You will need to provide medical evidence that your retrolisthesis meets the SSA's definition of severe and will . This allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. Sciatic neuritis is not uncommonly caused by arthritis of the spine. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). These cookies collect information about how you use our website. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. 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. Fighting insurance companies and the VA is what we do 24/7. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. Additionally, the rating criteria does not take other symptoms or daily limitations into account, such as difficulty sitting, standing, lifting, or bending. 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. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. Many Veterans may not even realize that their degenerative disc disease is service-related. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. You must also provide evidence that shows a service connected disability to your military service. Your symptoms can also get progressively worse over time. Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. The term degenerative disc disease is used to describe spinal disc changes that occur over time as one ages. 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. This is where a VA-approved medical professional will perform a comprehensive physical and verbal examination then write their opinion on your condition. An attorney can help you find the evidence you need to make your argument. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. 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. This condition necessitates that people avoid activities that are too heavy, such as running, jumping, and lifting heavy objects. The process to receive approval for these benefits is often tedious and frustrating. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate.Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family. That formula actually covers both the cervical and thoracolumbar parts of the spine. If you have a disc problem, you may require surgery to replace it or to fusion your vertebrae. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease 10% to 100%, Common VA Secondary Conditions to Degenerative Disc Disease, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): VA Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. In this post, we will be exploring how to get aVA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. Diagnostic codes 5235 through 5243 of 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System are dedicated to back and neck pain. Call Us. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. 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. hay fever). However, individuals with degenerative disc disease may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if their condition prevents them from being able to work. In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. This condition causes the discs between the vertebrae to lose their proper cushioning, fragment, and herniate. If the disability criteria do not accurately reflect your disability level, you may be assigned an extraschedular rating. 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. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. A nexus is the direct link between a disability, either physical or psychological, that a Veteran suffers from and their time in the military. 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? 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. Degenerative disc disease may also qualify as a secondary service-connected disability or one that developed as a result of a service-connected injury. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. 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 Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. It mostly occurs in your lower back or neck. DDD can also cause radiculopathy, herniation discs, neurological impairments, and spinal stenosis, in addition to other conditions. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. 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. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? The limitation of range of motion principle is arguably the most important principle that applies to VA disability ratings for back pain and Degenerative Disc Disease. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? 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 this is the case, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability . Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family history of spine problems, or spine injury. The degenerative process of the spinal disc can begin gradually or abruptly, but it can progress for up to three decades, during which time the spine is restabilized, and pain is reduced or eliminated. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. Many veterans experience chronic or worsening pain after they leave active duty. VA Claims Insider Testimonial: Elite Success Story Dons been through a lot. One of the most common symptoms of degeneration of the disks is back pain. The people serving in our military work hard. The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. 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. Check out our Google reviews. The VA often describes this connection as a nexus. 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. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It 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). These codes guide the VA on how to rate your disability at a certain percentage level based on specific symptoms. These include aging, injury, and genetics. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. It is particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. A medical diagnosis of degenerative disc disease from your doctor; and. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent . It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Ill also reveal 3 new insider tips to increase your VA Rating for Degenerate Disc Disease, even if youve already filed or been denied. #1. Fixed movement of the entire spine qualifies for a 100% rating. 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. A veteran receives a 100% rating if their entire spine is immovable because of a back injury. Have you received a VA disability claim denial? Make sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? 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. A spinal fusion procedure is usually performed in order to relieve pain and allow the spine to heal.