guide the VA on how to rate your disability at a certain percentage level based on specific symptoms. 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. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to evaluate back conditions like osteoarthritis. 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. Our legal team can provide you with quality and experienced representation that is going to help you receive the benefits you deserve. Back injuries are frequently reported after military service. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. The doctor must perform a goniometer test on you to determine your ability to move. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? Water loss and disc damage gradually leads to thinner and weaker discs that cannot effectively cushion the vertebrae. 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. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. They can range from dull nagging pain to severe disabling (sharp or throbbing) pain. 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. Otherwise, VA should not rely on it for adjudication purposes. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. 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). If this is the case, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability . This results in numerous unpleasant and painful symptoms in veterans that may include: Your specific symptoms will depend on where in the spine the nerve root is pinched. 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. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. 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. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. The term incomplete paralysis, with this and otherperipheral nerve injuries, indicates a degree of lost or impaired functionsubstantially less than the type picture for complete paralysis given with eachnerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partialregeneration. An attorney can help you find the evidence you need to make your argument. The discs between your vertebrae will lose their cushioning and begin to fragment, often causing them to herniate. This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. Slouching and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of degeneration of the discs in the discs. 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. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. When a spinal disc wears down over time, it causes back pain. What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? You're not alone. There are different levels of pain associated with degenerative disc disease. VA Disability Ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, Service Connection for Degenerative Disc Disease, Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams for Degenerative Disc Disease, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. The sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting thespine to the pelvis. The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veteran's mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. 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. It sounds like this may have been an interpretation of an MRI that you had. This is where a VA-approved medical professional will perform a comprehensive physical and verbal examination then write their opinion on your condition. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. This condition causes the discs between the vertebrae to lose their proper cushioning, fragment, and herniate. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. 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. He is the founder and main author of brandonorthopedics.com, a website that offers valuable resources, tips, and advice for patients looking to learn more about orthopedic treatments and physiotherapy. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. You may be eligible for a secondary service connection if your degeneration of your disc progresses over time. Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. 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. If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. 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. These cases are classified as higher in severity. 15-18 701 DATE: December 26, 2018 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) on a causation basis, is granted. 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. A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. Include. With age or trauma, the intervertebral discs lose their water content, leaving the discs more prone to tearing or damage. The term degenerative disc disease is used to describe spinal disc changes that occur over time as one ages. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. A medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease from your doctor; and. It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. Sometimes degenerative disc disease is accompanied by varying levels of pain. Common Signs and Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: Basic Eligibility Criteria. 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. Some examples of cervical conditions that are rated under this code include the following: Diagnostic Code 5237 Cervical Strain A torn tendon or muscle in the neck His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. A few of the risk factors for Degenerative Disc Disease include your age, prior back injuries, car accidents, being overweight or obese, a sedentary lifestyle, or other forms of bodily trauma. 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. 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. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. The VA can award benefits only if it finds a connection between a Veterans impairment and their past military service. Amputations: Lower Extremity Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. Call Us. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. This uneven shift in weight may then contribute to complications in your lower back. To file for secondary service connection, you will need: Importantly, you do not have to file for secondary conditions at the same time as filing for primary conditions. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. This condition refers to back or neck pain caused by the general breakdown of spinal discs. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. Sharp and radiating pain in the back, arms, legs or shoulders that may worsen with certain activities, even something as simple as coughing or sneezing, Weakness, fatigue, or loss of reflexes in the arms or legs, Numbness or tingling of the skin, pins and needles, or other abnormal sensations in the arms or legs. Part of aging is disk deterioration; however, it does not cause pain in everyone. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. Orthopedic conditions are typically categorized as those that impact the musculoskeletal system. FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive In 20% of cases, the condition causes spinal stenosis, but 80% do not. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. The practitioner will assess how far you can bend and flex your joints during the range of motion C& P exam. To be eligible for this, you must have a disability that is rated at 60% or higher by the service provider. The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide by Berry Law is an important source. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that refers to the breakdown of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine. These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. Another secondary condition that can develop is spinal stenosis. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? If you are suffering from the effects of cervical degenerative disc disease you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease and you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. TDIU, or total disability based on individual unemployability, occurs when a veteran is unable to work as a direct result of their service-connected disability or condition. The degenerative process of the spinal disc can begin gradually or abruptly, but it can progress for up to three decades, during which time the spine is restabilized, and pain is reduced or eliminated.
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