Radiculopathy does involve a condition of the spinal nerve, and for a specific rating for anerve condition the determination is based on (a) paralysis, meaning that the nerve has no ability to function; (b) neuritis, meaning that the nerve is irritated, and there is numbness, muscle atrophy, or loss of reflexes; or (c) neuralgia, meaning that the nerve produces intermittent or continual pain, possibly accompanied by numbness and tingling. When you apply for VA disability for Cervical or Lumbar Radiculopathy, the key is how much paralysis you experience and how often. 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. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Symptoms of moderately severe, moderate, and mild sciatic neuritis can be given a range of ratings including 40, 20, and 10 percent. partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve, a 60% rating will be given. A doctors physical exam and electromyogram (EMG) that confirms a radicular condition serve as bases for ratings. VA disability ratings are expressed as percentages and range from 10% to 100%. Hill & Ponton P.A. If you have a dull pain in your back but feel like your legs are being electrocuted, you probably have some form of sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy. than moderate, even if it is considered severe. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. VA Benefits for Sciatica | Cuddigan Law Sometimes diabetes or arthritis can cause radiculopathy in addition to direct spine injuries. Let us know. Veterans may experience a number of debilitating nerve conditions; however, three of the most common include peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and sciatica. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. If you have been honorably discharged and have joint or back pain, you can probably get the minimum 10% rating for a disability. To qualify for the next level up, you need to meet all the criteria of one category. Incontinence can also occur as a result. For instance, which pages you go to most. This is the rarest form which means it is also the least diagnosed. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. To discuss your own case, contact us for aninitial case evaluationat no charge to you. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. The back pain is rated separately, so you could have a 40% rating on your back, 20% on your right let and 10% on your left leg which would make a combined rating of 60% with the bilateral factor thrown in. However, in rare circumstances, veterans can experience bilateral sciatica. 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. Underfederal law, a preexisting condition is presumed aggravated if that condition: A veteran need not show that a certain incident during service aggravated the disabilityonly that it became worse during service. Once the history of your sciatica has been These diagnosed and service-connected disabilities can get you a higher rating. complete medical examination by a primary care doctor. Top 6 Secondary Conditions to Lower Back Pain (The Insider's Guide) Youll need evidence of trouble at work if you want to move this claim closer to a 100% TDIU rating. The upper radicular group is rated under diagnostic codes 8510, 8610, and 8710. Keep track of how often and how severe your episodes are. is. Obtaining VA Disability for Radiculopathy. yet assertive representation for our clients. Service Connection by Aggravation: What If You Were Diagnosed With Radiculopathy Before Service? It can affect one side or the other, and be different levels on both sides. Theyll also check the reflexes in your knees, as well as your nerves. determined, a physical exam will them be completed by a state certified If it After you have filed your claim for VA disability benefits and the VA adjudicators have decoded that your disability is service connected, the, For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. Sciatica (Lumbar or Sacral Radiculopathy) | Michigan Medicine Sciatica develops when the pressure on the The reflexes in your knees, as well as tingling or pain that interferes with your back or how your legs operate, your Radiculopathy is a great example of secondary service connection. This is the least common type. It causes pain, burning, and numbness all the way from your butt down to your toes. You can also the VA index using the wordsradiculopathyandratingsto find a current set of decisions on this question as they relate to your specific condition. This nerve runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks all the way down to the leg. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Of course, the words Severe, Moderate, Mild all have vague meanings. VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy - Hill & Ponton, P.A. When you go see the doctor and describe numbness or pain in your arms or legs, they will ask you more questions to narrow down your diagnosis. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. Since you are agitating the vertebrae in the middle of your back, this can get you when you are standing or sitting. The coccyx is your tailbone and its at the very bottom. Cervical radiculopathy is when a veteran has a pinched nerve in their neck. If the condition causes severe symptoms, it is How to apply for VA Disability Pay Updated: January 19, 2023. If there is a big bad disability that will get you more money per month, youd want that instead. To understand the causes of your sciatica, the first stage of the examination will involve you giving a complete history of your pain and symptoms relating to the issue. You bend side to side and then rotate at the hips for the final measurements. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.. 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. If the veterans doctor has provided a favorable opinion on the claim, the vet can submit this supportive evidence in the C&P exam. Any sciatica condition that needs this is rated 100% during this specialized treatment. The veteran has constant, severe pain in his lower back because of the radiculopathy affecting his ability to function on a daily basis. 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. Usually, sciatica only alters one side of the body. These are bones that stack to form the spine. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. You might be able to pay for some heating pads or some visits to the chiropractor/spa with that. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. This leaves room for many different interpretations and inconsistencies between the Regional Offices, Board of Veterans Affairs judges, and more. Mild symptoms are rated 10%. Do I file for Radiculopathy or Sciatica and if Awarded ask for retroactive pay from 2004? VA Benefits For Radiculopathy - The Veterans Law Office In many cases, sciatica is the result of a ruptured intervertebral disk,an injury, or narrowing of the spinal canal that applies pressure on the nerve. Please complete this form to send us your message. After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. The different nerves in your back are grouped together and carry different VA rating schedules. You stated that you "had an EMG that showed no nerve damage." Perhaps your problem is not what you call the disability . Thats because if your sciatica results in limited motion, you can only receive one rating for it. Radiculopathy in arms, buttocks or lower extremities can be secondary to several underlying physical conditions, such as: Because it is related to and accompanies numerous other back issues, radiculopathy is frequently claimed as a veterans disability that is secondary to other back conditions or back pain. