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 pressure can cause you to suffer from a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a spinal condition that can cause severe pain. Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. Let us prove to you that no one will work harder to win your case than Tucker Disability Law. 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. Approximately 30% of American adults experience back pain at some point. A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current diagnosis. Essentials on VA Disability Ratings for Bulging Disc 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. Walking or swimming is an appropriate form of exercise that is low-impact. Degenerative disc disease is classified as a Musculoskeletal disorder by the VA. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service It is particularly difficult for people under the age of forty, as well as those under the age of fifty. 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. 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. It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix it. Contact us to take advantage of our free consultation. VA determines a disability rating based on the severity of symptoms, but anatomical damage and functional loss are also considered. It can also result in numbness and tingling in the upper or lower extremities. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. 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. Degenerative disc disease is a term used to describe the changes in the spinal discs due to age and/ or injury. 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? Asthma is a condition in which your air passageways swell and narrow and may produce extra mucus. We help disabled veterans nationwide. Therefore, VA must determine if the veteran is eligible for a rating higher than the ones set forth by the rating schedule. 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. The VA will consider factors such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking to determine the veterans disability rating. 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). This article will only focus on the portion of that formula that relates to the thoracolumbar spine. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. In this case, if the Veteran develops DJD in any other joint in the future, that joint is automatically subject to service connection. The VA uses Diagnostic Codes (DCs) to rate disabilities. 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. The VA rates degenerative disc disease by assigning a disability rating based on how the condition is impacting the Veterans ability to function. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . 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. You May Like: Do Disabled Veterans Pay Federal Taxes. 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. Others develop a more serious condition DDD , which is a lifelong condition that has the potential to cause significant disability. An examination by VA must confirm the limitations of motion in the presence of swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion. Waste materials commonly disposed of in these burn pits include: Many veterans who were exposed to burn pits during their service and developed asthma may be able to seek service connection under this new presumption condition related to burn pit exposure. Our attorneys will use our expertise to help you fight for your benefits. Include. what is the va disability rating for degenerative disc disease - tCubed This condition is rather common and typically interferes with the way mucus drains, causing your nose to be stuffy. 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. In this way, your DDD was caused by your service-connected knee condition, warranting secondary service connection. 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. You May Like: What Is Long Term Disability Insurance. He or she will gather evidence that proves the VA came to the wrong conclusion. When the discs degenerate or break down, they can no longer perform their function properly. However, more commonly, veterans are able to achieve a 100% rating through a combination of back and neck injury ratings and other conditions. 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). Smoke from military burn pits have had both short- and long-term health effects on those exposed. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Va disability rating for degenerative disc disease - HealthTap Secondary Service Connection for Herniated Discs The maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease VA compensation is 20 percent without any additional . Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. Intervertebral disc syndrome is a common cause of back pain. 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. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. DDD may cause pain to some extent, but obtaining disability benefits can be difficult. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. I have radiculopathy for spinal fusion, can I get benefits for degenerative disc disease too? Degenerative Disc Disease & You VA Claim - VA Disability Advocates Blog VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney. These include aging, injury, and genetics. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. 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. Many toxins from these burn pits were released into the air, including volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, dioxins, and furans. Heavy lifting, family histories of back problems, and spine injuries are just a few of the factors that contribute to DDB. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Just fill out the form and we will forward what benefits the VA is paying for the allergic rhinitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. Generally, some of the more common symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease include: To be eligible for a Degenerative Disc Disease VA rating, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law: If you think you have a back condition such as Degenerative Disc Disease, but dont have a medical diagnosis,pick-up the phone and call the VA mental health facility nearest youto make an appointment right away! Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. Do you wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? Some of which are listed below: Diagnostic codes 5242 and 5243 are reserved for arthritis and spinal disc conditions. Slouching and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common causes of degeneration of the discs in the discs. radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence, frequency, mental health conditions, and so on are examples of secondary conditions and complications. In the long run, the disc can become compressed, resulting in an extremely painful condition. Doctors seldom check a patient's ability to stoop, bend, or crouch during an examination, and yet bending, stooping, and crouching are the three primary nonexertional limitations that disability examiners look for when they evaluate the RFC of applicants with degenerative disc disease. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide - Berry Law This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateralinvolvement when bilateral, combine with application of the bilateral factor. This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. Degenerative disc disease (DD) can only be diagnosed if you have a doctors examination of your body. To receive an extraschedular disability rating, you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50% maximum. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? All Rights Reserved. When evaluating a spinal cord-related disability, the VA is required to take into account both anatomical damage and functional loss. Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common causes of low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), and neck pain (cervical) in veterans. With over 30+ years experience winning cases, the attorneys at Tucker Disability Law have built a reputation for excellence, hard work, and always standing by our clients. 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.

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