If you believe your current spinal injuries are the result of military service, you could receive VA disability for spinal stenosis. Gulf War Illnesses linked to Southwest Asia service | Veterans Affairs 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. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security 1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders - Adult Section 1.01 Category of Impairments, Musculoskeletal . Symptoms are similar to the symptoms involved with degenerative arthritis and include pain and swelling of the joints. These complications of stenosis are called. You should see a doctor if you are experiencing severe back pain, weakness, numbness or loss of control of an extremity, foot drop, bowel and/or bladder problems, or numbness in your saddle area. Conversely, when the lumbar spine (the lower section of the back) is affected, symptoms may cause pain and nerve sensations in the back, legs, and feet. These complications of stenosis are called secondary conditions, which may qualify you for a higher rating. With regard to the medical opinion, doctors must state that your condition is at least as likely as not due to your time in service. Its possible for rheumatoid arthritis to be rated under diagnostic code 5003 like degenerative and traumatic arthritis. The general rating formula for spinal stenosis and the other spinal conditions listed above is as follows: General Rating Formula Spinal Stenosis and Select Spinal Conditions. 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. Learn How Veterans Can Get VA Benefits for Back Pain When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine leads to neck pain, back pain, and sometimes causes pain to radiate into the arms and legs. Provide a current diagnosis of spinal stenosis, Present evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness, Obtain a medical opinion linking the in-service occurrence to their diagnosed spinal stenosis. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. Spinal stenosis caused by IVDS qualifies for a separate IVDS disability rating and you are entitled to the higher of the two ratings. Some joints are referred to as major joints, while others are referred to as minor joints. Extraschedular VA Disability Ratings For instance, which pages you go to most. 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. Phone: (757) 220-4529. Federal Register :: Schedule for Rating Disabilities; The Spine We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! 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. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. In fact, occasionally, the back pain associated with spinal stenosis may be dwarfed by the nerve pain experienced in the legs, feet, arms, and hands. In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, Once the VA has acknowledged that your disability is related to servicei.e. This is particularly true because nerve pain in the extremities can severely impact your earning ability. These secondary conditions would be rated separately from the underlying spinal condition. For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. 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. Cervical Spine Conditions - Entitlement Eligibility Guidelines The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. You may be owed compensation. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. For example, fractured and/or dislocated vertebrae can lead to pain and weakness in the arms, hips, shoulders, etc. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Hill & Ponton P.A. If a Veteran only has one joint group affected by arthritis then there must also be painful motion present in order for a rating higher than 0% to be assigned. The rating will largely depend on whether you have lost range of motion as a result of stenosis. VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. For example, if a Veteran has degenerative arthritis of the spine with no other joints affected, and he experiences pain when bending over he will receive a 10% rating. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Back Pain VA Rating: A Guide to Spinal Injuries - Hill & Ponton, P.A. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Spinal stenosis can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the location of the spinal stenosis and the compressed nerve. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain, as well as weakness, numbness, pain and abnormal sensations in the buttocks, thighs, legs, calves, and feet. Both degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis, regardless of the joint affected, are rated under diagnostic code 5003. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Our doctors know how service-connected disabilities work, so they know what to look for in your file. Full eligibility requirements Many people with spinal stenosis and other back injuries experience anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems. 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. For example, the specific code for degenerative arthritis of the spine is 5242. What Is Foraminal Stenosis And Can I Qualify For Benefits? Whether it manifests itself in your back or through nerve pain throughout your extremities, a VA attorney can help you to obtain the medical examination and collect the records to support your VA disability claim. As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. If your spinal stenosis was caused by another service-connected disability, you can apply for secondary service connection. A posterior spinal fusion of a segment of adjoining vertebra, prior to clinical onset only of Spondylolysis or Spondylolisthesis Posterior spinal fusion means a surgical procedure involving immobilization of the posterior elements of two or more vertebrae by the use of bone grafting, in the absence of immobilization of the lateral elements, of . These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. Spinal Stenosis & Qualifying for Social Security Disability For example, if your disability requires frequent hospitalization or substantially interferes with your ability to earn a living, you may request a special disability rating from the VA. Our VA Disability Lawyers talk about SMC (Special Monthly Compensation). We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. We have updated our Privacy Policy. If radiculopathy is caused by a low back condition, the individuals will feel the symptoms in the lower extremities (thigh, calf, foot). Back braces or corsets are $200 or more. Additional medical appliances may be required. However, Veterans can also receive disability compensation on a secondary basis. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve could then result in a 60 percent disability rating according to the social security administration. The closer you are to your normal retirement age, the more likely you are to qualify for disability benefits. Also, the VA requires that all ROM measurements be taken with a goniometer. Degenerative arthritis of the spine, sometimes referred to as facet joint osteoarthritis, causes a breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the back of the spine. The exact VA disability percentage for spinal stenosis that has caused a frozen spine depends on the position where the spine is frozen. Your final VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms, including Painful Motion, Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM), and Functional Loss or Impairment. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint. Since that time, we have provided compassionate How to Qualify for Disability Benefits With Spondylosis 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. Do you have a low back (lumbar) injury related to your military service? THE ISSUE. Diagnostic Code 5238 Cervical Spine Stenosis The spinal canal narrowing for one reason or another Diagnostic Code 5242 Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine Pain from the degeneration of the cervical vertebrae This rating criterion is primarily based on a range of motion measurements. If you have multiple disability ratings, we use them to calculate . Unfavorable means any position that is not 0 degrees in flexion or extension. VA Disability Benefits for Sciatica and Similar Nerve Conditions Yes, but you should talk to a VA Disability law attorney first. for L3 -L4 L4-L5 L5- S1 in the past they are rating as post operative residuals of . To continue receiving VA disability benefits, you should be compliant with these exams. So, spinal disabilities focus on the lack of mobility or range of motion. PDF VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Veterans looking to receive VA disability for spinal stenosis often develop the disability due to an injury to the spine. Yes No Does applicant expect to be out of work for at least 12 months? A, Oftentimes, spinal conditions will cause other conditions, and these conditions qualify a Veteran for another rating. