The VA will examine your DDD in order to determine if it is connected to your service. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Your VA disability rating for back injury or spine injury will depend on which code the condition falls under. 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. 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. Veterans who struggle with mobility or chronic pain may be unable to find work. Though back and neck conditions both stem from the spine in most instances, VA rates them as separate disabilities. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. Just fill out the form and we will forward what benefits the VA is paying for a chronic sinusitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. With IVDS, these discs may be displaced at the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic areas of the spine. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. 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. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. Medical professionals call this 'radicular pain.' Phone: (866) 282-5260 Fax: (727) 571-1415, Attention: Did you or a family member live or work at. When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. The VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is typically found in the lower back or neck. Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. There are different levels of pain associated with degenerative disc disease. 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. confirm with the actual CFR for VA disability ratings but this one has seemed to be very accurate with it. (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. The breaking open of a spinal disc is called a prolapsed or herniated disc. It is particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Cervical Spine Conditions - Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines DOC 4 - Veterans Affairs Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. Find Out How To Qualify for Disability with Degenerative Disc Disease What is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? 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. Degenerative disc disease symptoms vary depending on the person. 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. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veteran's mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. They can range from dull nagging pain to severe disabling (sharp or throbbing) pain. How Does the VA Evaluate Degenerative Disc Disease? If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by an allergic reactionto specific allergens (e.g. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. Your final VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms, including Painful Motion, Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM), and Functional Loss or Impairment. To help the VA determine VA disability ratings for back pain, a compensation and pension exam is usually required. However, there are other conditions you need to meet before you can submit an application for disability benefits. Eczema-type symptoms (e.g., dry, itchy skin), An in-service event, injury, or illness; and. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. If that same veteran has limited ROM to rate for 10% in the low back and the cervical spine is this 10% or 20%, because 10% for low back and 10% for cervical ROM. Is Degenerative Disc Disease A Va Disability - Brandon Orthopedics VA Disability Ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) | CCK Law (2022) Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. However, looking back on your time in the military, you may be able to quickly recall situations that may have led to chronic back and spine problems: Recommended Reading: Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. Orthopedic conditions are typically categorized as those that impact the musculoskeletal system. . The functional loss may be due to absence of part, or all, of the necessary bones, joints and muscles, or associated structures, or to deformity, adhesions, defective innervation, or other pathology, or it may be due to pain, supported by adequate pathology and evidenced by the visible behavior of the claimant undertaking the motion. 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. In this situation, a VA RO will contact you to schedule the exam. The doctor must perform a goniometer test on you to determine your ability to move. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. For example, the VA compensation exam for lower back pain might include a disability benefits questionnaire . Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. 1115 ) Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? 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. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. However, getting these benefits is often challenging. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. When the discs degenerate or break down, they can no longer perform their function properly. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. We have helped thousands of clients nationwide fight for the disability benefits they deserve. Specifically, exposure to the toxins released can affect a persons lung health. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate.Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family. Persistent and recurring symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease (Severity of Symptoms), Difficulty walking because of a limited line of vision, Restricted opening of the mouth and chewing, Breathing limited to diaphragmatic respiration, Gastrointestinal symptoms due to pressure of the coastal margin on the abdomen, Alantoaxial or cervical subluxation or dislocation, Neurologic symptoms due to nerve root stretching, Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Business. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. 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) If a veteran can prove that their service-connected spinal condition was the primary cause of the secondary condition, they may qualify as having a secondary service-connection condition. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. In fact, physicians have often held that such long durations of bedrest can actually do more harm for disabilities of the spine than they can help. While the ROM test is the primary factor in determining VA ratings for back and spine conditions, there are also other portions included in the C& P exams. 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. The remaining 70% do not receive a disability rating. 5.4k views Answered >2 years ago. