You're not alone. Symptoms often get worse over time and are caused by an individual performing the same action over and over again. The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). You have virtually no range of motion. 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. Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained | CCK Law Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. The disability ratings for spinal diseases range from 10% for minor conditions to 100% for . Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. When in doubt, the benefit is ALWAYS given to the veteran. Additionally, thoracolumbar combined movement should be less than 120, and cervical combined movement should measure less than 170. If youre still experiencing pain, that could warrant a higher disability rating. Spinal fusion helps correct spinal deformities like a sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis). They will also test your range of motion at different angles to get an accurate picture of your condition. The reasonable doubt rule, means that the evidence provided by the claimant/beneficiary (or obtained on his/her behalf) must only persuade the decision maker that each factual matter is at least as likely as not.. Theyll need to see evidence that the spinal fusion is caused by your back condition and is related to your service. This level can also have muscle spasms, muscle guarding, and pain without abnormal gait or curves. United States. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE! This device accurately assesses how far individuals are capable of bending or moving their joints. or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; . Combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or. we represent clients nationwide. The favorable or unfavorable part refers to what position you are stuck in. This Firm is So Good at what they do! Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . Fused pieces or loose pieces of bone in your back can all affect your ability to twist around. Most neck injuries follow the same diagnostic criteria. Herniated disk. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. Medical records could also be included such as X-rays or MRIs. Some veterans are bent over sideways but can still walk around with a cane. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). You can do this by filing a Higher Level Review or a Supplemental appeal. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Youll bend forward and backward as well as side to side, and every measurement matters. 50% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Abnormal contours can cause problems in digestion, breathing, circulation, bowel movements, and more. These include degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs, among others. Share with: Link: Copy link. Each direction, forward, backward, left, and right will get an angle of flexion measurement. When judging the veterans range of motion, doctors measure the maximum angle of movement before you experience pain. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Once they have your records, a doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms. Other Conditions That Come With Fused Vertebrae 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. Fill out the short form below to contact us. Other valuable types of evidence are lay statements and buddy statements. If youve had a spinal fusion, you may wonder if youre eligible for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Essentially, the more limited you are, the higher your rating will be. Sometimes VA accepts your claim but assigns a lower rating than you may have hoped for. Maybe. The problem that develops later, though, is that the rest of your vertebrae are picking up the slack and absorbing more shock. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 To assess a veterans neck pain and the potential connection to an in-service event, VA is allowed to request a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. This can all be amplified by long caravans on bumpy roads, carrying 100 pounds of the worlds lightest equipment every day. Does the veteran have any other signs or symptoms of radiculopathy? If there is no diagnosis, a veteran will still need to show VA that connection. 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! How Do I Increase My VA Rating for Neck Pain? Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Spinal fusion, or ankylosis, comes in two forms; favorable and unfavorable. eCFR :: 38 CFR 4.71a -- Schedule of ratings - eCFR :: Home Degenerative Disc Disease is a normal part of aging for a huge percentage of the population, so youll have to prove your back injuries are service-connected. It can include your diagnosis, independent medical opinion, medical records, and written statements from friends or family members. (cervical) part of the . The good news is that veterans with spinal fusions may qualify for a VA disability rating for spinal fusion. 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. Call us and well send you self-addressed, postage-paid envelopes to send in your decision letters. Does the veteran have muscle atrophy? Veterans who have had spinal fusion surgery are potentially eligible for VA benefits relating to the spinal fusion. They will also consider your age, education, and employment history. We advocate for the disabled. 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. How to Get Disability for Spinal Fusion (Updated for 2023) is that most veterans that dont add up have one or two directions of flexion that are OK and two other directions that are impossible. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. It depends on several factors, including the specifics of your surgery, your post-operative course, and whether you have any other disabling conditions that contribute to your overall disability rating. 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). Its no secret that many veterans suffer back pain from spinal injuries. Lower to mid-back flexion is limited to between 30 and 60, and the range in your neck is 15-30. They are very knowledgeable. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). 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. 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. You actually cant get VA Disability for DDD. You need to see your doctor at least yearly to check on your back. Pain in the neckor cervicalgiais recognized by VA as a disability that should be compensated if caused by military service. 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? You might be able to lean right and left 30 just fine. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. You're not alone. VA Disability Benefits for Spondylosis | CCK Law If you receive a rating of 20% or below, you will not be eligible for a higher rate if you have a dependent, spouse, or child in the way you would with a 30% or higher rating. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. VA Disability Rating For Spinal Fusion (2023 Guide) 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. #19. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. Regardless of the cause, VA disability for neck pain is awarded to those injured while serving. You want to see a doctor with a good knowledge of VA disability ratings. Muscle guarding can happen to resist pain or other signals from the sensory nerves in your back. 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. There must be clear evidence that the veterans pain causes functional impairment or loss. As your backbones bang together, pieces can chip off and cause even more pain and problems. Asthma secondary to Depression. Since that time, we have provided compassionate While many conditions can be caused by cervical strain or neck pain alone, its important to check with a doctor because other conditions may also be linked to more serious health issues. To receive compensation for a neck injury disability, veterans must be able to prove that their neck pain was caused or aggravated by their time in the military.
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