Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. The VA could assign you a herniated disc disability rating from 10% to 100%. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of degenerative disc disease. If so, then you need the help of an experienced attorney. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. If there is a service-connected connection between the impairment and service time, a military member may be eligible for disability benefits. 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. 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. This pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. For example, if a Veteran experienced 4-6 weeks of incapacitating episodes in the past year, they can receive a 40% bulging disc VA disability rating. Additionally, surviving spouses, dependent children, and dependent parents of veterans who were exposed to herbicides (such as. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. 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. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that refers to the breakdown of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. 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. In this case, if the Veteran develops DJD in any other joint in the future, that joint is automatically subject to service connection. There is no maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as the condition is not considered to be a service-connected disability. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. 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. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. For some, asthma may be a minor nuisance. An attorney can help you find the evidence you need to make your argument. It is a common VA disability claim for disability caused by a disabling disc disease. 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. The VA assigns each applicant a disability rating based on the severity of the service-related condition. 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. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Disability ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings indicating more severe symptoms. In 20% of cases, the condition causes spinal stenosis, but 80% do not. Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . The intent of the schedule is to recognize painful motion with joint or periarticular pathology as productive of disability. A VA Disability Lawyers role is to assist you throughout the confusing and often frustrating appeals process if you have been denied benefits for your service-connected back pain. Because the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine talk about flexion, which is the act of flexing or bending. Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. The use of a goniometer in the measurement of limitation of motion is indispensable in examinations conducted within the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is no doubt that DDD can be a serious and debilitating condition, and you must seek proper care. Sometimes the VA Regional Office (RO) will request you attend aCompensation and Pension (C&P) examto assess your degenerative disc disease. 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. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 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. This allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. To be eligible for disability benefits for a herniated disc, you must have a current diagnosis of the condition and meet the eligibility criteria for VA disability benefits. The painful motion principle means that regardless of range of motion, if pain is present, the claimant should at least be awarded the minimum level of disability for that condition. Our legal team can provide you with quality and experienced representation that is going to help you receive the benefits you deserve. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. These examples of functional impairment can limit a veterans daily activities, quality of life, and ability to work. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. To recover service-connected compensation disability benefits for degenerative disc disease, you must meet a certain threshold required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 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. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. It is very common to receive only a 10 or 20 percent rating for neck or back conditions. In most cases, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, combined with the limitations on range of motion, to issue a disability rating. Due to the extra bodily wear and tear brought on by What is Degenerative Disc Disease in Veterans? How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! Muscle atrophy must also be accurately measured and reported. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. However, more commonly, veterans are able to achieve a 100% rating through a combination of back and neck injury ratings and other conditions. The examiner will also often ask about the pain levels associated with your condition and what symptoms you experience. Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. 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. In grade 1, the nucleus and nave are clearly distinguished; in grade 2, there is no horizontal band; and in grade 3, there is blurring between the nucleus and nave; in grade 4, the nucleus and nave are clearly distinguished; and. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. 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. Fighting insurance companies and the VA is what we do 24/7. 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits: Understand Your Claim Options, Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals, Camp Lejeune Justice Act Toxic Water Claims. The effects of DDD can be severe on a disabled Veterans family and finances. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent . Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. Instead, many Veterans start to deal with more severe symptoms of DDD years after they have retired from the military. Just fill out the form and we. The VA rating for radiculopathy in the lower back will be based on symptoms felt in their lower limbs, such as feet, calves, or thighs. 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. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. For example, a Veteran with mild degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while a Veteran with severe degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 100 percent disability rating. 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. It is not enough for the examiners to simply say that a veterans DDD is due to natural progression and aging. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. 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. You may because back disorders are tricky. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. It is essential that the examination on which ratings are based adequately portray the anatomical damage, and the functional loss, with respect to all these elements. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. If so, you may need help acquiring the benefits you need. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Review your medical records with a doctor familiar with VA law to get the best rating. Schedule a Free Consultation. Knowing how VA ratings for degenerative disc di. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. We have updated our Privacy Policy. 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. If you have a disc problem, you may require surgery to replace it or to fusion your vertebrae. A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. This evidence will show that you are suffering from degenerative disc disease due to conditions on the job. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. Also Check: This Device Is Disabled Code 22. Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. You may have questions like, what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? What is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? 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. It sounds like this may have been an interpretation of an MRI that you had. Finally, in the absence of limitation of motion, a veterans degenerative disc disease VA rating will be as follows: When assigning a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, VA must consider both anatomical damage and functional loss. Do You Deserve a Higher VA Disability Rating? Disability due to diseases (such as arthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease, or . What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65, Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. Many factorscan lead to DDD, including heavy lifting, family history of spine problems, or spine injury. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. This can put pressure on the nerves around the disc and cause pain. Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis include: Veterans may develop this condition as a result of their active-duty military service, and they may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Do you wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? If you have received a VA disability claim denial, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law can step in to help you appeal your claim. If youre trying to increase your VA disability rating for Degenerative Disc Disease, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant a higher rating by law.