The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). Of course, a limited range of motion is not the only way to get VA disability for back problems. Ankylosis is what this is called when the bones do it themselves. Additionally, they must keep you from working for at least 12 months. Its usually performed when other treatment options, like medication and physical therapy, have failed to provide relief. The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). Gathering all of your medical documents that detail the development of your pain and symptoms should be your first step. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. If youre a veteran who has undergone spinal fusion surgery, you may wonder how the VA will determine your disability rating. If you cannot work or earn a living due to your condition, you may be eligible for a 100% disability rating. Nerve Pinches This condition occurs when too much pressure is applied on a nerve. 1115) Expand Table Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. Cervical spondylosis, or cervical osteoarthritis, is another serious medical condition that veterans suffer from. The VA calculates the amount of disability compensation according to how significantly a spine condition affects the range of motion. 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. 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. If you experience back or neck pain from sitting in a chair for too long, you shouldnt be embarrassed to apply for VA benefits. Lateral flexion is leaning right and left but rotation is also measured. Remember, if you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us for support. VA ratings for neck problems go up fast because so much goes on inside your cervical spine. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. #Evidence #VAClaims #VAAppeals #Tips #VADisability #Veterans #VARating #vadecision #VAClaim. we represent clients nationwide. However, that injury may accelerate the aging of your neck. They will also consider your age, education, and employment history. Other Conditions That Come With Fused Vertebrae. Abnormal contours can cause problems in digestion, breathing, circulation, bowel movements, and more. Asthma secondary to Depression. Unfortunately, constant changes to regulations have resulted in a process that can be confusing to many former service members. Rather, they are added using VA math. You might be able to lean right and left 30 just fine. If youre seeking a VA disability rating for spinal fusion as a result of spinal fusion surgery, you will need to provide certain pieces of evidence to support your claim. or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; . Most veterans with ankylosis dont get much over 50%. 100+ Most Common VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022) Anxiety secondary to Tinnitus. Unfavorable ankylosis is when your stuck bent over in any direction. Because so much goes on inside of your neck, the ratings for neck problems go up fast. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) is a disability in which parts of your spine break or move and put your nerves or other parts of your spine in the wrong spot. Does the veteran have muscle atrophy? When judging the veterans range of motion, doctors measure the maximum angle of movement before you experience pain. Neck Pain is the #5 most claimed VA disability. Specifically, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as follows: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine The older the veteran gets, the more of these they will have. These all involve the back bending in ways that it shouldnt. 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.. Its imperative to understand these ratings as they determine the benefits you are entitled to. More importantly, when both the lumbar spine and cervical spine are affected by spinal stenosis, the two may be . How the VA Rates Spinal Fusions VA ratings for spinal fusion follow the same process as other spinal conditions and are based on the range of motion defined in 38 CFR 4.71a. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The VA rates Cervicalgia under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, DC 5237, Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain (Neck Pain). While not all of these are exclusive back pains, they can all point to conditions in the spine that would warrant a higher VA rating. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The VA is required to give you the highest rating you deserve for your symptoms, so if a 50% Sacroiliac injury looks the same as a 30% rheumatoid arthritis claim, they are required to give you the 50%. Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, Establishing a Service-related Connection to Spinal Fusion, Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating 30-60%, Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating 70-100%. First, you need to know that the VA will not automatically give you a 100% disability rating just because youve had spinal fusion surgery. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. TDIU benefits are equivalent to those of a 100% disability rating and are awarded when one or more disabilities render a veteran unable to secure and keep substantially gainful employment. Your spinal discs are critical to the padding between your vertebrae. VA Ratings for Spondylosis. The favorable or unfavorable part refers to what position you are stuck in. Although its not always fast, sometimes it can spread within just a few months. You can enlist the help of an attorney or disability advocate. Where there are additional disabilities rated 50% or 100%, or anatomical or loss of use of a third extremity see 38 CFR 3.350 (f) (3), (4) or (5). Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. This is Favorable or Unfavorable Ankylosis. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE! But if you cant bend over the normal 90 or bend back the normal 30, you are already getting close to that 120 total. The main determining factor is how much of a Range Of Motion (ROM) you have. Neck pain can also be caused by pinching from disc compression or the growth of osteophytes. ), Disabling spinal contours like being hunchback or kyphosis. 10% - forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Neck conditions typically affect the cervical spine, which consists of seven bones (vertebrae) that are separated by intervertebral discs. All Rights Reserved. First, You will need a current diagnosis for a spinal condition that necessitates spinal fusion as treatment. 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. Note that a veteran is eligible to be rated for both a neck condition, back condition, and Radiculopathy secondary to multipole extremities. Maybe. You dont want to miss out on the full benefit that you deserve. Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Spondylosis is rated as a back condition, meaning it can be rated using any diagnostic code between Diagnostic Code 5235 and Diagnostic Code 5243. . Repetitive Strains These injuries can cause aching, cramping, pain, throbbing, and tingling in the upper back. If yes, document the Veterans description of the flare-ups he/she experiences, including the frequency, duration, characteristics, precipitating and alleviating factors, severity, and/or extent of functional impairment he/she experiences during a flare-up of symptoms. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, Favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Regardless of the veterans current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)? Surgeries, such as spinal fusion, discectomy, and laminectomy; . To establish service connection for spinal fusion, the VA requires the following three elements: Service connection can be granted for a disability resulting from an injury during service, an incident during service that aggravated an existing condition, or exposure to a known hazard during service. Every back pain claim should be reviewed as a possible TDIU claim. The quick and intense movement can traumatize the surrounding muscles and tendons, resulting in cervical strain. Veterans are exposed to numerous events which can cause lasting neck injuries. Muscle guarding is a reflex of your muscles to tense up in anticipation of something. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. This injury can even require surgery to relieve the pain. In general, the more supporting evidence you can provide, the better. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. If abnormal ROM, does the range of motion itself contribute to a functional loss? There must be clear evidence that the veterans pain causes functional impairment or loss. #10. Your final rating for spinal conditions (neck, upper back, mid back, lower back) depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms to include Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Painful Motion. If you arent using a certified VA disability lawyer like Woods and Woods, make sure you, your VSO, or your friend at the American Legion dont overlook that point. A Goniometer should be used at your C&P exam to measure Range of Motion (ROM) of your spine; each measurement is rounded to the nearest five degrees. This is because the VA will only pay benefits for injuries that occurred during or as a result of military service. VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain and Spinal Arthritis If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. That sounds like your lower back has to move less than 30 in each direction since 30+30+30+30=120. Contact us today for a free review of your case to make sure you are getting treated fairly by the VA. Getting the Highest VA Rating for Arthritis, VA Disability for Arthritis in the Neck and Back, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months, With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months, With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the past 12 months, With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than 2 weeks during the past 12 months.
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