To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Our team of experts, doctors, and orthopedic specialists are here to share their knowledge and experience with you in order to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. 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. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. 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. 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. 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). Since that requires you to show that you have no range of motion (i.e., you cannot move your back), it can be very difficult, and you have to show why your back condition severely limits you. In addition, numerous research studies have shown a link between Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy; there is a strong bidirectional relationship where each disorder adversely influences the other one. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. 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. When a herniation of the disc occurs as a result of degeneration, it is the most common surgical treatment for this condition. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. You May Like: What Is Long Term Disability Insurance. Your VA disability rating for back injury or spine injury will depend on which code the condition falls under. Asthma symptoms will vary from person to person. 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. Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . You May Like: Do Disabled Veterans Pay Federal Taxes. We have helped thousands of clients nationwide fight for the disability benefits they deserve. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. The spinal disc is made up of a soft disc that separates your vertebrae and serves as a shock absorber in your spine. If you are facing difficulties getting a fair disability rating from the VA, our firm can assist you. You may have questions like, what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. Common Signs and Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: Basic Eligibility Criteria. The last lumbar vertebra articulates with thesacrum. A medical connection linking your diagnosed allergic rhinitis. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. Is It Hard to Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease? Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. 5001 Bones and joints, tuberculosis of, active or inactive: Active 100 Inactive: See 4.88c and 4.89 5002 You may also qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. Pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the extremities. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? Feeling better while walking or even running than while sitting or standing for long periods of time. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. For veterans, the average rating ranges from 10% to 20%. Does Degenerative Disc Disease Qualify For Disability Many veterans suffer from various back conditions due to their military service to include Degenerative Disc Disease. Can I Receive VA Disability Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure? 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. In general, the ratings for spine conditions are based on range of motion. Degenerative disc disease is a condition that develops and progresses over time. Many Veterans may not even realize that their degenerative disc disease is service-related. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. March 23, 2019 Updated: June 21, 2022 What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. If youre having difficulty with DDD, talk with a doctor or veterans service officer to learn more about your rights and benefits. Questions for those familiar with spinal issues and ratings 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. Target Leave And Disability Reedgroup Com, Jailbreak Disabled Iphone Without Losing Data, What Happens If You Become Disabled While On Social Security, Complete the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or lost, Official records of a herniated disc during active duty, Medical evidence from private doctors linking the current diagnosis to an in-service injury, disease, or event that has been at least as likely as not caused the current condition. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. 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? This condition can flare up in a few days to a few weeks, causing lasting pain. Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Secondary Service Connection for Herniated Discs The maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease VA compensation is 20 percent without any additional . . Veterans Serving Veterans 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. For example, DDD can lead to other conditions among veterans, such as: You can file a disability claim for any secondary symptoms or conditions caused by your service-connected degenerative disc disease. With age or trauma, the intervertebral discs lose their water content, leaving the discs more prone to tearing or damage. The TDIU rating gives the same amount of disability benefits as the 100% rating but does not require the full 100%. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. Check out our Google reviews. You should exercise on a regular basis if you have this pain. With IVDS, these discs may be displaced at the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic areas of the spine. confirm with the actual CFR for VA disability ratings but this one has seemed to be very accurate with it. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for an asthma condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. It can be difficult for veterans to satisfy this rating criteria because modern medical practices no longer call for bed rest to treat IVDS. Disabilities of the Spine - Veterans Appeals It can also cause tingling and numbness in the upper and lower extremities. It is a disease that occurs as a result of the degeneration of the discs in the spine. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. Most Common Back Pain VA Claims and Ratings Among Veterans. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Are you a veteran suffering from degenerative disc disease? This information is not a substitute for legal advice. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. Weakness is as important as limitation of motion, and a part which becomes painful on use must be regarded as seriously disabled. Some veterans and active duty military members suffer from spinal or back pain after being discharged or while still serving. Have you received a VA disability claim denial? Have you been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease? 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. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. Smoke from military burn pits have had both short- and long-term health effects on those exposed. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Water loss and disc damage gradually leads to thinner and weaker discs that cannot effectively cushion the vertebrae. 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! They all go together, so make sure you work with an experienced lawyer to get ratings for all of them.