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Spinal stenosis simply refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal which results in pain, weakness, and numbness when nerves are compressed. Fax: (757) 220-9451. 100% VA disability rating for spinal cancer. 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. For example, if your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging disc, dislocated vertebrae, or bone fragments, you may be able to identify an accidental fall, vehicle collision, or any other physical injury incurred during your military service that worsened your condition. If your spine is locked, but its in a favorable condition, your disability rating may be as low as 30% or 40%. 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. If spinal stenosis causes involuntary muscle reactions like these, a doctor can note them in your records and the VA can use them to arrive at a VA disability rating. Spine Condition Ratings. 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. However, the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of ratings - LII / Legal Information Institute Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Thus, when a bulging or herniated disc in the cervical spine region causes six weeks of incapacitating episodes per year, you would be eligible for a 60% VA disability rating for neck pain. The total ROM measurement is merely the sum of the individual ROM measurements for each of the spine segments. Canes range from $25 to $100 and walkers can be more than $200. Flexion measures 15 degrees or less, OR entire cervical spine is frozen in a favorable position. You can talk these problems over with your physician, as well. You could be entitled to $3,627 per month! Spinal stenosis in the neck can cause: Numbness Tingling or weakness in a hand, leg, foot or arm Problems with walking and balance Neck pain Problems with the bowel or bladder Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. Can I Get a Higher VA Rating for a Back Disability? You must have a positive imaging test (MRI, . The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. In that case, a lumbar spine and cervical spine frozen in an unfavorable position is given a VA disability rating of 100%. If you believe you may have been wrongly denied benefits, you may benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer. This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. Ratings will fall between 0% and 100% disability. I served during peace timein theArmy. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL. 4.71a Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis 70 Moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion 50 Minimum rating 30 5055 Knee replacement (prosthesis). Failure to address the symptoms will lead to a lifestyle filled with numbness, pain, and muscle weakness. Because c-spine stenosis is a degenerative illness, a person's condition will continue to deteriorate . You may also be able to show your spinal stenosis is service-related via a secondary service connection. They fought hard for me and got me more than I ever could dream of. Under the VAs rules, you can challenge a VA disability rating by asserting that the VA misapplied its schedule. Degenerative arthritis is the chronic breakdown of the cartilage surrounding the joints. Does Spinal Stenosis Qualify for Disability Benefits? 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. Acquired spinal stenosis is spinal stenosis due to cervical disc disease or cervical facet joint osteoarthritis. A single veteran with no dependents and a total disability rating of 40% would receive $627.61 per month, as of 2020. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. People with spinal conditions also often change how they walk to, If your spinal condition results in the development of a new disability or makes an existing disability worse, remember that you may be entitled to, In order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your disability claim, you need to understand how the VA rates your condition. The SSA has a specific disability listing for lumbar stenosis. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. Spine Condition Ratings Military Disability Made Easy It is the problems that may be CAUSED by Spinal Stenosis that are rateable. VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain and Spinal Arthritis. While we still have our home base in Florida, A 40% VA Rating for the Lumbar Spine - YouTube The Top 3 Spinal Stenosis VA Rating Tips Explained (Ultimate Guide) Most of the time, spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back and the neck. Want to know if you qu. A TDIU is an award of increased compensation. This is known as secondary service connection. This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. I want to thank Woods & Woods for not letting me give up. 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. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 Your call is always free, and we wont charge you until after we have won your case. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Some of the conditions included in this category are degenerative arthritis, traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. To provide even more value to our veterans, this page is only available with an All-Access Membership. You may also qualify for a 100% rating if your back injury renders you unemployable. Step 1: Make Sure You Pass All Technical Requirements for Disability Benefits. When the nerves are compressed, electrical signals passing along those nerves can become disrupted. Thank you so much Woods & Woods. One of the most common conditions secondary to spinal conditions is radiculopathy. 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. 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. There must be x-ray evidence of arthritis in the cervical or thoracolumbar joints for the VA to rate a spinal condition under the code for degenerative arthritis. 10 percent disability rating: $165.92 per month. In all other cases, the ROM measurements of the lumbar spine are rated separately from the ROM measurements of the cervical spine. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. Neck muscle injuries. In severe cases, or where the use of conservative treatment options just isnt effective for you, you and your doctors may consider surgery. It is rated under another diagnostic group. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Other causes of spinal stenosis may include: Arguably the most important part of the VA disability claims process is establishing service connection. Spinal stenosis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic However, you may get a 100% VA disability rating for up to one year after serious back surgery, such as a spinal fusion. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Specifically, VA rates spinal stenosis according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, outlined below: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Yes No The following percentages are available under the rating criteria for rheumatoid arthritis: Its possible for rheumatoid arthritis to be rated under diagnostic code 5003 like degenerative and traumatic arthritis. It will also help if someone else in your division remembers what happened. Entire cervical spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic low back pain from multilevel degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Muscle guarding occurs when muscles react to prevent pain or discomfort. When the spinal canal is obstructed due to spinal stenosis, abnormal narrowing occurs. Pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and loss of motor control are some of the symptoms of the condition. Stenosis can occur in the spinal column itself, or it can occur within the intervertebral foramen, which are the passages through which your nerve roots branch out laterally through the spine. Technically, the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 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. 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. It may result in a higher rating, and therefore a greater monthly disability compensation amount.