What Conditions Qualify for Disability Benefits? Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. In its earlier stages, it can be easy to assume that DDD symptoms are just everyday aches and pains that have no link to a Veteran's military service. What is the Degenerative Disc Disease VA Rating? Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. Consult with our nationally recognized law firm to receive assistance. hay fever). 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. Five bones fused into atriangular shape, form the sacrum. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! The speed and extent of deterioration are dependent on external factors. It may cause back and neck pain and sometimes impact nerve function. Degenerative Disc Disease is a painful spinal disorder caused by the steady degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which are the pads that cushion the bones in the vertebrae of your spine. Also Check: Can You Get Disability For Diabetes. This means that 30% of veterans who are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease receive a disability rating from the VA. As the discs burn out, these proteins are replaced by new ones, causing the discs to stiffen and micro-motions to decrease. It is determined in each case whether or not an extraschedular disability rating should be given. The inflammatory proteins within the disc space can contribute to the progression of disc degeneration over time. Lay evidence that you had the condition while in service. Functional loss may be due to deformity, improper nerve function (defective innervation), adhesions, atrophy or pain. March 23, 2019 Updated: June 21, 2022 What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?Degenerative disc disease typically affects the lower back or neck. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Degenerative disc disease is classified as a Musculoskeletal disorder by the VA. There is no doubt that wear and tear on the body, as well as the wear and tear on vehicles and on hills due to carrying the worlds lightest kit, can all contribute to Dizziness. You may also qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability. Check out our Google reviews. By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney. What is Functional Loss in a VA disability claim for Degenerative Disc Disease ? A discectomy is a surgical procedure in which part of the disc is removed and pressure is placed on the affected nerve. If you've recently filed a DDD claim or are waiting for your case to be resolved, you can contact the Hill Ponton team. The VA assigns each applicant a disability rating based on the severity of the service-related condition. In most cases, veterans will have to provide evidence of the following three elements of their service connection in pursuing compensation: Its been demonstrated that veterans who were exposed to the environmental hazards from open-air burn pits are at higher risk for developing allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory conditions so, to your advantage, that is a known fact. The Spine Institute of Nevada can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need for back pain. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! The process to receive approval for these benefits is often tedious and frustrating. I have a 20% rating for arthritis in my back, but can I get more for degenerative disc disease? Chat with Us. This allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. Extraschedular Disability Ratings Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It Find out if you qualify for SSDI benefits. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Thank. Read More. Your final VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms, including Painful Motion, Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM), and Functional Loss or Impairment. The strain of military service can lead to wear and tear on the spine, not to mention the risk of traumatic injuries in training or combat. Qualifying military members with degenerative disc disease can receive benefits. If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease and you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. Regardless, it is known that such toxins may contribute to allergic rhinitis and can be considered having a service connection. DDD can also cause radiculopathy, herniation discs, neurological impairments, and spinal stenosis, in addition to other conditions. Fighting insurance companies and the VA is what we do 24/7. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is determined based on symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. We should investigate worsening symptoms and secondary conditions that may have occurred as a result of the degeneration of the disc. 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 happens when the soft, inner part of the disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the spine conditions that qualifies for disability benefits. Also Check: This Device Is Disabled Code 22. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children, Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu, Make sure to click the link to sign up for updates. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. However, if the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved isnoncompensable(i.e., 0 percent disabling) under the appropriate diagnostic codes, a rating of 10 percent will be applied for each major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion. To recover service-connected compensation disability benefits for degenerative disc disease, you must meet a certain threshold required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. The result is that breathing through your nose can be difficult, and the area around your eyes (your sinus cavities) might feel swollen or tender. Radiculopathy is a nerve condition caused by compressed nerves in the spine, resulting in weakness, numbness, or pain along the nerve. Rhinitis also is present with the common cold, which is a temporary condition, so make sure to empahsize allergic rhinitis. One of the most common symptoms of degeneration of the disks is back pain. Tingling and numbness may not last for long periods of time; however, these symptoms may be . Attending a C& P exam with a medical professional can also potentially help you discover the presence of secondary conditions you were unaware of. However, you may wonder what is the maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease? TDIU, or total disability based on individual unemployability, occurs when a veteran is unable to work as a direct result of their service-connected disability or condition. Part of aging is disk deterioration; however, it does not cause pain in everyone. This might be the case for a veterans DDD, as the highest schedular rating under is only 20 percent. Degenerative arthritis of the spine (DC 5003) The last common method of establishing a rating for a back disability is through the VA's diagnostic code for degenerative arthritis. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. you viewed to avoid repetition. List of Common Veterans Administration Abbreviations, CIGNA / New York Life Disability Insurance, Disability and Life Insurance Claims FAQs, VA Service Connected Disability Claims FAQ, Life Insurance and Accidental Dismemberment FAQs, process of recovering VA disability benefits, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, The VA TDIU Approval Rate and Claim Appeal Options. However, if you can prove that your degenerative disc disease was connected to your military service, you will receive a disability rating from the VA. All of the medical documentation that you have gathered for your VA disability rating can be used as evidence in your SSDI application. DEgenerative disc disease is typically rated as a 20% disability by the VA. If you are unable to work because of a disability, you may be able to get a Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) deferment. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. 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. Physical therapy may help with muscle range of motion, while prescription medications may be used to alleviate pain. 2022 DisabilityProAdvice.com | Contact us: contact@disabilityproadvice.com, Degenerative Disc Disease & VA Disability Benefits | VA Appeals Attorneys. Many veterans experience chronic or worsening pain after they leave active duty. VA disability claims evidence can be direct or circumstantial, and include: A positive VA disability rating for a a bulging disc or a herniated disc is based on the extent of your symptoms, how impaired your range of motion is, prevalence of incapacitating episodes, and how all of this impacts your daily life. VA rates degenerative disc disease under38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, diagnostic code 5242. For instance, which pages you go to most. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. In general, the ratings for spine conditions are based on range of motion. In most cases, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, combined with the limitations on range of motion, to issue a disability rating. ; The general ratings formula for spine conditions is primarily based on a range of motion. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times, such as when exercising, or you may have symptoms all of the time. In addition, numerous research studies have shown a link between Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy; there is a strong bidirectional relationship where each disorder adversely influences the other one. This results in numerous unpleasant and painful symptoms in veterans that may include: Your specific symptoms will depend on where in the spine the nerve root is pinched. For degenerative disc disease, a Veterans Disability rating of 10% to 20% is typically assigned by the VA. An all-timer rating of 100 percent must be obtained before the VA will declare a veteran incapable of working. Recommended Reading: What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65. This is when the spaces in the spine narrow, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. For some, asthma may be a minor nuisance. What Happens To My Medicare Disability When I Turn 65, Will I Lose My Disability If I Work Part Time. 1115 ) Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. We help disabled veterans nationwide. Accurate measurement of the length of stumps, excursion of joints, dimensions, and location of scars with respect to landmarks, should be insisted on. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case. The VA can assign you a disability rating outside of the normal range. A Military Service Connection for Allergic Rhinitis Must Be Established. In the VA rating system, orthopedic conditions affecting the spine are separated into neck conditions and back conditions. Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! Are you a veteran suffering from degenerative disc disease? Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs naturally and affects the discs in your spine. VA Unemployability Explained What is TDIU? The VA can award benefits only if it finds a connection between a Veterans impairment and their past military service. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease 10% to 100%, Common VA Secondary Conditions to Degenerative Disc Disease, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): VA Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease. A veterans Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. Instead, they must also explain why it is not due to other factors, such as service. These ratings will be based on evidence from medical professionals, a VA claim exam, and information collected from other sources including federal agencies. Two of the most common causes of back pain are degeneration of the discs and herniations. Common signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis include: Veterans may develop this condition as a result of their active-duty military service, and they may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Your arthritis rating may turn into a spinal fusion claim or a secondary service-connected radiculopathy rating. If your degenerative disc disease develops over time, you can file a claim for secondary service connection when necessary. It is important to attend your C&P exam once it is scheduled or contact VA to reschedule if necessary. In this case, if the Veteran develops DJD in any other joint in the future, that joint is automatically subject to service connection. He is the founder and main author of brandonorthopedics.com, a website that offers valuable resources, tips, and advice for patients looking to learn more about orthopedic treatments and physiotherapy. A VA Disability Lawyers role is to assist you throughout the confusing and often frustrating appeals process if you have been denied benefits for your service-connected back pain. This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. If you developed degenerative disc disease as a result of military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Many Veterans may not even realize that their degenerative disc disease is service-related. If other treatments, such as medication and physical therapy, have not been able to relieve pain, a surgical procedure is typically recommended. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes.