Veterans must present a current diagnosis, a document detailing an in-service event, and a medical nexus that connects the current diagnosis to the in-service event or cause. There must be clear evidence that the veterans pain causes functional impairment or loss. Unfavorable ankylosis can result in symptoms such as: Veterans may find themselves dealing with back pain during their enlistment, or it could develop months to years after their separation from the armed forces. Nerve Pinches This condition occurs when too much pressure is applied on a nerve. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. If youre a veteran who has undergone spinal fusion surgery, you may wonder how the VA will determine your disability rating. VA Disability Rating For Spinal Fusion (2023 Guide) It is better for your health to be diagnosed with favorable ankylosis but if you are diagnosed with unfavorable ankylosis, youll get more money to help you out. The Relationship Between Spinal Fusion and Veterans, How Spinal Fusion Can Increase Your VA Disability Benefits, Conditions That Qualify for VA Disability Benefits, Qualifying for a Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating, How the VA Determines Disability Rating for Spinal Fusion Surgery. Spondylosis is rated as a back condition, meaning it can be rated using any diagnostic code between Diagnostic Code 5235 and Diagnostic Code 5243. . Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Injuries such as radiculopathy dont depend so much on the pain in your back as they depend on the paralysis in your hands and feet. At VA Claims Insider, we help you understand and take control of the claims process, so you can get the rating and compensation youre owed by law. One of the nice things about these VA ratings is that they do not require you to have pain, radiculopathy, stiffness, or even aches. If you experience back or neck pain from sitting in a chair for too long, you shouldnt be embarrassed to apply for VA benefits. Unfavorable ankylosis is when your stuck bent over in any direction. Asthma secondary to GERD (acid reflux or heartburn) Asthma secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. United States. VA Disability Rating for Spinal Fusion Explained | CCK Law If youre applying for VA disability benefits and youve had spinal fusion surgery, you should definitely include that information in your claim. Your spinal discs are critical to the padding between your vertebrae. When judging the veterans range of motion, doctors measure the maximum angle of movement before you experience pain. Any sorts of spine surgery while in the service, injuries that affected your back like falls or impacts, and events like car wrecks can all point to spine and back service-connected injuries. There are a lot of things like falls, impacts, heavy lifting, and other activities that can be service-connected to your injury. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. It can include your diagnosis, independent medical opinion, medical records, and written statements from friends or family members. Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully-developed claim (FDC)so you can increase your rating FAST! Foramen are the openings between discs. Cervical spondylosis, or cervical osteoarthritis, is another serious medical condition that veterans suffer from. These diagnosed and service-connected disabilities can get you a higher rating. An injury or being in a long-term sedentary state can aggravate your joints and make them fuse together. Although this benefits some veterans, it also increases the amount of evidence required to link the pain to the in-service event. This means that your VA disability rating for neck pain will likely not be the primary rating involved in your TDIU, but it may supplement another more severe condition. If youve been diagnosed with any of these conditions and your doctor has recommended spinal fusion surgery, you may be eligible for a VA disability rating. Does the veteran have muscle atrophy? Does the veteran have any additional contributing factors of a neck and shoulder disability? Neck Conditions: How To Get VA Disability - The Veterans Law Office For example, if you also have arthritis, the VA might factor that into your rating. You're not alone. A soldier who has Cervicalgia may be able to get compensation from the VA in one of these ways: If a normal spine rating indicates a grade of 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent, and neck discomfort (neck pain) is classed as a secondary service link, the patient . Unfavorable Ankylosis does bring in higher VA Ratings than favorable. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Hire a VA disability lawyer to help you determine whether or not a secondary condition is eligible for VA service connection. Back Pain VA Rating: A Guide to Spinal Injuries - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 This level is basically less flexion: 30-60 of flexion for the lower to the middle back and 15-30 for your neck. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Successful spinal fusion results in the stoppage of motion at these places with the potential use of plates, rods, and screws, providing the patient with stability and back pain relief. Asthma secondary to Allergies. Veterans who have had spinal fusion surgery are potentially eligible for VA benefits relating to the spinal fusion. When determining your rating, the VA will consider your entire medical history, not just your spinal fusion surgery. Spinal Stenosis VA Disability Benefits - Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans 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. It is better for your health to be diagnosed with favorable ankylosis but if you are diagnosed with unfavorable ankylosis, you'll get more money to help you out. VA Ratings for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Secondary conditions such as an altered gait, trouble eating, or difficulty swallowing can also contribute to a higher VA disability rating. 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. Even after you get your rating decision, run it by some certified VA lawyers to catch any mistakes the VA made with your records. Receiving a 20% disability rating for spinal fusion means that your range of motion is significantly reduced. For example, the following Diagnostic Codes (DC) from 38 CFR, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities apply: These six neck and back conditions can often lead to pinched or damaged nerve roots, which can cause significant pain known as Radiculopathy. This prevents pinched nerves, slipped discs, and other IVDS problems. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain | The Tuley Law Office VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain Explained, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease, pick-up the phone and call the VA health facility nearest you, CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim. Getting Disability for Cervical Neck Fusion You may qualify for Social Security disability benefits for your cervical neck fusion or impairments. VA Disability Claims (General) > Cervical Fusion. It depends on several factors, including the specifics of your surgery, your post-operative course, and whether you have any other disabling conditions that contribute to your overall disability rating. In most cases, the spinal cord is damaged but still intact so the individual merely loses some However, the spinal cord can sometimes be severed completely or traumatized by gunshot wounds, serious falls, and car accidents. Common ailments that may necessitate spinal fusion include: Before understanding how VA ratings for spinal fusion work, you will first need to understand how to connect the spinal fusion to a service-related injury to be eligible for VA benefits. C&P exams are typically carried about by a VA physician or other VA-approved health professional. This is Favorable or Unfavorable Ankylosis. The goal of the surgery is to stabilize the spine and relieve pain. Any injury that is documented while an individual is enlisted is eligible for service connection. 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 Rating. You have no range of motion. Youll be measured at your C&P exam to see how much you can bend at the waist and at the neck. Veterans are exposed to numerous events which can cause lasting neck injuries. If yes, document the Veterans description of functional loss or functional impairment in his/her own words. Sometimes neck injuries do not cause a problem at the time of the incident. Additionally, thoracolumbar combined movement should be less than 120, and cervical combined movement should measure less than 170. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. The difference is almost $2,700 per year! Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Here one of our VA disability lawyers goes over the questions Woods and Woods, The Veterans Firm, is often asked about veterans disability claims and appeals. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! 50% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. You might wonder whether or not a veteran can get increased disability benefits from the VA due to spinal fusion surgery. VA ratings for neck problems go up fast because so much goes on inside your cervical spine. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 They will then remove any damaged or diseased tissue between the vertebrae. Regardless of the cause, VA disability for neck pain is awarded to those injured while serving. Muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height. Spinal fusion can happen naturally or surgically. Neck conditions typically affect the cervical spine, which consists of seven bones (vertebrae) that are separated by intervertebral discs. Combined Range of Motion vs Flexion of 60%, Muscle Guarding and Abnormal Curves of the Spine, We know VA Disability Law can be a Pain in the Neck, More about VA Disability for Spine and Back Pain, 38 CFR 4.71a Schedule of ratings musculoskeletal system, Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! That means, depending on your pain and other symptoms, you can have full movement without rotation in your lower back and still be eligible for a 10% VA rating. The rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. The VA only gives a 50% rating if you have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. There are 3 primary ways a veteran can get a VA Rating for Cervicalgia: If youre already service connected, and youre trying to increase your VA disability rating for neck pain, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant the higher rating by law. The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. After all these assessments, the test practitioner will send VA an opinion about whether or not they believe your condition is related to your time in the military. The problem is when this happens just by walking, sitting, or moving around normally. What is the Reasonable Doubt Rule for Neck and Shoulder Pain? Share. Youll want to try your hardest, but be honest with the doctor about where you feel pain or numbness in your arms and legs. A current diagnosis of a back condition that necessitates a spinal fusion, A medical nexus (i.e. 1115) Expand Table Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. 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. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on October 15, 2019 by Neil Woods Last Updated on January 10, 2023. IVDS can also cause nerve pain in the legs and arms, depending on where the . Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 You actually cant get VA Disability for DDD. #21. Neck pain is known to cause migraines, sleep issues, and radiculopathy. Its imperative to understand these ratings as they determine the benefits you are entitled to. Pro Tip:In accordance with the Painful Motion principle, if you have pain upon flexion or extension of your neck or shoulder, the VA is required to award the minimum compensable rating for the condition, which is 10%.
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