spinal stenosis va disability rating

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. . 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. Contact a VA attorney who can assist you wherever you live and without regard to whether you were deployed. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes destruction of the joints in the body. This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. we represent clients nationwide. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? The effects of spinal stenosis, whether they manifest themselves in the back or elsewhere, can be the basis of a VA disability rating for spinal stenosis. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 Both degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis, regardless of the joint affected, are rated under diagnostic code 5003. Oftentimes, spinal conditions will cause other conditions, and these conditions qualify a Veteran for another rating. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. However, you may get a 100% VA disability rating for up to one year after serious back surgery, such as a spinal fusion. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic low back pain from multilevel degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. VA disability rating rules treat all forms of spinal stenosis the same way, with the cause being irrelevant to the actual VA disability rating for spinal stenosis. Traumatic arthritis occurs after an injury, excessive movement, or other physical trauma. 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. Spine Condition Ratings. Does Spinal Stenosis Qualify for Disability Benefits? Evidence of diagnosis of your spinal stenosis while you were in the military; Information about an occurrence or an incident that occurred while you were serving led to the injury or aggravation of this injury; Medical nexus a medical description that connects the diagnosed stenosis with the particular occurrence that is said to lead to it. But it can also be a result of a spinal injury. 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, Your spinal stenosis may be accompanied by other back conditions, including, Lumbosacral or cervical strain (diagnostic code 5237) used to refer to neck or, Spondylolisthesis/segmental instability (, Ankylosing spondylitis (diagnostic code 5240) a painful type of spinal arthritis. That is, they get it wrong more than half the time. 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. Va rating of 60%. If left untreated, spinal stenosis may cause permanent numbness, weakness, balance problems, incontinence, and/or paralysis. As of December 1st, 2022 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. THE ISSUE. The small openings in your spine are called foramen, and nerves pass through the foramen from your spinal cord into the rest of your body. You may be eligible for VA disability benefits if you meet both of these requirements. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices For example, if rheumatoid arthritis of the spine results in pain with motion, the condition will be rated according to the criteria set forth in 5003 as described above. 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%. Its possible for rheumatoid arthritis to be rated under diagnostic code 5003 like degenerative and traumatic arthritis. The disabilities we propose to add are: spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the central spinal canal that causes pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, most commonly due to degenerative arthritis or degenerative disc disease) (diagnostic code 5238), spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (slipping of all or part of one vertebra forward . Trouble walking, and loss of bowel or bladder control may also result. For a Veteran to get a disability service connected, they must: If a Veteran can prove all three elements listed above, they should be given a disability rating by the department of Veterans affairs. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. However, the VA disability rating for spinal stenosis is calculated exactly the same as other spinal diseases and injuries. For example, if the spine is frozen tilted to one side or leaning forward, that would constitute an unfavorable position. Some of the most common disabilities Veterans have are the result of injuries to their back, especially those related to the spine. A. found that the VA processed the majority of the 62,500 spinal injury claims decided in the first half of 2018. As discussed above, nerve pain in the leg may be diagnosed as a leg injury rather than spinal stenosis. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. However, these secondary service-connected disabilities are not cumulative. 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). have the greatest impact on the veterans ability to work. 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. Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine leads to neck pain, back pain, and sometimes, 60% if there are severe incapacitating episodes that occur 4 or more times per year, 40% if there are incapacitating episodes that occur 3 or more times per year if there is a definite (but not necessarily significant) decrease in health, 20% if there are less than 3 incapacitating episodes per year. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. 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. 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 . In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, Once the VA has acknowledged that your disability is related to servicei.e. Berry Law is a team full of Veterans, with attorneys from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 The only problem is that I have had spinal fusion on my lower back on oct 8 2008, I was faxing the DAV all my information as I would get it from the doctors. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve could then result in a 60 percent disability rating according to the social security administration. This narrowing can be caused by physical injury or degeneration of the spine. As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint. The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20%, despite how much pain the condition may cause. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. With this in mind, its important to know which spinal conditions are not rated under the general rating formula. The VA will use a series of diagnostic codes for areas of the spine. 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. The spinal cord can be squeezed causing pain and numbness in the back or weakness in one or both legs. 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. Unlike a back injury that is caused by muscle, ligament, or bone damage, the effects of spinal stenosis are felt primarily in the nerves of the spinal cord. Do you have a low back (lumbar) injury related to your military service? If your spine is locked in an unfavorable position, you may qualify for a relatively high disability rating as high as 100%. WITNESS AT HEARING ON APPEAL. Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Spinal Injuries, Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits, VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained. 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. If radiculopathy is caused by a low back condition, the individuals will feel the symptoms in the lower extremities (thigh, calf, foot). . An increase at this point for a spine disability requires additional loss of range of motion, ankylosis, or . Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 It is rated under another diagnostic group. As the foramen close in, it can lead to those nerves becoming pinched. Given this variety of symptoms, it is easy to understand how spinal stenosis can be misdiagnosed. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 4.71a Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. For example: Suppose you were diagnosed with whiplash as a result of a Humvee accident while you were in the service. 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 If your spinal stenosis was caused by another service-connected disability, you can apply for secondary service connection. It can cause muscle weakness and pain or cramping extending from the buttocks down through the leg. Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine leads to neck pain, back pain, and sometimes causes pain to radiate into the arms and legs. 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 All the disabilities stemming from spinal stenosis should be accounted for in a fair VA disability rating. A very common impairment caused by this nerve compression is sciatica. Both upper (cervical) and . This type of rejection can sometimes be overcome if you can point to a specific incident that worsened your condition. The rating will largely depend on whether you have lost range of motion as a result of stenosis. Free Disability Evaluation: Step 1. 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) These exams are called comprehensive preventive health evaluations (CPHE) or wellness checks.. Some joints are referred to as major joints, while others are referred to as minor joints. When rheumatoid arthritis affects the spine, it typically occurs in the cervical spine (the neck) rather than the thoracolumbar spine (the low back). If we can show that you had spinal stenosis while in the service but you were misdiagnosed, you might even get some substantial back pay. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. However, it can also be caused by herniated discs, thickened ligaments in your spine, tumors, and spinal injuries. It may result in a higher rating, and therefore a greater monthly disability compensation amount. If you believe your current spinal injuries are the result of military service, you could receive VA disability for spinal stenosis. Keep in mind that a Veterans disability law firm can work with you to build a claim for a higher rating. It will also help if someone else in your division remembers what happened. Numbness or tingling in a hand, arm, foot, or leg, Pain or cramping in one or both legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk, which usually eases when you bend forward or sit. Typically, this would be established by medical records from your time in the military showing that your condition worsened. Rheumatoid arthritis is rated under its own rating system. Basically, the VA understands that the Veteran would not have developed sleep apnea if they didnt get PTSD while in service. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Foraminal stenosis is the narrowing or the tightening of the openings located between the bones of your spine. For example, a cervical spine with forward flexion of 15 produces a VA disability percentage of 30% and a lumbar spine with a total ROM of 120 produces a VA disability percentage of 20%, for an overall VA disability rating of 40%. Forever Grateful, [K.S.]. I have my transportation now. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. To facilitate this process, the VA has created a ratings table. you may be able to get a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes. The ratings range from 10% to 60%. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is [K.S]. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Most of the time, spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back and the neck. Failure to address the symptoms will lead to a lifestyle filled with numbness, pain, and muscle weakness. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. 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. If your service-related stenosis causes a secondary condition, that condition would be rated separately by the VA. Keep in mind that arthritis will only be rated under diagnostic code 5003 when the condition does not result in severe enough limitation of motion to be rated under the general rating formula for the spine. 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. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The VA can reject a claim that your condition was made worse during your service if it believes that the worsening was a natural progression of the condition. This can sometimes be difficult to establish. A post-service diagnosis of spinal stenosis can sometimes be used to show that the condition was misdiagnosed during your time in the service. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals, Appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Increase Veterans Affairs Disability Rating, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), VA Mental Health: Legal Help for Veterans, Veterans Affairs Compensation for Sleep Apnea, VA Rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Symptoms, 2023 Veterans Affairs Disability Rate Increase, Have a current medical diagnosis for the disability, Have an in-service event or experience that led to the disability, Get a medical nexus connecting the in-service event to the current medical diagnosis. Secondary service connection occurs when a service-connected disability causes another disability. The sum of all these degree measurements together is called the ROM (range of motion) measurement. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Spinal stenosis simply refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal which results in pain, weakness, and numbness when nerves are compressed. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. That is, they get it wrong more than half the time. You may not notice at the onset, but the pain will evolve slowly over time. If the spine is frozen in a favorable position, the disability rating may be capped at 40%. It results in chronic pain, numbness, and weakness in your body. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. In extreme cases, spinal stenosis can cause incontinence or constipation if the compressed nerve controls the muscles surrounding the bladder or bowel, respectively. Fill out the short form below to contact us. Thus, if the flexion ROM measurement produces a 40% VA disability percentage and the total ROM measurement produces a 30% VA disability percentage, the VA disability percentage for spinal stenosis would be 40%. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. This misdiagnosis can affect a later disability claim for spinal stenosis, although it can be countered by evidence showing the diagnosis was, in fact, made in error. The ROM measurement is the maximum angle that you can move in each direction before reaching your physical limits or experiencing severe pain. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. For example, if you receive a VA disability rating based on a general spinal injury but could have received a higher VA disability rating for IVDS, you can submit additional evidence showing that your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging, herniated, or degenerated disc and request a re-calculation. Berry Law gets Veterans the disability compensation they earned. Neck muscle injuries. The same veteran with a 100% disability rating would receive $3,106.04. Acquired spinal stenosis is spinal stenosis due to cervical disc disease or cervical facet joint osteoarthritis.