For back pain, you are going to get rated based on pain and flexion. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. There are a lot of other back conditions that can get you a higher rating and therefore more money per month from the VA. Back pain is also a general term without a diagnosis, so you probably wont get a permanent rating. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Radiculopathy is a broad diagnosis for the symptoms from a pinched nerve root at the spinal column base. Incomplete paralysis can be determined as severe, moderately severe, moderate, or mild with disability ratings as low as 10 percent. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body. However, its important to note that if a mental disorder or another condition is present thats additional to the sciatica condition (and not caused by it), then that problem can also be rated. It causes symptoms that spread out from the back down 1 or both legs. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! This may also apply if you had existing radiculopathy that was made worse during your time in the service. partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve, a 60% rating will be given. Other key evidence may include a medical experts professional opinion that the service-connected condition (low back strain, for example) caused the radiculopathythus indicating a secondary service-connected disability. To succeed with this service-connection claim, a vet must show a current medical diagnosis of radiculopathy that is linked to the in-service occurrence of the radiculopathy, or an in-service incident that caused or aggravated the radiculopathy. I have dental care because Woods & Woods fought for me until they got Unemployability pay for me of 100%. Secondary service connectionis when a veterans service-connected condition causes or aggravates a non-service-connected condition, andVAthen grants service connection for the secondary condition. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about SMC and how you can actually get more than 100% of your VA disability benefit money. If your neck crunches or grinds when you turn it in a different direction, make sure your doctor listens to those sounds. Common examples of back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations. Also, explain what you cant do because of that numbness. Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8520, Neuritis of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8620, Neuralgia of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8720, Issues with the VA Rating System for Sciatica, Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick For Help with Your Sciatica Benefits, Sciatica VA Disability Claims and Ratings, Top 20 VA Disability Claims and Their Ratings, 10 Most Common Disabilities for Veterans and How Theyre Rated. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. Youll need evidence of trouble at work if you want to move this claim closer to a 100% TDIU rating. I suffer from many health issues due to the trauma that happened to me in 1980. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on May 7, 2020 by Mike Woods Last Updated on September 6, 2022. along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back 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? For radiculopathy specifically, youll be rated on neurological symptoms. VA Disability Claims Involving a Nerve Condition (Pt 1) See the above sectionSecondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. The nerve is occasionally or consistently painful and it can include a tingling or numbness. Please complete this form to send us your message. impossible. Dont hide anything and be explicit and detailed about what hurts and what is numb. you viewed to avoid repetition. When one is suffering from severe but If you dont have a service-related back condition, dont worry because you may still be able to get your sciatica service-connected. Some conditions involve hospitalization or consistent medical care, such as an at-home nurse, for example. He can now file a claim with VA for secondary service connection for his radiculopathy since it was caused by his degenerative disc disease. Thank you so much Woods & Woods. Heres a tip: after checking where youd be ranked under sciatica code, check whether you have limited motion of your hip, knee, or ankle. If you need helpclaiming benefitsfor sciatic nerve issues, you believe you received an unfairly low rating, or your claim was denied, were here to help. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve may lead to a 60 percent disability rating. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) - Compensation Learn how VA rates Veterans' nerve conditions and nerve damage (such as peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, radiculopathy, retinopathy) for disability benefits,. If you cant stand at work because your legs go numb or if you cant lift weights at the factory because you cant lift your arm, be sure to say that in detail and get it on the record at your exam. Incomplete, moderately severe paralysis is rated 40%. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. added to your overall combined rating for Sciatica. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Keep track of how often and how severe your episodes are. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. given based on how severe, moderately severe or extremely severe a condition VA Disability for Radiculopathy // Appeals, Claims, Denials - Vet You are not alone! Perhaps you already had a health condition when entering the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and it was aggravated during your active duty service. Sciatica ratings are usually based on whether the sciatica is mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease - Hill & Ponton, P.A. A herniated disc in this region can cause pain that radiates down one or both arms. causes moderate symptoms, it is rated 20%. 20%. Examples of in-service incidents may include: Veterans do not necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. Both! Often, those who experience sciatica have dull back pain and a sensation of an electrical current zapping them in their legs. VA Disability Benefits for Sciatica and Similar Nerve Conditions We have updated our Privacy Policy. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. suffering from Sciatica include: When one is suffering from sciatica, one TDIU can be awarded on a schedular or extraschedular basis. To qualify for the next level up, you need to meet all the criteria of one category. Lower back pinched nerves are the most common type and even have sub-classes of diagnoses. When it comes to requesting benefits from the VA, sciatic nerve conditions such as sciatica are ranked in three different categories established on the degree of severity of symptoms. Can My Disability Rating Be Reduced By The VA? If you are suffering from neuritis, the highest Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. For direct service connection, you should prove the three elements: A current, diagnosed sciatica condition An in-service situation or event that may have caused or contributed to your problem These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. Remember, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, so be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for a medical opinion. 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. Doctors look at your back in three sections. To prove service-connection for radiculopathy, a veteran must show a current medical diagnosis of radiculopathy that is linked to the in-service occurrence of the radiculopathy, or an in-service incident that caused or aggravated the radiculopathy. This could help you gain a higher rating. Veterans who do not meet the schedular requirements may still be considered for extraschedular TDIU under 4.16(b). Youll move your head forward and backward like you are looking up and down. Increasingly, the examiners useDisability Benefits Questionnaires, which independent medical experts can also fill out. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Neuralgia cannot be rated higher HIRE THEM! Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy VA Benefits - Woods and Woods, LLC Also, have your boss (or especially your ex-boss if you got fired!) your nerves, will also be tested. Neck pain is a cervical spine problem. Those with lumbar radiculopathy will be rated within the group of peripheral nerves of the low back and legs. Paralysis is the most severe classification, followed by neuritis, and then neuralgia. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. How Do I Establish Service Connection for Sciatica? These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. will usually find that: VA disability ratings for Sciatica fall under one of the following codes from eCFR, Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Code 8520: For sciatica, for example, in radiculopathy of the lower back, the VA appliesrating criteriaspecific to the sciatic nerve (diagnostic code 8720), and assigns a disability percent rating on whether the neuralgia is moderate or mild. Sciatica can be incredibly difficult to live with and in severe cases can cause difficulty in walking and paralysis. rated 10%. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Thoracic radiculopathy is going to be a lot scarier but wont affect you in the same way. Nerve issues are rated by VA under three separate categories that are based on symptom severity. Usually, sciatica only alters one side of the body. However, if your condition is not as However, the criteria listed here can also be subjective. VA outlines TDIU regulations under 38 CFR 4.16. As such, veterans living with sciatica may have trouble with many activities of daily living, including working certain jobs. When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. However, if your sciatica is moderate or These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. While the injury is in the back joints, the symptoms show up in your hands and feet. 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. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Secondary VA Claim Radiculopathy is a very important "secondary VA claim." Radiculopathy Disability for Veterans When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. Each of these severities has their own diagnostic code and separate assigned percent ratings under 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings - neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] The different nerves in your back are grouped together and carry different VA rating schedules. How to Make the Most of Your 0% Benefits If you've gone through the VA claims process and received a 0 percent VA disability rating, you may be disappointed by the outcome. While you should tell the C&P Exam doctor every detail of your symptoms. Damage to one or more of these discs can cause compression to a nearby nerve root. If you cant feed yourself, you would be closer to the 50-70 level and maybe even qualify for Aid and Attendance. Yes, any injury that happened during your active duty, even when you were on leave or even playing basketball on the base, is service-connected. Pain or numbness can even come and go as you take deep breaths or physically exert yourself. Sciatica (Lumbar or Sacral Radiculopathy) | Michigan Medicine neuritis. Incomplete, mild paralysis is Once it ends, then the 100% rating will be used for a certain timeframe. Sciatica/Radiculopathy C&P : r/VeteransBenefits - Reddit TDIU is a more complex process than just one disability most of the time, so youll have to present your full case to the VA. Lumbar is the region of your lower back all the way down to your tailbone. VA Disability Ratings for Nerve Damage | CCK Law Sciatica itself actually refers to a symptom rather than a specific disease. Radiculopathy Secondary to Back Disabilities; . currently suffering from the condition. 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. Specifically, the veteran's radiculopathy affects the veteran's sciatic nerve. Keep in mind that a VA rating for radiculopathy is normally determined as a secondary condition, contingent on another spinal disability. Crepitation is the medical term for these sounds. spinal nerve causes pain to develop on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. This. In fact, over two million veterans suffer from nerve damage. In addition to secondary service connection, veterans may also be able to seek service connection through aggravation. To understand this condition, it helps to understand the parts of the spine: Vertebrae. When Sciatica is severe, it can even lead In mild cases, symptoms but not significant impairments exist. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. order to receive the compensation that you deserve. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Secondary VA Claim - Radiculopathy - Combat Craig If there is a big bad disability that will get you more money per month, youd want that instead. Nerve damage can be difficult to deal with and often leads to a decrease in What is the VA disability rating for Sciatica? Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve is pinched or pushed on from a disc. VA Disability for Nerve Damage and Nerve Conditions - YouTube This condition is commonly caused byback conditionssuch as herniated discs, stenosis, and bone spurs. technician to determine the underlying cause of your sciatica pain. It can be hard distinguishing between the three categories and degrees of severity to understand your nerve ratings. also be made much worse after sneezing or when one makes unexpected movements determined, a physical exam will them be completed by a state certified