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? This could help you gain a higher rating. Code 8620: which would make a combined rating of 60% with the bilateral factor thrown in. VA Disability Benefits for Sciatica and Similar Nerve Conditions Amanda Dejesus, Veterans' Advocate Updated: January 12, 2023 Sciatica refers to pain involving a problem with the sciatic nerve. I served during peace timein theArmy. If your Sciatic nerve causes your foot to drop and impairs your walking and you cant lift your knee, you might get up to an 80% rating. Sciatica occurs when the pressure on the spinal nerve results in pain developing on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Why would you ever want to be denied for radiculopathy? If your work is affected by this kind of condition, make sure your doctor knows it. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. If a nerve condition affects both sides of the body (such as both arms or legs), VA should issue a rating for each side and an additional bilateral factor. 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. In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, Veterans who are seeking an increased rating or service connection for a new disability often ask whether re-opening their file can cause the VA to reduce their existing rating. This is when the nerve cannot function at all. it is rated 20%. If you are a veteran suffering from daily back pain, make sure you apply for all of the VA disabilities you are entitled to. Neuralgia cannot be rated higher Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. They are also more likely to be ruled Permanent and Total, which means you dont have to go back and re-apply and risk losing your benefits every 5-10 years. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. Cervical radiculopathy is when a veteran has a pinched nerve in their neck. Radiculopathy VA Disability Rating: Cervical, Lumbar, Thoracic Symptoms that are experienced when one is This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve may lead to a 60 percent disability rating. Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams for Radiculopathy, Evidence for Radiculopathy Claims and Appealing under the AMA system. Common examples of back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations. This occurs when a nerve in the lower portion of the back is pinched, and it can cause numbness and tingling in the hips and legs. The primary cause of sciatica (present in about 90 percent of cases) is spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. In addition to secondary service connection, veterans may also be able to seek service connection through aggravation. Since that time, we have provided compassionate VA disability ratings for Sciatica fall under one of the following codes from eCFR, Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Code 8520: Paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The lower . you viewed to avoid repetition. Radiculopathy is a "pinched nerve." Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. If the condition is moderate, The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. In these instances, the ratings will be combined, for the left and right sides, and 10 percent will be added. Lower back pinched nerves are the most common type and even have sub-classes of diagnoses. You've just been rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. They fought hard for me and got me more than I ever could dream of. Please complete this form to send us your message. Common Secondary Service-Connected Conditions - Military Benefits One of our VA disability lawyers talks about SMC and how you can actually get more than 100% of your VA disability benefit money. Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) - Compensation Such veterans that suffer from sciatica may be eligible forVA disability benefitsif they can prove that their issue is a result of their time spent in the service. Lumbar Radiculopathy. level of pain either when they are sitting or standing, Sometime when one has He can now file a claim with VA for secondary service connection for his radiculopathy since it was caused by his degenerative disc disease. It often shows up in your knees or feet. Sciatica is usually diagnosed after a As such, veterans living with sciatica may have trouble with many activities of daily living, including working certain jobs. Do You Have a Service Connection With Sciatica? If you just drop the remote control sometimes but otherwise youre fine, youll be closer to barely getting the 20% rating. Those with lumbar radiculopathy will be rated within the group of peripheral nerves of the low back and legs. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. However, if your condition is not as The degree of severity, represented by a percentage, corresponds to the monthly compensation a vet receives. A herniated disc in this region can cause pain that radiates down one or both arms. When Sciatica is severe, it can even lead Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. This may also apply if you had existing radiculopathy that was made worse during your time in the service. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? Perhaps you already had a health condition when entering the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and it was aggravated during your active duty service. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in Additionally, a secondary disability claim can increase your benefits if a new condition arises from your current service-connected disability. I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. Sciatica is not a direct diagnosis of the problem. Your flexion for the thoracic and lumbar areas are grouped together into the Thoracolumbar tests. Sciatica is the pain that one experiences Sort of, if you have symptoms that could be tied to either of those disabilities, talk to one of our doctors that works with VA claims every day. However, the criteria listed here can also be subjective. Counsel can be very helpful for a successful C&P exam, and the right preparation can be the difference between an approval or denial. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. 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. Things such as your spinal range of Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. Remember, a single condition can only be ranked once. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Each of these ratings of conditions has sub-categories which are mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. Here at Woods and Woods VA Disability Lawyers, weve been helping veterans gain the VA rating they deserve for years and we have the skill and experience to help you gain the support you need. Neck pain is a cervical spine problem. Radiculopathy is caused by a compressed nerve in the spine. Typically speaking, the maximum VA rating for peripheral neuropathy is 40%, but you may be entitled to more if your symptoms are severe and includes several of your limbs affected. problem, but rather, an accurate way of describing the location of the pain. Under these characterizations, each nerve has its own disability rating for each level of severity. Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve is pinched or pushed on from a disc. The cervical area is around your neck and shoulders. In moderate neuralgia, typical of a radiculopathy diagnosis, a veteran experiences numbness, and tingling, and moderate to severe pain.