It is a common VA disability claim for disability caused by a disabling disc disease. These cookies do not store any personal information. If you have been diagnosed with a condition caused by military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits. 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. Have you received a VA disability claim denial? These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. This condition refers to back or neck pain caused by the general breakdown of spinal discs. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that refers to the breakdown of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine. 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. Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family history of spine problems, or spine injury. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? The VA often describes this connection as a nexus. Service Connection 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. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. 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. When the discs degenerate or break down, they can no longer perform their function properly. The VA assigns each applicant a disability rating based on the severity of the service-related condition. We can assist you in obtaining VA benefits, as well as in appealing any denials. (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. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. 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. Many toxins from these burn pits were released into the air, including volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, dioxins, and furans. But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathyin more detail. So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. 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. 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. Code O-2 ( 38 CFR 3.350 (e) (2)). Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. If you are unable to work due to Degenerative Disc Disease, you should speak with your caseworker about TDIU benefits. The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veteran's mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. In general, the ratings for spine conditions are based on range of motion. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates, on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. If so, then you deserve to recover VA disability benefits. Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. However, you may wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? 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. You're not alone. When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. 5001 Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive: Active 100 Inactive: See 4.88c and 4.89 5002 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. However, if you can prove that your degenerative disc disease was connected to your military service, you will receive a disability rating from the VA. All of the medical documentation that you have gathered for your VA disability rating can be used as evidence in your SSDI application. Another secondary condition that can develop is spinal stenosis. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] 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. 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. This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. VA Unemployability Explained What is TDIU? These cases are classified as higher in severity. Lay evidence that you had the condition while in service. 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits: Understand Your Claim Options, Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals, Camp Lejeune Justice Act Toxic Water Claims. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. It sounds like this may have been an interpretation of an MRI that you had. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. Dont give up. To receive an extraschedular disability rating, you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50% maximum. 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. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. However, many Veterans struggle to get degenerative disc disease VA disability compensation.. A common secondary condition to spinal conditions is also nerve damage or issues. These codes guide the VA on how to rate your disability at a certain percentage level based on specific symptoms. 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. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. 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. The VA rating for radiculopathy in the lower back will be based on symptoms felt in their lower limbs, such as feet, calves, or thighs. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. A veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. The pain severity and frequency, as well as the individuals age and occupation, all play an important role in determining its severity. 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. Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. Common orthopedic conditions impacting veterans include neck pain and low back pain. Periods of severe pain that come and go. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. Whether from the physical rigors of combat, from the psychosomatic effects of stress and anxiety on the body, or from other factors, many soldiers can leave their time in the military with a wide range of physical problems. If the disability criteria do not accurately reflect your disability level, you may be assigned an extraschedular rating. You must be open, honest, and truthful at your C&P exam for Degenerative Disc Disease, and make sure toSTOPthe C&P examiner as soon as you feel any discomfort or pain. 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. Veteran disability ratings for degenerative disc disease are typically between 10% and 20% of the VA's disability rate. 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. 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. For retrolisthesis to be a disability, you will need to meet a Blue Book listing, demonstrating your retrolisthesis is severe enough to qualify for disability benefits. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? These include aging, injury, and genetics. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. 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. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. hay fever). 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. You may have questions like, what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide by Berry Law is an important source. VA rates degenerative disc disease under38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, diagnostic code 5242. After leaving active duty, veterans may experience chronic or worsening pain. 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. As the spine wears and tears, the disc degenerates. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. 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. Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . What Conditions Qualify for Disability Benefits? This can put pressure on the nerves around the disc and cause pain. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. Some veterans may also develop degenerative disc disease as the result of an already service-connected condition. 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. If you have received a VA disability claim denial, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law can step in to help you appeal your claim. Usually, its experienced in the back or neck. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. 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. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. This condition can flare up in a few days to a few weeks, causing lasting pain. 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. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). Find out if you qualify for SSDI benefits. The patient will be able to live a pain-free life without any limitations if a qualified healthcare provider manages their pain. Muscle spasm will greatly assist the identification. 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. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating.