spinal stenosis va disability rating

You can talk these problems over with your physician, as well. If your spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis is service-connected, or if your condition was aggravated because of your military service, you may qualify for VA disability compensation. Yes No Does applicant expect to be out of work for at least 12 months? If your spine is frozen due to spinal stenosis, meaning that you have no Range Of Motion, you may qualify for a relatively high VA disability rating. More importantly, when both the lumbar spine and cervical spine are affected by spinal stenosis, the two may be separately rated unless both are frozen in an unfavorable position. However, it can also be caused by herniated discs, thickened ligaments in your spine, tumors, and spinal injuries. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. Prosthetic replacement of knee joint: For 1 year following implantation of prosthesis 100 If a doctor doesnt use a goniometer to measure your ROM, In addition to the ROM measurements, the general rating criteria for spinal involves whether the cervical and/or thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable vs. unfavorable position. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 you viewed to avoid repetition. Extraschedular VA Disability Ratings Case Info Step 2. This misdiagnosis can affect a later disability claim for spinal stenosis, although it can be countered by evidence showing the diagnosis was, in fact, made in error. Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Diseases Prosthetic Implants and Resurfacing 1 Also entitled to special monthly compensation. Find Out How To Qualify for Disability with Degenerative Disc Disease However, the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 As mentioned above, spinal stenosis is typically diagnosed with x-rays or MRIs that show a narrowing of the spinal canal. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. Traumatic arthritis occurs after an injury, excessive movement, or other physical trauma. With this in mind, its important to know which spinal conditions are not rated under the general rating formula. Later you develop a spinal stenosis in your neck (cervical) area. Spinal Stenosis & Qualifying for Social Security Disability Depending on what joint is affected, there will be an identifying diagnostic code assigned to the condition. For example, if your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging disc, herniated disc, or other degenerative disc condition, you may get a better rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). If you believe you may have been wrongly denied benefits, you may benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer. Veterans looking to receive VA disability for spinal stenosis often develop the disability due to an injury to the spine. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. VA disability rating rules treat all forms of spinal stenosis the same way, with the cause being irrelevant to the actual VA disability rating for spinal stenosis. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on January 13, 2020 by Mike Woods Last Updated on December 30, 2022. People with spinal conditions also often change how they walk to, If your spinal condition results in the development of a new disability or makes an existing disability worse, remember that you may be entitled to, In order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your disability claim, you need to understand how the VA rates your condition. Markedly severe residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion following implantation of prosthesis 70 Moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain or limitation of motion 50 Minimum rating 30 5055 Knee replacement (prosthesis). As with most medical conditions, the VA disability rating for back pain depends on a variety of factors. This condition causes small bones in your spine to fuse in place to one another, sometimes resulting in significant range-of-motion loss. This can sometimes be difficult to establish. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. For example, a car accident or other trauma such as a back injury caused by service, can dislocate or fracture vertebrae, which could lead to spinal stenosis. VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease: A Guide - Berry Law The only problem is that I have had spinal fusion on my lower back on oct 8 2008, I was faxing the DAV all my information as I would get it from the doctors. You can file a disability claim for any secondary symptoms or conditions caused by your service-connected degenerative disc disease. How the VA Rates Spinal Stenosis in Florida? Foraminal stenosis is the narrowing or the tightening of the openings located between the bones of your spine. Severe disability and death may result from the association of cervical stenosis with even minor trauma resulting in the central cord syndrome. Is Cervical Spinal Stenosis A Disability? - Ortiz Law Firm Their testimony can mean the difference between an approval or a denial of your case. The VA disability rating system for spinal stenosis is the same general formula as for other similar spinal conditions, including: If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, you will receive a disability rating between 0% and 100%. To qualify for a 50 percent rating, a veteran would need to have "unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine." I want to thank Woods & Woods for not letting me give up. How to Win Your Disability Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease We assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your service-connected condition. Given this variety of symptoms, it is easy to understand how spinal stenosis can be misdiagnosed. In order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your disability claim, you need to understand how the VA rates your condition. bulging, herniated, or degenerated disc and request a re-calculation, Get Our Team Started Reviewing Your Case for Free Today, you should talk to a VA Disability law attorney first, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Woods and Woods fought hard for this Army Veteran. SSA will consider disability claims for degenerative disc disease that are supported by medical evidence such as: Physical examination for type and location of pain, range of motion, nerve function, sensation, and muscle strength, with a full review of the entirety of symptoms Diagnostic imaging tests (such as MRI, CT scans, and x-rays) have the greatest impact on the veterans ability to work. Spinal stenosis will cause pain in different areas of the body including the neck, lower and middle back, your buttocks and legs. Back Pain VA Rating: A Guide to Spinal Injuries - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic low back have been offered surgery and epidurals havent decided yet but if anyone can weigh in on this.. if you have spinal stenosis DDD DJD hypert,etc are you suppose to file a claim for each one separately? The Board notes that by rating decision dated December 2005 the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and radiculopathy was evaluated as 60 percent disabling, effective August 23, 1999. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint. Other back impairments have a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent or lower. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? One common cause of foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy is a bulging or herniated disc. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Basically, the SSA understands it's harder to go back to school, move for work or change careers after age 50. To facilitate this process, the VA has created a ratings table. VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. Disability Benefits for Spinal Stenosis | Nolo Service-connected disabilities are disabilities that manifested during your service, regardless of when your diagnosis occurred, or was diagnosed prior to your service and was worsened by your service. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Vertebral fractures and dislocations (diagnostic code 5235). For example, if your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging disc, dislocated vertebrae, or bone fragments, you may be able to identify an accidental fall, vehicle collision, or any other physical injury incurred during your military service that worsened your condition. A VA lawyer can run through all the scenarios with you for obtaining a fair VA disability rating that reflects the ways spinal stenosis affects you. VA Disability Rating for Spinal Stenosis Depends on Range of Motion Spinal stenosis can arise from both degenerative conditions (such as arthritis, bulging discs, and herniated discs) and physical injury, such as bone fragments, dislocated vertebrae, or swollen tissues. So if a Veteran has traumatic arthritis in his spine, the final diagnostic code would appear as 5010-5003. For example, if you receive a VA disability rating based on a general spinal injury but could have received a higher VA disability rating for IVDS, you can submit additional evidence showing that your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging, herniated, or degenerated disc and request a re-calculation. Spinal stenosis caused by IVDS qualifies for a separate IVDS disability rating and you are entitled to the higher of the two ratings. The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20%, despite how much pain the condition may cause. If your spinal stenosis was caused by another service-connected disability, you can apply for secondary service connection. If your spine is locked, but its in a favorable condition, your disability rating may be as low as 30% or 40%. Errors are frequently made when rating conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine leads to neck pain, back pain, and sometimes causes pain to radiate into the arms and legs. Keep in mind that arthritis will only be rated under diagnostic code 5003 when the condition does not result in severe enough limitation of motion to be rated under the general rating formula for the spine. The disabilities we propose to add are: spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the central spinal canal that causes pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, most commonly due to degenerative arthritis or degenerative disc disease) (diagnostic code 5238), spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (slipping of all or part of one vertebra forward . Spinal stenosis can be a difficult disability to deal with because of the breadth and variety of symptoms you may experience. The sum of all these degree measurements together is called the ROM (range of motion) measurement. The information you obtain on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. A posterior spinal fusion of a segment of adjoining vertebra, prior to clinical onset only of Spondylolysis or Spondylolisthesis Posterior spinal fusion means a surgical procedure involving immobilization of the posterior elements of two or more vertebrae by the use of bone grafting, in the absence of immobilization of the lateral elements, of . Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. In most cases, foraminal stenosis is caused by gradual degeneration of the spine that happens as you age. you may be able to get a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes. Do you have a low back (lumbar) injury related to your military service? Flexion 45 degrees, OR combined ROM 340 degrees, Flexion 90 degrees, OR combined ROM 240 degrees, Flexion between 30 and 45 degrees, OR combined ROM between 175 and 340 degrees, Flexion between 60 and 90 degrees, OR combined ROM between 150 and 240 degrees, Flexion between 15 and 35 degrees, OR combined ROM 170%, Flexion between 30 and 60 degrees OR combined ROM of 120%. Registration is FREE of charge! If you experienced a back injury during active duty, or an injury that later contributed to back pain, you may be eligible for disability benefits. For example, the specific code for degenerative arthritis of the spine is 5242. 1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders - Adult - Social Security Administration Think of the first number as an identifying diagnostic code that tells you what joint is affected, while the second diagnostic code tells you the rating system the condition is being rated under. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. These secondary conditions would be rated separately from the underlying spinal condition. Forever Grateful, [K.S.]. VA/DoD CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Defense . Can I get Disability for Spinal Stenosis? How to Qualify - brrlaw Diagnostic Code 5238 Cervical Spine Stenosis The spinal canal narrowing for one reason or another Diagnostic Code 5242 Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine Pain from the degeneration of the cervical vertebrae This rating criterion is primarily based on a range of motion measurements. Additional medical appliances may be required. Berry Law is a team full of Veterans, with attorneys from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. 20 percent disability rating: $327.99 per month. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. 20% Spinal Stenosis VA Rating Conversely, when the lumbar spine (the lower section of the back) is affected, symptoms may cause pain and nerve sensations in the back, legs, and feet. Because the vertebrae are closer together, they tend to compress the nerves that lie inside the spine, especially the spinal cord. For a cervical spine that is frozen in a favorable position, the disability rating may be capped at 30%. If you are suffering from the effects of Spinal stenosis you may qualify for disability benefits. In severe cases, or where the use of conservative treatment options just isnt effective for you, you and your doctors may consider surgery. While these codes may seem important, the rating formula is the same whether you suffer from spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome, vertebral dislocation or fracture or another condition. Thank you so much Woods & Woods. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Call 800-544-9144 today for a free case evaluation or contact us here. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. The same veteran with a 100% disability rating would receive $3,106.04. Because the rating formula is almost entirely based on ROM measurements, its important to make sure that a doctor performs ROM testing as accurately as possible. Radiculopathy is caused by compressed nerves in the spine and results in pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the nerve. Spinal stenosis in the neck can cause: Numbness Tingling or weakness in a hand, leg, foot or arm Problems with walking and balance Neck pain Problems with the bowel or bladder Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic From Mayo Clinic to your inbox PDF VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Low If the arthritis does not cause any episodes of incapacitation, but 2 or more joint groups are involved, then a 10% rating will be assigned. If your spine is locked in an unfavorable position, you may qualify for a relatively high disability rating as high as 100%. VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Williamsburg, VA 23185. If you believe you may have been wrongly denied benefits, you may benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer.