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. You should consult with your doctor if you are experiencing back pain to find out what is causing it and how it is affecting you. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. This uneven shift in weight may then contribute to complications in your lower back. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. These ratings will be based on evidence from medical professionals, a VA claim exam, and information collected from other sources including federal agencies. 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. 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. hay fever). 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. 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. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. Pain in the low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), or neck (cervical), depending on where the affected disc is, possibly even radiating to the legs, arms, and hands (Radiculopathy). In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. The VA will examine your DDD in order to determine if it is connected to your service. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones,fused together to form the Coccyx . If this is the case, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability . As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. In most cases, veterans will have to provide evidence of the following three elements of their service connection in pursuing compensation: Its been demonstrated that veterans who were exposed to the environmental hazards from open-air burn pits are at higher risk for developing allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory conditions so, to your advantage, that is a known fact. 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. An examination by VA must confirm the limitations of motion in the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion. 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. Your VA disability rating for back injury or spine injury will depend on which code the condition falls under. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. This can put pressure on the nerves around the disc and cause pain. If you are disabled at home or at work, you can achieve a disability rating regardless of where you are stationed. Accurate Measurement of Limitation of Range of Motion. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. 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. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! For instance, which pages you go to most. Pain that worsens when sitting (while seated, the discs of the lower back have 3x more load on them than when standing). Have you been in the military and now suffer a severe spine or back-related injury? Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as. It states that your degenerative disc disorder needs to have caused a compromised nerve root of the spinal cord or you need to provide proof that the root compression causes spinal pain, restricted spinal movement, a reduction in motor function and muscle weakness including loss of reflexes and touch. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? VAs own clinical guidelines advise VA physicians to encourage patients with low back pain to remain active, and that remaining active is more effective than resting in bed for patients with low back pain. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. Call Us. This means that 30% of veterans who are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease receive a disability rating from the VA. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. Can you claim VA disability for degenerative discs? Yes, retrolisthesis can be considered a disability by the SSA. The inflammatory proteins within the disc space can contribute to the progression of disc degeneration over time. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. In this situation, a VA RO will contact you to schedule the exam. 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. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. The discs between your vertebrae will lose their cushioning and begin to fragment, often causing them to herniate. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? These tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. Receive answers to more of your VA disability claim questions. Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pain caused by wear-and-tear on a spinal disc. The spine consists of four primary regions from yourneck down to your buttocks and pelvic area . Any limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) should be measured with a Goniometer by the medical professional at your VA C&P Exam for Back Pain. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be a sign of possible nerve damage. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. 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. For some, asthma may be a minor nuisance. 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. Because DDD often does not appear noticeably during a soldiers time in the military, it can be difficult to recognize the condition in its early stages. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. 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. Another secondary condition that can develop is spinal stenosis. Military burn pits are large areas of land that were used by the United States military to incinerate waste in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan in the post-9/11 era. VA rates degenerative disc disease under38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, diagnostic code 5242. Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. 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. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent . It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. This happens when the soft, inner part of the disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathyin more detail. Because the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine talk about flexion, which is the act of flexing or bending. Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. This condition causes the discs between the vertebrae to lose their proper cushioning, fragment, and herniate. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. The VA assigns each applicant a disability rating based on the severity of the service-related condition. The term degenerative disc disease is used to describe spinal disc changes that occur over time as one ages. You can live a normal life with the help of some pain relief techniques and a little effort. So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating 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. 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. 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. Slouching and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of degeneration of the discs in the discs. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. Water loss and disc damage gradually leads to thinner and weaker discs that cannot effectively cushion the vertebrae. It is frequently caused by things like incorrectly lifting heavy objects, as well as chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.