Appellant represented by: Disabled American Veterans. The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20%, despite how much pain the condition may cause. Traumatic arthritis occurs after an injury, excessive movement, or other physical trauma. Surgery can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000 with a microdiscectomy or discectomy being the least expensive and spinal fusion costing the most. To establish service connection, veterans must generally do the following: Evidence to support your VA disability claim may include military personnel and medical records, lay testimony, and medical opinions. Prosthetic replacement of knee joint: For 1 year following implantation of prosthesis 100 Yes, you can. When these lateral nerve roots become compressed, it can disrupt the signals passing from your brain and spinal column out through the nerve roots to your arms, legs, and other parts of your body a condition called, Your spinal stenosis may be accompanied by other back conditions, including, Lumbosacral or cervical strain (diagnostic code 5237) used to refer to neck or, Spondylolisthesis/segmental instability (, Ankylosing spondylitis (diagnostic code 5240) a painful type of spinal arthritis. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Its never too late to apply for VA benefits. You can get disability benefits for your illness or condition if you have a disability rating of 10% or more and you have one of these presumptive diseases: By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Fill out the short form below to contact us. When rheumatoid arthritis affects the spine, it typically occurs in the cervical spine (the neck) rather than the thoracolumbar spine (the low back). However, generally speaking, symptoms may include the following: Most often, spinal stenosis is caused by overuse or general wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. At Hill & Ponton, we have helped thousands of veterans successfully resolve their disability claims with the VA. For a free, confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your case, contact us today. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Keep in mind that a Veterans disability law firm can work with you to build a claim for a higher rating. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Spinal stenosis Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety And more. we represent clients nationwide. All the disabilities stemming from spinal stenosis should be accounted for in a fair VA disability rating. It results in chronic pain, numbness, and weakness in your body. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. The rating systems used for arthritis of the spine is the second most common rating system for spine conditions. IVDS is rated under diagnostic code 5243, and the rating criteria relies on the number of incapacitating episodes and how much bed rest the veteran's physician prescribed within the last year. Congenital spinal stenosis is present at birth as a normal variant in the population or due to congenital conditions. A very common impairment caused by this nerve compression is sciatica. If the arthritis does not cause any episodes of incapacitation, but 2 or more joint groups are involved, then a 10% rating will be assigned. Get Directions. 4.30 Convalescent ratings. How to Appeal a Denied Veterans Disability Claim The following spinal conditions are all rated under the same general rating formula: The general rating formula that is used to rate the conditions listed above is mainly based on range of motion (ROM) measurements. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). Additional medical appliances may be required. Degenerative arthritis of the spine, sometimes referred to as facet joint osteoarthritis, causes a breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the back of the spine. Stenosis is most common in the cervical area (the neck) and the lower back (lumbar) area, with lumbar stenosis being the most common form of this condition. The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many, Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes destruction of the joints in the body. These measurements are taken while bending the neck and back forward and backward, tilting the neck and back from size to side, and rotating the neck and back to each side. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 When spinal stenosis causes additional disabilities, those problems may qualify as secondary service-connected disabilities. When spinal stenosis manifests in the form of back pain and a frozen spine, obtaining a fair VA disability rating for spinal stenosis is primarily a matter of obtaining accurate ROM measurements of the cervical spine and lumbar spine. An. Because the symptoms of spinal stenosis are not limited to back pain and ROM, you can investigate whether there are alternate options for obtaining a fair VA disability rating. Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine leads to neck pain, back pain, and sometimes causes pain to radiate into the arms and legs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is [K.S]. For example, if spinal stenosis causes nerve pain or other issues in the peripheral nerves of the arms, hands, legs, or feet, you may be able to obtain a higher VA disability rating through an independently ratable peripheral nerve disability. If radiculopathy is caused by a low back condition, the individuals will feel the symptoms in the lower extremities (thigh, calf, foot). This information is not a substitute for legal advice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? Herniated Discs. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] The same veteran with a 100% disability rating would receive $3,106.04. Spinal stenosis can cause symptoms throughout the body. If your condition meets the listing criteria, it will automatically be considered a disability. Many people with spinal stenosis and other back injuries experience anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems. Your VA doctor may conclude that your spinal stenosis is service-connected because of this pre-existing whiplash and disk herniation. Table II - Ratings for Multiple Losses of Extremities With Dictator's Rating Code and 38 CFR Citation Note. 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 . However, these secondary service-connected disabilities are not cumulative. For example, if rheumatoid arthritis of the spine results in pain with motion, the condition will be rated according to the criteria set forth in 5003 as described above. If you believe your current spinal injuries are the result of military service, you could receive VA disability for spinal stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain, as well as weakness, numbness, pain and abnormal sensations in the buttocks, thighs, legs, calves, and feet. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. General VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Forums . Neck muscle injuries. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. Call (855) 873-2604 For a Free Evaluation of Your Spinal Stenosis Disability Case. Other back impairments have a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent or lower. Even if your diagnosis of spinal stenosis occurred after your honorable discharge, you may still be eligible for VA disability benefits if your spinal stenosis arose during your time in the military, but was misdiagnosed. 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. In a February 2007 rating decision, the RO granted service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. During the months after surgery, veterans are entitled to a 100% disability rating so they can recover from the procedure. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint. Both degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis, regardless of the joint affected, are rated under diagnostic code 5003. 100% VA disability rating for spinal cancer. 20 percent disability rating: $327.99 per month. But it can also be a result of a spinal injury. The ratings range from 10% to 60%. Registration is FREE of charge! Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions or extensions of muscles. This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense guidelines are based upon the best information available at the time of publication. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 That is, they get it wrong more than half the time. The diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. The only problem is that I have had spinal fusion on my lower back on oct 8 2008, I was faxing the DAV all my information as I would get it from the doctors. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! The rating will largely depend on whether you have lost range of motion as a result of stenosis. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 One common cause of foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy is a bulging or herniated disc. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the stenosis and which nerves are affected. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If two or more major OR minor groups are affected a 20% rating will be assigned if the arthritis is occasionally incapacitating. However, the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. The VA disability rating system for spinal stenosis is the same general formula as for other similar spinal conditions, including: If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, you will receive a disability rating between 0% and 100%. Lack of cartilage causes pain and limitation of motion. Disability Benefits by Percentage Rating and Dependent Status (As of 2020). 10 percent disability rating: $165.92 per month. REPRESENTATION. The VA awards disability ratings for incapacitating episodes as follows: You may be asked to take a compensation & pension exam (C&P exam). VA Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease Posted by Berry Law on June 18, 2018 in Veterans Benefits Military service can place an incredible amount of stress on the body. This occurs when the soft tissue discs between segments of the spine become displaced and are squeezed into the spinal nerve canal or into the ventral nerve roots. Free Disability Evaluation: Step 1. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. With extensive experience working with VA disability claims, Berry Law can help you with your disability appeals. Va rating of 60%. Finally, the general VA disability ratings table for spinal injuries and diseases allows ratings based on muscle guarding, muscle spasm, or tenderness in your back.

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