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be required to relieve pressure on the disc. If you developed degenerative disc disease as a result of military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. In more severe cases, Degenerative Disc Disease can cause weakness, numbness, and shooting or throbbing pain in the arms or legs, which is a painful condition knows as Radiculopathy. Degenerative disc disease is classified as a Musculoskeletal disorder by the VA. VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease Explained (The 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. Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits - YouTube In this case, if the Veteran develops DJD in any other joint in the future, that joint is automatically subject to service connection. 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%. 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. Furthermore, Depression is one of the most common comorbidities in veterans with chronic low back pain. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. Others develop a more serious condition DDD , which is a lifelong condition that has the potential to cause significant disability. We are an online blog dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information about orthopedics and injury prevention. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. If you do not attend, your claim will likely be denied. Other requirements are the presence of spinal arachnoiditis which causes inflammation of one of the nervous systems membranes which means you need to reposition yourself at least every two hours. Depending on the number of joints affected, VA rates degenerative disc disease between 10% and 20%. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. Chat with Us. You may be eligible for a secondary service connection if your degeneration of your disc progresses over time. 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. The spine can affect every other part of your body. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Most Common Back Pain VA Claims and Ratings Among Veterans. However, you may experience some numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. Part of aging is disk deterioration; however, it does not cause pain in everyone. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also known as IVDS) is a back condition involving the intervertebral disc or disc fragments. In the United States, 15% of women experience pelvic pain for more than six months. For degenerative disc disease, a Veterans Disability rating of 10% to 20% is typically assigned by the VA. An all-timer rating of 100 percent must be obtained before the VA will declare a veteran incapable of working. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. Some waste materials commonly disposed of in these burn pits include: Many veterans who were exposed to burn pits during their service and developed chronic sinusitis may be able to seek service connection benefits under this new presumption. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. This can make breathing difficult and result in coughing and wheezing when you breathe out, as well as shortness of breath. Fighting insurance companies and the VA is what we do 24/7. 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. Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate. 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. This means that 30% of veterans who are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease receive a disability rating from the VA. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. That formula actually covers both the cervical and thoracolumbar parts of the spine. Common orthopedic conditions impacting veterans include neck pain and low back pain. What is Retrolisthesis and Can I Qualify for Disability Benefits? VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease - Hill & Ponton, P.A. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should befor the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. For example, if you have a service-connected knee condition that causes you to favor one side when you walk, you may develop an altered gait. Keep in mind that that rating can be increased if there is a herniated disc or a bulging disc that causes a doctor to prescribe bed rest, specifically six weeks or more over a year's time period. In many cases, Veterans with DDD are denied benefits or given low disability ratings. Our legal team can provide you with quality and experienced representation that is going to help you receive the benefits you deserve. 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. what is the va disability rating for degenerative disc disease - tCubed For some, asthma may be a minor nuisance. Do You Deserve a Higher VA Disability Rating? Some veterans and active duty military members suffer from spinal or back pain after being discharged or while still serving. 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. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. The TDIU rating gives the same amount of disability benefits as the 100% rating but does not require the full 100%. For a free consultation, contact our nationally recognized law firm today at (866) 282-5260. 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. We help disabled veterans nationwide. Call today! 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. If degenerative arthritis is established by X-ray and is accompanied by satisfactory evidence of painful motion, it will be rated no less than 10-percent. Common Signs and Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: Basic Eligibility Criteria. To get TDIU, you may prove why your service-connected condition prevents you from working. You can file a claim with CCK today at 800-544-9400 if you claim for benefits after being denied by the VA or the DWD. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). Other neck conditions have maximum schedular ratings of 40 percent or lower. Degenerative Disc Disease, Back Pain & Social Security Disability It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. Service Connection However, if VA examiners arrive at this conclusion, they must provide adequate rationale to support their determination. ELITE Success: Its Never Too Late to Get Correctly Rated, How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children, Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu, Make sure to click the link to sign up for updates. However, the path to getting these benefits is often filled with obstacles. This evidence will show that you are suffering from degenerative disc disease due to conditions on the job. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. Bulging discs are rated based on the number of incapacitating episodes that have occurred due to the disability. Just fill out the form and we. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease.