spinal stenosis va disability rating

document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Spinal stenosis is most commonly experienced in the neck and lower part of the back. It will also help if someone else in your division remembers what happened. The VA will use a series of diagnostic codes for areas of the spine. bulging, herniated, or degenerated disc and request a re-calculation, Get Our Team Started Reviewing Your Case for Free Today, you should talk to a VA Disability law attorney first, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Woods and Woods fought hard for this Army Veteran. Abnormal growths can form inside the spinal cord, within the membranes that cover the spinal cord or in the space between the spinal cord and vertebrae. It is possible to have your rating lowered if you happen to do better on another C&P exam, so discuss your case and your condition with a VA attorney first. You may qualify for VA disability compensation if you have an illness linked to Gulf War serviceoften called Gulf War Syndromein Southwest Asia, including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. Think of the first number as an identifying diagnostic code that tells you what joint is affected, while the second diagnostic code tells you the rating system the condition is being rated under. For example, if your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging disc, herniated disc, or other degenerative disc condition, you may get a better rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). At these exams, you can expect your doctor to ask you questions about your background and medical history, evaluate your symptoms and range of motion. This type of rejection can sometimes be overcome if you can point to a specific incident that worsened your condition. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. Stenosis can occur in the cervical or c-spine (neck) and lumbar (lower back) areas of the spine. The total ROM measurement is merely the sum of the individual ROM measurements for each of the spine segments. The disability rating may be even lower depending on the segment of the spine that is frozen. Case Info Step 2. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in New York, New York. The spine is considered as a minor joint. Appellant. In some cases, the VA may help veterans get surgery to treat spinal stenosis. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 These are periods of acute pain severe enough for a doctor to proscribe bed rest. The VA not only makes mistakes in evaluation the severity of a condition, but sometimes they evaluate a condition according to the completely wrong rating criteria. Spinal stenosis is typically diagnosed with x-rays or MRIs of the spine showing a narrowing of the spinal canal. 30 percent disability rating: $508.05 per month. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security 1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders - Adult Section 1.01 Category of Impairments, Musculoskeletal . Errors are frequently made when rating conditions. A VA lawyer can run through all the scenarios with you for obtaining a fair VA disability rating that reflects the ways spinal stenosis affects you. The exact VA disability percentage for spinal stenosis that has caused a frozen spine depends on the position where the spine is frozen. Do you have a low back (lumbar) injury related to your military service? The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. 4.71a Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. According to Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space where the nerves run through your spine, causing pain by putting extra pressure on these spinal nerves. More importantly, when both the lumbar spine and cervical spine are affected by spinal stenosis, the two may be separately rated unless both are frozen in an unfavorable position. means your spine is locked in a position that is something other than vertical. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? The cervical spine (neck) and the thoracolumbar spine (low back) are rated according to the following criteria: Flexion 45 degrees, OR combined ROM 340 degrees, Flexion 90 degrees, OR combined ROM 240 degrees, Flexion between 30 and 45 degrees, OR combined ROM between 175 and 340 degrees, Flexion between 60 and 90 degrees, OR combined ROM between 125 and 240 degrees, Flexion between 15 and 35 degrees, OR combined ROM 170 degrees, Flexion between 30 and 65 degrees, OR combined ROM 120 degrees, Flexion 15 degrees, OR entire cervical spine is frozen in a favorable position, Entire cervical spine is frozen in an unfavorable position, Flexion 30 degrees, OR entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable position, Entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in an unfavorable position, Entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. Prosthetic replacement of knee joint: For 1 year following implantation of prosthesis 100 you viewed to avoid repetition. 14K 1,344 9. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. Technically, the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. Spinal stenosis is a disabling condition caused by the narrowing of the gaps between individual spinal vertebrae. Surgery can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000 with a microdiscectomy or discectomy being the least expensive and spinal fusion costing the most. Acquired spinal stenosis is spinal stenosis due to cervical disc disease or cervical facet joint osteoarthritis. Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. I was injured in Iraq on Nov 19 ,2007, I filed my claims when I got home from Iraq, the V/A called me yesterday and told me that I got a 60% rating for. As of December 1st, 2022 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. Secondary service connection occurs when a service-connected disability causes another disability. Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. When rheumatoid arthritis affects the spine, it typically occurs in the cervical spine (the neck) rather than the thoracolumbar spine (the low back). The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many, Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes destruction of the joints in the body. If your service-related stenosis causes a secondary condition, that condition would be rated separately by the VA. In all other cases, the ROM measurements of the lumbar spine are rated separately from the ROM measurements of the cervical spine. To establish service connection, veterans must generally do the following: Evidence to support your VA disability claim may include military personnel and medical records, lay testimony, and medical opinions. As mentioned above, many different joints are rated under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis. If the entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position, the disability rating may be as high as 100%. Other back impairments have a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent or lower. At Hill & Ponton, we have helped thousands of veterans successfully resolve their disability claims with the VA. For a free, confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your case, contact us today. If your spine is locked in an unfavorable position, you may qualify for a relatively high disability rating as high as 100%. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. If you believe you may have been wrongly denied benefits, you may benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer. Congenital spinal stenosis is present at birth as a normal variant in the population or due to congenital conditions. However, Veterans can also receive disability compensation on a secondary basis. Depending on what joint is affected, there will be an identifying diagnostic code assigned to the condition. If your spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis is service-connected, or if your condition was aggravated because of your military service, you may qualify for VA disability compensation. As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. If you are suffering from the effects of Spinal stenosis you may qualify for disability benefits. I was medically retired from active duty Army in January of 2016 with a rating of 80% for a variety of things. It may also cause bladder and bowel issues. As evidenced by the rating schedules below, the only back condition eligible for a 100 percent schedular rating is unfavorable ankylosis (immobility) of the entire spine. If radiculopathy is caused by a neck condition, the symptoms will be felt in the shoulder and can travel down the arm and into the hand. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. Table II - Ratings for Multiple Losses of Extremities With Dictator's Rating Code and 38 CFR Citation Note. You may be owed compensation. For example: Suppose you were diagnosed with whiplash as a result of a Humvee accident while you were in the service. have the greatest impact on the veterans ability to work. Yes No This can severely affect your movement and eventually takes a toll on your ability to move. Already working with us? If a doctor doesnt use a goniometer to measure your ROM, In addition to the ROM measurements, the general rating criteria for spinal involves whether the cervical and/or thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable vs. unfavorable position. VA physicians will measure your range of motion in six places, using a goniometer. Spinal stenosis can cause symptoms throughout the body. These two types of spinal stenosis can be summarized as follows: Some people with spinal stenosis do not exhibit symptoms. When these lateral nerve roots become compressed, it can disrupt the signals passing from your brain and spinal column out through the nerve roots to your arms, legs, and other parts of your body a condition called foraminal stenosis, which can cause radiculopathy. This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. If the arthritis does not cause any episodes of incapacitation, but 2 or more joint groups are involved, then a 10% rating will be assigned. The VA awards disability ratings for incapacitating episodes as follows: You may be asked to take a compensation & pension exam (C&P exam). Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Vertebral fractures and dislocations (diagnostic code 5235). In severe cases, doctors may recommend surgery to relieve the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis. Both of these must be true: You have a health condition that's caused by exposure to Agent Orange, and You served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange Keep reading for the full eligibility requirements. A 2019 Inspector General report found that the VA processed the majority of the 62,500 spinal injury claims decided in the first half of 2018. The information you obtain on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Both upper (cervical) and . These mistakes cost veterans at least $5.9 million in payments over the period studied. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] If these conservative options dont get results, your doctor may recommend injecting a corticosteroid into your spine, which can give you relief for a few days or weeks. VA Disability Claims List: What Conditions Can Veterans Claim? That is, your stenosis wasnt diagnosed at the time, but it likely came about as a result of an injury or illness that has been established as service-connected. VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain and Spinal Arthritis. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. A veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. For example, PTSD can lead to sleep apnea. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 Call 512-454-4000 for help today. have been offered surgery and epidurals havent decided yet but if anyone can weigh in on this.. if you have spinal stenosis DDD DJD hypert,etc are you suppose to file a claim for each one separately? In order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your disability claim, you need to understand how the VA rates your condition. For example, fractured and/or dislocated vertebrae can lead to pain and weakness in the arms, hips, shoulders, etc. You must have a positive imaging test (MRI, . When pursuing a VA disability rating for back pain, its important to know your options. You cannot do your prior occupation, and; You are unable to keep and maintain a job in the greater national economy due to your service-connected disability. Oftentimes, spinal conditions will cause other conditions, and these conditions qualify a Veteran for another rating. The VA disability rating system for spinal stenosis is the same general formula as for other similar spinal conditions, including: If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, you will receive a disability rating between 0% and 100%. There are two types of spinal stenosis treatment: surgical and non-surgical. Spinal stenosis can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the location of the spinal stenosis and the compressed nerve. If your case of spinal stenosis does not result in limits on your ROM, you may receive a low VA disability rating even though your condition interferes with your quality of life and earning capacity. When spinal stenosis manifests in the form of back pain and a frozen spine, obtaining a fair VA disability rating for spinal stenosis is primarily a matter of obtaining accurate ROM measurements of the cervical spine and lumbar spine. For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. Berry Law is a team full of Veterans, with attorneys from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. This can sometimes be difficult to establish. These types of lawyers have experience dealing with the laws and rules that govern the VA and may have ideas and suggestions for increasing or challenging your VA disability rating. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. All but 10% of lumbar IVDS is at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 level. Another way to connect your disability to your service is to show that you had been diagnosed with spinal stenosis prior to your service, and the condition worsened during your service. General VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Forums . Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 For example, 5241 spinal fusion VA rating and 5238 spinal stenosis VA rating are calculated entirely on the range of motion (ROM) of your back even though spinal fusion and spinal stenosis are very different conditions. Were You Denied VA Disability Benefits for Spinal Stenosis? These cookies do not store any personal information. When rheumatoid arthritis affects the spine, it typically occurs in the cervical spine (the neck) rather than the thoracolumbar spine (the low back). Contact Info Is applicant currently receiving Social Security benefits? You may also be able to show your spinal stenosis is service-related via a secondary service connection. VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. which may qualify you for a higher rating. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Back braces or corsets are $200 or more. document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) PTSD Lawyers | Berry Law Firm. If your MRIs dont show a significant stenosis, but you are experiencing severe back pain that still inhibits your ability to work, and you have. SSA will consider disability claims for degenerative disc disease that are supported by medical evidence such as: Physical examination for type and location of pain, range of motion, nerve function, sensation, and muscle strength, with a full review of the entirety of symptoms Diagnostic imaging tests (such as MRI, CT scans, and x-rays) Its never too late to apply for VA benefits. Updated: August 3, 2020. The VA not only makes, Both degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis, regardless of the joint affected, are rated under diagnostic code 5003. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. 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. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you may be able to file for a permanent spinal stenosis disability. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. 20% Spinal Stenosis VA Rating This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. How to Appeal a Denied Veterans Disability Claim Since that time, we have provided compassionate Many people with spinal stenosis and other back injuries experience anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems. As mentioned above, spinal stenosis is typically diagnosed with x-rays or MRIs that show a narrowing of the spinal canal. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Most of the time, spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back and the neck. Examples of secondary conditions that may arise as complications of stenosis include radiculopathy, neurogenic bladder, and knee and hip problems caused by walking difficulties due to stenosis. Later you develop a spinal stenosis in your neck (cervical) area. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. As discussed above, nerve pain in the leg may be diagnosed as a leg injury rather than spinal stenosis. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve could then result in a 60 percent disability rating according to the social security administration. A very common impairment caused by this nerve compression is sciatica. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic low back pain from multilevel degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Fill out the short form below to contact us. The ROM measurement is the maximum angle that you can move in each direction before reaching your physical limits or experiencing severe pain. Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Spinal Injuries, Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits, VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). VA Disability Rating for Spinal Stenosis Depends on Range of Motion Spinal stenosis can arise from both degenerative conditions (such as arthritis, bulging discs, and herniated discs) and physical injury, such as bone fragments, dislocated vertebrae, or swollen tissues. Thank you so much Woods & Woods. Lumbar Stenosis Symptoms Numbness or tingling in your arm or leg, weakness in your arm or leg, pain or cramping in your legs when you walk, and back pain. Lumbar IVDS accounts for 62% of all disc disease. So, spinal disabilities focus on the lack of mobility or range of motion. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. The sum of all these degree measurements together is called the ROM (range of motion) measurement. A TDIU is an award of increased compensation. It results in chronic pain, numbness, and weakness in your body. For instance, which pages you go to most. With this in mind, its important to know which spinal conditions are not rated under the general rating formula. It can cause muscle weakness and pain or cramping extending from the buttocks down through the leg. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. IVDS is rated under diagnostic code 5243, and the rating criteria relies on the number of incapacitating episodes and how much bed rest the veteran's physician prescribed within the last year. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. If you are concerned that your VA disability percentage for spinal stenosis fails to account for the extent of your disability, you may wish to speak to a VA benefits lawyer. Because the rating formula is almost entirely based on ROM measurements, its important to make sure that a doctor performs ROM testing as accurately as possible. This metric is used in calculating your VA disability rating. If the condition is not severe enough to meet the above criteria, then the VA rating for back pain / arthritis will be based on specific symptoms. Spinal conditions can cause nerve problems as well. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Many people only think about their medical issues when applying for Social Security disability. Some of the most common disabilities Veterans have are the result of injuries to their back, especially those related to the spine. To collect VA disability compensation benefits, you must show that your spinal stenosis disability claim was caused or aggravated by your military service. A single veteran with no dependents and a total disability rating of 40% would receive $627.61 per month, as of 2020. At Hill & Ponton, we have helped thousands of veterans successfully resolve their disability claims with the VA. For a free, confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your case, total disability individual unemployability, Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis, Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability, Why you may need a veterans disability attorney. The spinal cord can be squeezed causing pain and numbness in the back or weakness in one or both legs.