spinal stenosis va disability rating

In all other cases, the ROM measurements of the lumbar spine are rated separately from the ROM measurements of the cervical spine. 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. This is known as secondary service connection. Spinal stenosis is a disabling condition caused by the narrowing of the gaps between individual spinal vertebrae. You may also qualify for a 100% rating if your back injury renders you unemployable. AVVO 10/10 Superb Rating, BBB A+ Rated. If left untreated, spinal stenosis may cause permanent numbness, weakness, balance problems, incontinence, and/or paralysis. Degenerative arthritis is the chronic breakdown of the cartilage surrounding the joints. I was medically retired from active duty Army in January of 2016 with a rating of 80% for a variety of things. If the entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position, the disability rating may be as high as 100%. This means that the effects of spinal stenosis are not limited to the back. Spinal stenosis will cause pain in different areas of the body including the neck, lower and middle back, your buttocks and legs. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. A total disability rating (100 percent) will be assigned without regard to other provisions of the rating schedule when it is established by report at hospital discharge (regular discharge or release to non-bed care) or outpatient release that entitlement is warranted under paragraph (a) (1), or of this section . Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. They will have you move, twist, or turn as far as you can without reaching your limit or experiencing significant pain and note the degrees of movement you can manage. Muscle guarding occurs when muscles react to prevent pain or discomfort. With this in mind, its important to know which spinal conditions are not rated under the general rating formula. As the foramen close in, it can lead to those nerves becoming pinched. When spinal stenosis causes additional disabilities, those problems may qualify as secondary service-connected disabilities. The spine is considered as a minor joint. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Back braces or corsets are $200 or more. 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. document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) PTSD Lawyers | Berry Law Firm. VA/DoD CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Defense . 14K 1,344 9. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? Table II - Ratings for Multiple Losses of Extremities With Dictator's Rating Code and 38 CFR Citation Note. The rating will largely depend on whether you have lost range of motion as a result of stenosis. If you experienced a back injury during active duty, or an injury that later contributed to back pain, you may be eligible for disability benefits. 5239 - VA disability rating for Spondylolisthesis or segmental instability: A condition that causes a vertebra to slide forward over the bone below it. The VA has a separate rating system for these conditions. 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. Williamsburg, VA 23185. VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. have the greatest impact on the veterans ability to work. For instance, which pages you go to most. You can talk these problems over with your physician, as well. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). 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. Some joints are referred to as major joints, while others are referred to as minor joints. Contact Berry Law today if you need assistance appealing your VA decision. With extensive experience working with VA disability claims, Berry Law can help you with your disability appeals. 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. 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. However, it can also be caused by herniated discs, thickened ligaments in your spine, tumors, and spinal injuries. When your medical disability occurred during your service, it is almost always presumed to be service-connected. 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. In order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your disability claim, you need to understand how the VA rates your condition. Traumatic arthritis causes symptoms similar to other types of arthritis such as pain, inflammation, and build-up of fluid around the affected joint. Spinal stenosis of the cervical and thoracic regions may contribute to neurologic injury, such as development of a central spinal cord syndrome following spinal trauma. 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. Other causes of spinal stenosis may include: Arguably the most important part of the VA disability claims process is establishing service connection. If your spinal stenosis was caused by another service-connected disability, you can apply for secondary service connection. 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. ATTORNEY FOR THE . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. Secondary service connection occurs when a service-connected disability causes another disability. There are two types of spinal stenosis treatment: surgical and non-surgical. For a cervical spine that is frozen in a favorable position, the disability rating may be capped at 30%. QUALIFYING STATEMENTS . Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. However, Veterans can also receive disability compensation on a secondary basis. Yes, but you should talk to a VA Disability law attorney first. To qualify for disability because of lumbar spinal stenosis under listing 1.16, you must show that you suffer from ALL of the following: Non-radiating pain in one or both legs, or non-radiating loss of feeling in one or both legs, or neurogenic claudication (pain or cramping caused by nerve compression) The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. THE ISSUE. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any injuries or disabilities that are the result of military service are eligible for compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 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. The total ROM measurement is merely the sum of the individual ROM measurements for each of the spine segments. The information you obtain on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Under the VAs rules, you can challenge a VA disability rating by asserting that the VA misapplied its schedule. It will also help if someone else in your division remembers what happened. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. In severe cases, or where the use of conservative treatment options just isnt effective for you, you and your doctors may consider surgery. The VA rates spinal stenosis disability claims according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. 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. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. One of the most common conditions secondary to spinal conditions is radiculopathy. In severe cases, doctors may recommend surgery to relieve the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis. The rating systems used for arthritis of the spine is the second most common rating system for spine conditions. For example, after a fall or motor vehicle accident, a military doctor may attribute leg and foot pain to a leg injury rather than spinal stenosis. For example: Suppose you were diagnosed with whiplash as a result of a Humvee accident while you were in the service. 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 150 and 240 degrees, Flexion between 15 and 35 degrees, OR combined ROM 170%, Flexion between 30 and 60 degrees OR combined ROM of 120%. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general. Spinal stenosis can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the location of the spinal stenosis and the compressed nerve. 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. A, Oftentimes, spinal conditions will cause other conditions, and these conditions qualify a Veteran for another rating. Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Spinal Injuries, Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits, VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. When it occurs in the cervical spine (the neck and upper section of the back), symptoms may include pain, muscle spasm and weakness, numbness, and tingling in the neck, hands, arms, legs, and feet. This can lead to a misdiagnosis of spinal stenosis. It is rated under another diagnostic group. When pursuing a VA disability rating for back pain, its important to know your options. 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. .. Jan 17, 2012 #2. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Our monthly newsletter features about important and up-to-date veterans' law news, keeping you informed about the changes that matter. . 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). Less frequently, stenosis can occur in the upper back (thoracic). Case Info Step 2. I served during peace timein theArmy. Disability benefits are paid for service-connected disabilities. Symptoms are similar to the symptoms involved with degenerative arthritis and include pain and swelling of the joints. The spine is considered as a minor joint. For example, if your VA disability rating for spinal stenosis is based on total ROM but ignores a flexion ROM that would result in a higher VA disability rating, it can be challenged by pointing out the mistake and asking for a review at the same level or by a higher-level authority. Severe paralysis of long periods can be shown by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited functionality of the affected body part. Yes No Does applicant expect to be out of work for at least 12 months? Step 1: Make Sure You Pass All Technical Requirements for Disability Benefits. An. Spinal stenosis simply refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal which results in pain, weakness, and numbness when nerves are compressed. 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 . This metric is used in calculating your VA disability rating. Full eligibility requirements Were You Denied VA Disability Benefits for Spinal Stenosis? Their testimony can mean the difference between an approval or a denial of your case. 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. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. 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. For example, if the cervical spine ROM measurements are 15, 30, 0, 30, 45, and 45, the total ROM would be 165. The spine is considered as a minor joint. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. You may be owed compensation. This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. These complications of stenosis are called. 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.

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