va disability for sciatica radiculopathy

Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 The bilateral factor recognizes the limitations caused by these disabilities and how they can impact the veteran. Each of these severities has their own diagnostic code and separate assigned percent ratings under 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings - neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Think of the three classifications like levels. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Usually, radiculopathy does not require any major surgery. Contact Us Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? Wondering about the 8-step VA claim process? In these instances, the ratings will be combined, for the left and right sides, and 10 percent will be added. But for others, compression of the sciatic nerve causes lumbar radiculopathy weakness and loss of feeling in the legs. It can be stiffness or even sharp pain. Depending on the loss of feeling in your elbow vs. your dominant hand, you might get a different VA rating. 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. will usually find that: VA disability ratings for Sciatica fall under one of the following codes from eCFR, Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Code 8520: VA rates sciatica under38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings neurological conditions and convulsive disorders, as follows: Importantly, there is no disability rating for severe neuralgia. Some patients may require more time to recover than others. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? Youll move your head forward and backward like you are looking up and down. which would make a combined rating of 60% with the bilateral factor thrown in. This is because it can offer valuable information on the causes of your problem. That said, veterans need to claim their back injury in a highly specific way. I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? These cookies do not store any personal information. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. We stay with you every step of the way during your application or appeal process. The VA may award service-connected disability benefits for conditions that arose before the time of active duty but worsened during it. It doesnt affect your arms and legs as much as it affects your whole trunk. Im not saying you should be a wimp and fake it, but you should be honest with the doctor about where the pain starts. 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. Each one of these areas connects nerves from your brain to all over your body. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? 203, San Jose, CA 95134 the body. Also, have your boss (or especially your ex-boss if you got fired!) You can file a new, secondary service-connection. If your mom remembers a before and after, have her talk to our staff to write up a lay statement to back your case. Can My Disability Rating Be Reduced By The VA? Measures of your extension, lateral flexion, and rotation all combine to measure your cervical flexion. While you should tell the C&P Exam doctor every detail of your symptoms. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Neuralgia cannot be rated higher Incomplete, moderately severe paralysis is rated 40%. Our certified VA Disability lawyer team works with doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists to work through your claim and make sure every inch is covered. Some conditions involve hospitalization or consistent medical care, such as an at-home nurse, for example. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Those suffering from sciatica will experience pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve which travels from the lower back down through the legs. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. The typical symptoms of a radicular condition depend on the location of the affected nerves. Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gulf War Syndrome all have the capability of a higher rating. Your flexion for the thoracic and lumbar areas are grouped together into the Thoracolumbar tests. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! rating that you can receive is 60%. In some instances, VA may determine an additional disability examination is still required to complete the claim for disability benefits. Once the history of your sciatica has been These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. If your neck crunches or grinds when you turn it in a different direction, make sure your doctor listens to those sounds. Sciatica is usually diagnosed following a complete medical examination by a doctor. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. When it comes to your exam, the number one thing the doctor will measure for your back pain is your range of motion. Already working with us? Remember, sciatica is the pain that an individual receives when the sciatic nerve is irritated. The required information to rank your condition must be recorded by the physician in your exam correctly. Remember, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, so be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for a medical opinion. If you experienced radiculopathy during military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits for your disability. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. VA Benefits for Sciatica | Cuddigan Law Come and go or be felt continuously Be less severe in your lower back than in your leg Feel worse after you stand or sit for a long time, as well as when you stand up and twist your body Feel worse after a sudden body movement such as sneezing or coughing 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. These diagnosed and service-connected disabilities can get you a higher rating. Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. Often we have clients with 20% ratings for back disabilities who could qualify for higher ratings for their serious impairments. To qualify for the next level up, you need to meet all the criteria of one category. You're not alone. Movement can be restricted not only because of pain in your neck but moving a certain way can make you lose feeling in your hands. Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. I have my transportation now. 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. I suffer from many health issues due to the trauma that happened to me in 1980. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. In your physical exam, a health professional will look at your spinal range of motion, your balance, and posture. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Not all doctors know how VA disability applications work, so we have doctors on our staff to review your application before it goes to the VA. Our on-staff doctors know what the VA wants when it comes to granting benefits. Common symptoms include: Most vets went through long periods of standing or marching, strenuous physical exercise challenges, and weapons training during military service. Paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Thoracic radiculopathy is going to be a lot scarier but wont affect you in the same way. If your long thoracic nerve is affected, however, it will keep you from raising your arm above your shoulder level and will only earn a 30% rating at the worst. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. If you dont have a service-related back condition, dont worry because you may still be able to get your sciatica service-connected. If you want a permanent disability rating for your joint pain, youll need a diagnosis and a clear measurement of your range of motion. If your work is affected by this kind of condition, make sure your doctor knows it. Complete paralysis: If the foot drops (it Already working with us? 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. According to the Mayo Clinic, Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body and extends from the lower back through the hips and the buttocks, down each leg. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in Radiculopathy is a "pinched nerve." Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. 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. How to Make the Most of Your 0% Benefits If you've gone through the VA claims process and received a 0 percent VA disability rating, you may be disappointed by the outcome. Each of these ratings of conditions has sub-categories which are mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations, talk to our staff to write up a lay statement, Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Neurological issues VA disability articles, I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm, Pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower back, The highest level of pain when theyre sitting or standing, Difficulty standing up for long periods or walking for a long time, A worsened pain after sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing, An in-service situation or event that may have caused or contributed to your problem, A medical opinion linking the in-service situation or event to your sciatica condition (. The moderate nerve rating changes based on the specific nerve. You dont have to pay anything until we win your case anyway. The VA commonly requires C&P exams to rate disability and determine the connection to service. A buddy statement can go a long way as we add it to your evidence. The general minimum for undiagnosed back pain veterans disability benefits is 10%. Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. This is also called flexion. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. The degree of severity, represented by a percentage, corresponds to the monthly compensation a vet receives. Every case is different, but let us take a free look at your claim before you send it in, or even before you start the application process. I have 21 pages of VA medical documentation for burning, altered gait, radical symptoms, inability to ambulate, in addition to over 50 days of work missed this year, 2 local ER visits, and 1 VA ER visit. What Is the VADisability Rating for Radiculopathy? Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. Its not much, but its a start. Why would you ever want to be denied for radiculopathy? They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. However, a few years after he was granted service connection, he was diagnosed with radiculopathy of his lower extremities due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. Examples of in-service incidents may include breaking or dislocating a vertebra or suffering physical back strain while training, operating a weapon, lifting equipment, jumping, or completing other military exercises. You should start the five year process for applying for VA benefits today. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 The examiners report to the VA Regional Office (RO), where the decision is made. This leaves room for many different interpretations and inconsistencies between the Regional Offices, Board of Veterans Affairs judges, and more. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. It doesn't matter what you call the disability, as long as VA knows what you are talking about. While not all of these are exclusive back pains, they can all point to conditions in the spine that would warrant a higher VA rating. Developed new symptoms? The skilled attorneys at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you navigate it. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? Secondary conditions develop as a result of an underlying condition or injury. This only applies to your neck. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, They experience the most The nerve functions, however, it is swollen, irritated, and painful. If the condition is moderate, This could have a direct effect on your work if you cant look around while holding a weight. currently suffering from the condition. Back injuries and musculoskeletal injuries can result in sciatica, which is quite common for military veterans. Often, Veterans' radiculopathy is a secondary. You might be able to pay for some heating pads or some visits to the chiropractor/spa with that. If you are suffering from total paralysis, Sometimes, there is little to no back pain with radiculopathy. You stated that you "had an EMG that showed no nerve damage." Perhaps your problem is not what you call the disability . If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. Thus, a bilateral factor will also be partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve, a 60% rating will be given. cannot be lifted by the muscles in the legs), all the muscles in the leg below document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); They have shown me nothing but professionalism and quick responsiveness to any situation. Counsel can be very helpful for a successful C&P exam, and the right preparation can be the difference between an approval or denial. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 Veterans who do not meet the schedular requirements may still be considered for extraschedular TDIU under 4.16(b). Symptoms including severe loss of reflexes, loss of sensation, muscle atrophy, and severely reduced movement can be considered severe neuritis. If you have been honorably discharged and have joint or back pain, you can probably get the minimum 10% rating for a disability. Veterans dont necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. You also bend backward just a little bit, but not much. If they make you unable to work or conduct a normal life, tell them. 20%. You may be owed compensation. This was to add SC and rating for my left leg. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? Given that radiculopathy is commonly caused by back conditions, it is typically service-connected on a secondary basis. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Remember if you ever fell, what your daily activities included, and how those activities could hurt your back. Here you bend over forward at the waist for one measurement. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Every case is different, so please contact our certified team. After an exam, vets and witnesses should promptly memorialize their experience, and date their notes. Please complete this form to send us your message. Was the veteran able to go through and explain all the important points about symptoms and experiences? impossible. Support your beliefs with professional medical records before and after service to demonstrate that you didnt suffer from back pain until after your time in service. For instance, which pages you go to most. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Sciatica itself actually refers to a symptom rather than a specific disease. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Lumbar radiculopathy is irritation or inflammation of a nerve root in the low back. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. I bought a home. Fill out the short form below to contact us. For back pain, you are going to get rated based on pain and flexion.

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