While the VA diagnostic code has a maximum rating of 50%, it is possible to get a greater rating if you can prove how your spinal condition limits your function and your life. Just fill out the form and we 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. Can I Get Disability With Degenerative Disc Disease Specifically, exposure to the toxins released can affect a persons lung health. The Essentials on VA Disability Ratings for Bulging Disc Eric Gang, ESQ Back pain is a common problem for veterans. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should befor the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. ELITE Success: Its Never Too Late to Get Correctly Rated, How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions. Schedule a Free Consultation. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. Veteran disability ratings for degenerative disc disease are typically between 10% and 20% of the VA's disability rate. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. individual unemployability . An individuals eligibility for DDD benefits can be determined by a number of factors. 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. . The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Common orthopedic conditions impacting veterans include neck pain and low back pain. You will need to provide medical evidence that your retrolisthesis meets the SSA's definition of severe and will . Sciatic neuritis is not uncommonly caused by arthritis of the spine. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. As is evident from the rating schedules below, the highest possible schedular rating for any single neck impairment is 60 percent for veterans with severe intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. An examination by VA must confirm the limitations of motion in the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion. However, individuals with degenerative disc disease may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if their condition prevents them from being able to work. March 23, 2019 Updated: June 21, 2022 What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. 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). Citation Nr: 18160441 Decision Date: 12/26/18 Archive Date: 12/26/18 DOCKET NO. 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. One of the most common is for herniated discs to develop. Chat with Us. To qualify for service-connected compensation for allergic rhinitis, veterans must prove that their condition was caused by or aggravated by their time spent in service. 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%. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as Agent Orange) during military service and died as the result of service-connected conditions may also be eligible for VA survivors benefits. There are several factors that can lead to a service-connected disability, including the physical strain and stress that many soldiers endure on a daily basis while they are on active duty. Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! The doctor must perform a goniometer test on you to determine your ability to move. Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is a common condition that can be distinguished from a variety of other conditions. In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. With over 30+ years experience winning cases, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law have built a reputation for excellence, hard work, and always standing by our clients. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. And, youll get to work with a Veteran Coach (VC) who will lead you to VA claim success. Degenerative disc disease may also qualify as a secondary service-connected disability or one that developed as a result of a service-connected injury. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. If this is the case, contact us. 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. This website is designed for general information only. It is a common VA disability claim for disability caused by a disabling disc disease. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. 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. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be . We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the 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. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. 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. Otherwise, VA should not rely on it for adjudication purposes. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. In addition, there are times when VA can rate veterans outside of the rating schedule. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. Usually, it's experienced in the back or neck. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. 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 can be submitted via mail to the Evidence Intake Center or electronically throughVAs website. 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. The remaining 70% do not receive a disability rating. SSA will consider disability claims for degenerative disc disease that are supported by medical evidence such as: Physical examination for type and location of pain, range of motion, nerve function, sensation, and muscle strength, with a full review of the entirety of symptoms Diagnostic imaging tests (such as MRI, CT scans, and x-rays) Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. VA disability claims evidence can be direct or circumstantial, and include: A positive VA disability rating for a a bulging disc or a herniated disc is based on the extent of your symptoms, how impaired your range of motion is, prevalence of incapacitating episodes, and how all of this impacts your daily life. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. To qualify for TDIU, you must show that your condition prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. confirm with the actual CFR for VA disability ratings but this one has seemed to be very accurate with it. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. However, getting these benefits is often challenging. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. In general, the ratings for spine conditions are based on range of motion. This is where a VA-approved medical professional will perform a comprehensive physical and verbal examination then write their opinion on your condition. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. Rhinitis also is present with the common cold, which is a temporary condition, so make sure to empahsize allergic rhinitis. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. Are you a veteran suffering from degenerative disc disease? 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. The average VA rating for degenerative disc disease is 30%. They may allege that your condition is due to the natural progression of aging. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent . One of the most common symptoms of degeneration of the disks is back pain. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. The process to receive approval for these benefits is often tedious and frustrating. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. 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. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . It is important to learn more about this condition and the process of recovering VA disability benefits. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. A common secondary condition to spinal conditions is also nerve damage or issues. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. If so, then you deserve to recover VA disability benefits. Because the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine talk about flexion, which is the act of flexing or bending. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Secondary Service Connection for Herniated Discs The maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease VA compensation is 20 percent without any additional . 5001 Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive: Active 100 Inactive: See 4.88c and 4.89 5002 Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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. 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. These can last from a few days to a few months before getting better. 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. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. 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. A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. The final determination on whether an extraschedular rating is warranted must be made by the VA Undersecretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Service. Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. Many Vets have developed serious asthma even chronic asthma because of exposure to harmful burn pit pollutants. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. The treatment for degenerative disc disease is available in a variety of ways, and the decision is based on the individuals and the severity of the problem. Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family history of spine problems, or spine injury. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. 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. If youre trying to increase your VA disability rating for Degenerative Disc Disease, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant a higher rating by law. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It 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.