When a veteran files a claim for their disability, they must establish a primary service connectionwith or without a diagnosis. You can also apply in person at your nearest Social Security office. A 10% disability rating for spinal fusion is granted when forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine is greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, 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. The temporary 100% rating may continue for 1 to 3 monthsdepending on your unique case. The following are a list of common questions asked at a C&P exam for Neck Pain: #1. You're not alone. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 When reviewing claims for spinal fusions, the VA will look at things like X-rays, MRIs, medical records, and independent medical opinions from treating physicians. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis, Radiculopathy and Cervicalgia VA. Expand Table Amputations: Lower Extremity The disability ratings for spinal diseases range from 10% for minor conditions to 100% for . We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. Just like driving a truck with bad shocks, that bumpy ride on your back wears out the equipment really quick. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 we represent clients nationwide. Lower to mid-back flexion is limited to between 30 and 60, and the range in your neck is 15-30. The VA calculates the amount of disability compensation according to how significantly a spine condition affects the range of motion. You might be able to lean right and left 30 just fine. Many of the angles in the chart above relate to forward flexion. If you experience back or neck pain from sitting in a chair for too long, you shouldnt be embarrassed to apply for VA benefits. We hope this guide has been helpful. How to Get Disability for Spinal Fusion (Updated for 2023) Spinal fusion can happen naturally or surgically. Lumbosacral, Cervical Strain, or Cervicalgia are the medical terms used to describe Neck Pain.. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) is a disability in which parts of your spine break or move and put your nerves or other parts of your spine in the wrong spot. Additionally, thoracolumbar combined movement should be less than 120, and cervical combined movement should measure less than 170. Neck pain can also be caused by pinching from disc compression or the growth of osteophytes. #17. The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). All Rights Reserved. Spinal fusion surgery can treat a range of disabilities including: Spinal fusion surgery can be performed on any part of the spine, but its most commonly done on the lower back. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain: Cervical Spine, Neck Arthritis 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! A veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. Your final VA Disability Rating for Neck and Shoulder Pain depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms to include Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Painful Motion. Patients will likely need to take it easy and avoid strenuous activity during that time. Deformities of the spine. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 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. Due to the veterans cervical spine condition, is there functional impairment of an extremity such that no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthesis? VA Ratings for Back Pain range from 10 percent to 100 percent, with breaks at 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, and 50 percent. 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. Although cervical spondylosis is just a term to explain aging, if it happens faster than its supposed to, you may be eligible for VA compensation. The more you are immobilized, the more your VA rating will increase. All Rights Reserved. Although the diagnosis might matter when it comes to conditions that deteriorate with age, such as problems with spinal discs or variations of arthritis, VA typically focuses on symptoms when assigning ratings. The #1 best way to increase your VA disability rating for neck and shoulder pain is to have objective medical evidence (X-Ray or MRI results) to show your symptoms have worsened over time. Its usually performed when other treatment options, like medication and physical therapy, have failed to provide relief. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. They keep you informed. Favorable means that your stuck standing straight up. The goal of the surgery is to stabilize the spine and relieve pain. Veterans who have had spinal fusion surgery are potentially eligible for VA benefits relating to the spinal fusion. Okay, lets explore how to get a VA Rating for Neck Pain as well as what you can expect at a C&P exam for your neck and shoulder. IVDS is one of the more difficult, while radiculopathy or ankylosis is easier. #11. If you cannot work or earn a living due to your condition, you may be eligible for a 100% disability rating. If youre applying for VA disability benefits and youve had spinal fusion surgery, you should definitely include that information in your claim. Intervertebral Disc Diseases Similar to generative disc disease, these conditions affect the discs between vertebrae, causing pain in the back, arms, neck, and legs. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices 50% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. In general, the more supporting evidence you can provide, the better. Medical records could also be included such as X-rays or MRIs. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine up to 85 or of the cervical spine up to 40 OR the combined range of motion at 120-235 for thoracolumbar or 170-335 for cervical. Specifically, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as follows: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine The good news is you can get VA disability benefits for neck and shoulder pain if your condition was caused or made worse by your military service. Lay statements come from family members or the veteran themselves, and simply detail more information about how the veterans daily life is affected by the disability. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Your final rating for spinal conditions (neck, upper back, mid back, lower back) depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms to include Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Painful Motion. Favorable ankylosis is when the spinal fusion does not result in changes to posture or standing/sitting form. Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, Establishing a Service-related Connection to Spinal Fusion, Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating 30-60%, Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating 70-100%. The VA rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine is 40%. Already working with us? Share with: Link: Copy link. You have no range of motion. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. Neck muscle injuries. See a doctor familiar with VA disability to explore your symptoms more fully. Veterans are eligible for VA benefits if they had a neck condition prior to their time in the service that was aggravated by an event or continuous stressors. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also known as IVDS) is a back condition involving the intervertebral disc or disc fragments. This prevents pinched nerves, slipped discs, and other IVDS problems. Unfavorable ankylosis is when your stuck bent over in any direction. Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . #16. Does the veteran have imaging evidence of a cervical vertebral fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of height? Combined thoracolumbar less than 120 or cervical combined less than 170 or muscle spasms or guarding enough to cause abnormal gait or an abnormal contour of your spine. They must cause problems doing normal activities. Bone spurs or osteophytes can grow on bones and cause joints to enlarge. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Asthma secondary to GERD (acid reflux or heartburn) Asthma secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Degenerative Disc Diseases This degeneration happens when the discs between spinal vertebrae break down over time, which can cause pain in the back, arms, neck, and legs. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. ), Disabling spinal contours like being hunchback or kyphosis. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain | The Tuley Law Office 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. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Share. Whiplash Whiplash happens when the neck experiences a forceful back and forth motion that causes lasting pain. 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. The more educated and prepared you are with your claim and getting the right evidence to submit a fully developed claim, the better your chances of getting the benefits you deserve. Radiculopathy is commonly rated as a secondary VA disability claim for secondary service connection due to one or more service connected neck, shoulder, and back conditions. Asthma secondary to Nasal polyps. When the VA rates IVDS, they rate it based on incapacitating episodes. The main determining factor is how much of a Range Of Motion (ROM) you have. 100+ Most Common VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022) Anxiety secondary to Tinnitus. 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%. Lateral flexion is leaning right and left but rotation is also measured. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225
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