VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Similar to VA compensation for most other conditions, service connection requires three separate pieces of evidence. Twisting at the hips is also counted in your movement as part of your thoracolumbar spine. #2. You actually cant get VA Disability for DDD. Neck pain can also be caused by pinching from disc compression or the growth of osteophytes. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. Successful spinal fusion results in the stoppage of motion at these places with the potential use of plates, rods, and screws, providing the patient with stability and back pain relief. The rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. Remember, if you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us for support. 50. Difficulty walking because of a limited line of vision, Restricted opening of the mouth and trouble chewing, Gastrointestinal symptoms due to pressure of the, Dyspnea (shortness of breath) or dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Other neurological symptoms caused by nerve root stretching. If youre seeking a VA disability rating for spinal fusion as a result of spinal fusion surgery, you will need to provide certain pieces of evidence to support your claim. The veteran continues to prove service connection by submitting evidence that proves their neck pain interferes with their daily life. yet assertive representation for our clients. These synthetic substances help promote bone growth and speed the fusion of the vertebrae. The surrounding muscles, bones, and tendons can cause muscle weakness, sharp pain, and numbness. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis - Hill & Ponton, P.A. From a VA disability perspective, this can help you get a permanent rating. Any direction of stiffness that is not straight up is considered unfavorable ankylosis. To receive the highest possible disability rating, you must provide the proper evidence to support your claim. Range of motion and functional limitations will be evaluated. Does the Veteran report flare-ups of the cervical spine? This level is basically less flexion: 30-60 of flexion for the lower to the middle back and 15-30 for your neck. Symptoms often get worse over time and are caused by an individual performing the same action over and over again. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Below we're sharing the VA range of motion chart used to rate back . Regardless of the veterans current employment status, do the conditions listed in the diagnosis section impact his/her ability to perform any type of occupational task (such as standing, walking, lifting, sitting, etc.)? There are a lot of things like falls, impacts, heavy lifting, and other activities that can be service-connected to your injury. 1115) Expand Table Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting their due compensation. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain Criteria VA uses 38 CFR 4.71a, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate most neck pain conditions. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. HIRE THEM! Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . Veterans are exposed to numerous events which can cause lasting neck injuries. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! A current diagnosis of a back condition that necessitates a spinal fusion, A medical nexus (i.e. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Well look through your medical records to see any history that points to your back injury. Top 100+ VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022 Edition) VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained | CCK Law It can also be difficult if there is no record of the injury you received. Surgeries, such as spinal fusion, discectomy, and laminectomy; . Neck Pain is the #5 most claimed VA disability. The disability ratings for spinal diseases range from 10% for minor conditions to 100% for . Unfavorable Ankylosis does bring in higher VA Ratings than favorable. 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. If youre applying for VA disability benefits and youve had spinal fusion surgery, you should definitely include that information in your claim. 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. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine due. You can do this by filing a Higher Level Review or a Supplemental appeal. You might wonder whether or not a veteran can get increased disability benefits from the VA due to spinal fusion surgery. Medical Criteria Needed to Qualify with Spinal Fusion | Disability Call us and well send you self-addressed, postage-paid envelopes to send in your decision letters. When you hurt or feel numb, tell your doctor that youve reached the limit. #6. As of this writing, a total of 1,129,931 disabled veterans are service connected for neck conditions. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. 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? How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Does the veteran have imaging evidence of a cervical vertebral fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of height? How to Get VA to Grant a Spinal Fusion Disability Rating How to Protect Veterans From Financial Exploitation of Their VA Benefits April 26, 2023 Dear Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran, A veteran disabled in the service of our country Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. Service connection is a way for the VA to determine if a veterans disability is related to their military service. Does the veteran have a diagnosis of a neck condition? Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Does procured evidence (statements from the veteran) suggest pain, fatigability, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination which significantly limits functional ability with repeated use over time? Without it, your claim will be automatically denied. The difference is almost $2,700 per year! Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating - Hill & Ponton, P.A. When the discs between your vertebrae wear out and cause all of these problems, sometimes a surgeon will fuse two or more of your vertebrae together. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 This means that a 10% VA disability rating for spinal stenosis plus 60% VA disability rating for peripheral nerve disability in an arm will produce an overall VA disability rating of 60%. Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. Neck pain refers to the top seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. These all involve the back bending in ways that it shouldnt. Neck Conditions: How To Get VA Disability - The Veterans Law Office Many natural conditions are also accelerated by time spent in the service. They will then remove any damaged or diseased tissue between the vertebrae. Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or. The highest scheduler rating for neck pain is 100 percent, which means your entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. During the C&P exam, the practitioner will ask questions about the condition to see how it has changed over time. Muscle guarding can happen to resist pain or other signals from the sensory nerves in your back. That is considered normal. Your spinal discs are critical to the padding between your vertebrae. VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. For instance, the VA rating for favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine is 30%. Youll bend forward and backward as well as side to side, and every measurement matters. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? All Rights Reserved. #5. Neck muscles can become strained from poor posture, carrying heavy things, military training exercises, high-intensity physical training, deployments, or long hours hunched over a computer. Muscle guarding is a reflex of your muscles to tense up in anticipation of something. #4. The answer is that it depends. Injuries such as radiculopathy dont depend so much on the pain in your back as they depend on the paralysis in your hands and feet. In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. VA Disability Rating For Spinal Fusion (2023 Guide) VA Ratings are based on your flexion, or how far you can bend your neck, or they are based on the paralysis in your hands and feet because of your spine problems. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider.
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