A nexus is the direct link between a disability, either physical or psychological, that a Veteran suffers from and their time in the military. 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. If your degenerative disc disease develops over time, you can file a claim for secondary service connection when necessary. To qualify for TDIU, you must show that your condition prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Systemic DJD occurs when the Veteran gets a diagnosis of DJD in service (or within one year after release from active duty) when there is no record or evidence of trauma to the joint. Service Connection 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. degeneration of the disc between the vertebrae is the cause of DDD. 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. 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. Thinner and weaker discs often lead to back pain, muscle weakness, and pinched nerves. Certain spinal conditions can lead to other conditions that can be claimed for an additional rating. They all go together, so make sure you work with an experienced lawyer to get ratings for all of them. For degenerative disc disease, a Veterans Disability rating of 10% to 20% is typically assigned by the VA. An all-timer rating of 100 percent must be obtained before the VA will declare a veteran incapable of working. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. What is Limitation of Range of Motion for VA Degenerative Disc Disease? However, if the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved isnoncompensable(i.e., 0 percent disabling) under the appropriate diagnostic codes, a rating of 10 percent will be applied for each major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion. Can You Get Disability For Bulging Disc - DisabilityTalk.net 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. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. 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. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? There is no cure for degenerative disc disease, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. Degenerative disc disease is known to be a condition that develops over time. Whether from the physical rigors of combat, from the psychosomatic effects of stress and anxiety on the body, or from other factors, many soldiers can leave their time in the military with a wide range of physical problems. If a veteran can prove that their service-connected spinal condition was the primary cause of the secondary condition, they may qualify as having a secondary service-connection condition. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. 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.. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and application for changes in benefits Most Common Back Conditions Veterans Experience & Their Ratings, VA Claims for Hip Pain Secondary to Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Most Common Back Pain VA Claims Among Veterans, 3 Common Back Conditions Veterans Experience, Secondary Conditions to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) for VA Disability, A current diagnosis of DDD by a medical professional; and. 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. The sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting thespine to the pelvis. In some cases, a surgical procedure may be required to relieve pressure on the disc. The practitioner will assess how far you can bend and flex your joints during the range of motion C& P exam. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. 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 tasks can place extreme amounts of pressure on your body. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. While the ROM test is the primary factor in determining VA ratings for back and spine conditions, there are also other portions included in the C& P exams. Chronic sinusitis occurs when youir sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment. Generally, you need to be denied at least once before an attorney can assist, but once a lawyer is involved they will often be able to quickly determine what needs to be done in order to prove entitlement. If you are already a veteran, you can submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim. Knowing how VA ratings for degenerative disc di. Is It Hard to Get Disability 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. Schedule a Free Consultation. 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. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. It is possible for migraines to develop as a result of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of disc deterioration in the spine. 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). DOC 4 - Veterans Affairs If there is a service-connected connection between the impairment and service time, a military member may be eligible for disability benefits. These can last from a few days to a few months before getting better. Call today! Sciatic neuritis is not uncommonly caused by arthritis of the spine. Make Today The Last Day You Worry About Your Disability Claim. Degenerative disc disease is the result of disc degeneration in the spine. The formula that VA uses to rate back disabilities with a diagnosis code between 5235 and 5242is the same. 100 Percent VA Disability Benefits: Understand Your Claim Options, Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals, Camp Lejeune Justice Act Toxic Water Claims. Call our law firm, toll free at 800-562-9830 or contact us . 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. Sharp and radiating pain in the back, arms, legs or shoulders that may worsen with certain activities, even something as simple as coughing or sneezing, Weakness, fatigue, or loss of reflexes in the arms or legs, Numbness or tingling of the skin, pins and needles, or other abnormal sensations in the arms or legs. There are a few ways that veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain (Cervicalgia), Cervical Spine Pain, & Neck Arthritis The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) views conditions of the spine through two main categoriesneck and back. 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. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? In fact, physicians have often held that such long durations of bedrest can actually do more harm for disabilities of the spine than they can help. Bulging discs are rated based on the number of incapacitating episodes that have occurred due to the disability. It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix it. There is no doubt that DDD can be a serious and debilitating condition, and you must seek proper care. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. This condition is rather common and typically interferes with the way mucus drains, causing your nose to be stuffy. List of Common Veterans Administration Abbreviations, CIGNA / New York Life Disability Insurance, Disability and Life Insurance Claims FAQs, VA Service Connected Disability Claims FAQ, Life Insurance and Accidental Dismemberment FAQs, process of recovering VA disability benefits, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, The VA TDIU Approval Rate and Claim Appeal Options. 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. Approximately 30% of American adults experience back pain at some point. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times, such as when exercising, or you may have symptoms all of the time. Medical professionals call this 'radicular pain.' By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. With IVDS, these discs may be displaced at the lumbar, cervical, or thoracic areas of the spine. This is where a VA-approved medical professional will perform a comprehensive physical and verbal examination then write their opinion on your condition. This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. Sometimes degenerative disc disease is accompanied by varying levels of pain. Yes, Degenerative Disc Disease is a VA disability and can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100% depending upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, caused by an allergic reactionto specific allergens (e.g. In 20% of cases, the condition causes spinal stenosis, but 80% do not. This uneven shift in weight may then contribute to complications in your lower back. Men and women like you often perform strenuous tasks, including running, jumping, and lifting. However, looking back on your time in the military, you may be able to quickly recall situations that may have led to chronic back and spine problems: Recommended Reading: Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. 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. According to VA, if degenerative arthritis is established by X-ray findings, the veterans condition will be rated based on limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved. Lay evidence that you had the condition while in service. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. Degenerative Disc Disease is one of the most common causes of low back (lumbar), mid back (thoracic), and neck pain (cervical) in veterans. VETERANS: Parachutists have special evidence for claims Va Disability Rating For Degenerative Disc Disease