The VA will examine your DDD in order to determine if it is connected to your service. . Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. However, you may experience some numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. This evidence will show that you are suffering from degenerative disc disease due to conditions on the job. It is important to learn more about this condition and the process of recovering VA disability benefits. It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. In addition, there are times when VA can rate veterans outside of the rating schedule. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. DDD can also cause radiculopathy, herniation discs, neurological impairments, and spinal stenosis, in addition to other conditions. For example, the VA compensation exam for lower back pain might include a disability benefits questionnaire . Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? The VA uses Diagnostic Codes (DCs) to rate disabilities. These examples of functional impairment can limit a veterans daily activities, quality of life, and ability to work. Sometimes degenerative disc disease is accompanied by varying levels of pain. Call 512-454-4000 for Free Consultation. As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. How can a veteran get a 100% VA rating for back pain? This condition can flare up in a few days to a few weeks, causing lasting pain. The breaking open of a spinal disc is called a prolapsed or herniated disc. 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. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? However, if VA examiners arrive at this conclusion, they must provide adequate rationale to support their determination. 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. You must be able to demonstrate the severity of your disability in order to receive the proper disability rating. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. Dont give up. There are different levels of pain associated with degenerative disc disease. If you cant move at all without discomfort or pain, make sure to let the examiner know that. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. There is no maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as the condition is not considered to be a service-connected disability. Va Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease Military service can place an incredible amount of stress on the body. 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. Though back and neck conditions both stem from the spine in most instances, VA rates them as separate disabilities. It is essential that the examination on which ratings are based adequately portray the anatomical damage, and the functional loss, with respect to all these elements. Bulging discs are rated based on the number of incapacitating episodes that have occurred due to the disability. Specifically, exposure to the toxins released can affect a persons lung health. Instead, many Veterans start to deal with more severe symptoms of DDD years after they have retired from the military. 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. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Our attorneys will use our expertise to help you fight for your benefits. A medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease from your doctor; and. Periods of severe pain that come and go. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. The rating criteria can often leave veterans with IVDS short-changed because it is based on the amount of bedrest prescribed by a doctor. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. VA Unemployability Explained What is TDIU? VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain (Cervicalgia), Cervical Spine Pain, & Neck Arthritis The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) views conditions of the spine through two main categoriesneck and back. FINDING OF FACT The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's obstructive 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. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. 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. 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. We help disabled veterans nationwide. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. If this is the case, contact us. 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. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. Do You Deserve a Higher VA Disability Rating? The average VA rating for degenerative disc disease is 30%. This website is designed for general information only. 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. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. 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). 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. 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 However, the path to getting these benefits is often filled with obstacles. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. 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. 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. Receive answers to more of your VA disability claim questions. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. A veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. you viewed to avoid repetition. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs when the discs between the vertebrae deteriorate causing pain, weakness, tingling, and or numbness. The VA could assign you a herniated disc disability rating from 10% to 100%. There is no doubt that wear and tear on the body, as well as the wear and tear on vehicles and on hills due to carrying the worlds lightest kit, can all contribute to Dizziness. 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. If you are diagnosed with the DDD it will be added to your C&P and can play a part in your rating but keep in mind the ROM-range of motion becomes a big factor in ratings of the spine. This article will only focus on the portion of that formula that relates to the thoracolumbar spine. You May Like: New York State Short Term Disability. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. For instance, which pages you go to most. 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. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. The remaining 70% do not receive a disability rating. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. If a veterans lower back pain prevents them from securing and keeping substantially gainful employment they may be eligible for TDIU benefits paid at a 100 percent disability rate. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as. It can take a long time for you to develop symptoms for this condition, and doctors often do not document the things VA needs to assess your condition. 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. This condition necessitates that people avoid activities that are too heavy, such as running, jumping, and lifting heavy objects. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. If you filed a claim for DDD and VA denied you benefits, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you appeal the unfavorable decision. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. A common secondary condition to spinal conditions is also nerve damage or issues. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. That formula actually covers both the cervical and thoracolumbar parts of the spine. I have radiculopathy for spinal fusion, can I get benefits for degenerative disc disease too? Despite the challenges that arise, people with DDD can still lead full, productive lives. 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. Secondly, your condition needs to be able to meet any of the blue book listings for musculoskeletal diseases. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. Amputations: Lower Extremity You may have questions like, what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? I've had a lot of issues that led to seeking civilian treatment, and that has finally culminated in more concrete diagnosis of my spinal issues. Call today! Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease. Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. Just fill out the form and we 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. In this post, we will be exploring how to get aVA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. 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. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. You may be eligible for a secondary service connection if your degeneration of your disc progresses over time. To qualify for TDIU, you must show that your condition prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. How Long Does It Take to Get Your VA Disability Rating? The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. 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. 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. This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It can be difficult for veterans to satisfy this rating criteria because modern medical practices no longer call for bed rest to treat IVDS. Service Connection 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. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. 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. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. 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. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should befor the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. Yes, Degenerative Disc Disease is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100% depending upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. hay fever). After leaving active duty, veterans may experience chronic or worsening pain. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. Schedule a Free Consultation. 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. The painful motion principle means that regardless of range of motion, if pain is present, the claimant should at least be awarded the minimum level of disability for that condition. 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 rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as diagnostic code 5003, which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. Radiculopathy can have many different signs and symptoms aswell as different names depending on where in the spine it occurs. You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. Your symptoms can also get progressively worse over time. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Call Us. If so, then you deserve to recover VA disability benefits. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. They can range from dull nagging pain to severe disabling (sharp or throbbing) pain. Others develop a more serious condition DDD , which is a lifelong condition that has the potential to cause significant disability. 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? A medical nexus linking the primary condition to the secondary DDD. 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. 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.. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? 5.4k views Answered >2 years ago. A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. They may allege that your condition is due to the natural progression of aging. A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. Our attorneys can help you answer this question and more. One of the rated conditions I left the Army with was "Degenerative Disc Disease" at 10%. Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. However, individuals with degenerative disc disease may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if their condition prevents them from being able to work. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. You may because back disorders are tricky. Include. Degenerative disc disease symptoms vary depending on the person. 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. We should investigate worsening symptoms and secondary conditions that may have occurred as a result of the degeneration of the disc. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the spine conditions that qualifies for disability benefits. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. You're not alone. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. 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. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. If you have recently filed a DDD claim or are considering one, the team at Hill can assist you. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. Your Degenerative Disc Disease was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service OR by another service connected disability for secondary service connection (Nexus for service connection), #3. 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. Eczema-type symptoms (e.g., dry, itchy skin), An in-service event, injury, or illness; and. Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. This condition refers to back or neck pain caused by the general breakdown of spinal discs. ELITE Success: Its Never Too Late to Get Correctly Rated, How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions. Do you wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veterans mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. To help the VA determine VA disability ratings for back pain, a compensation and pension exam is usually required. Also Check: This Device Is Disabled Code 22. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. Degenerative disc disease is known to be a condition that develops over time. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. Part of aging is disk deterioration; however, it does not cause pain in everyone. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. Some veterans may also develop degenerative disc disease as the result of an already service-connected condition. 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. 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. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Many veterans with degenerative disc disease have been forced to live on the floor. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. One of the most common is for herniated discs to develop.