Surgery can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000 with a microdiscectomy or discectomy being the least expensive and spinal fusion costing the most. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Severe paralysis of long periods can be shown by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited functionality of the affected body part. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve may lead to a 60 percent disability rating. This means that the effects of spinal stenosis are not limited to the back. An. Under the IVDS schedule, a VA disability rating can be obtained based on the number and frequency of incapacitated episodes in which bed rest is ordered by a physician. According to Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space where the nerves run through your spine, causing pain by putting extra pressure on these spinal nerves. The VA assigns rating percentages based on the frequency of incapacitating episodes. So, they compensate them for the disability on a secondary basis. It may also cause bladder and bowel issues. Acquired spinal stenosis is spinal stenosis due to cervical disc disease or cervical facet joint osteoarthritis. Table II - Ratings for Multiple Losses of Extremities With Dictator's Rating Code and 38 CFR Citation Note. In some cases, the VA may help veterans get surgery to treat spinal stenosis. 14K 1,344 9. NOTE: Entitlement of a spinal condition includes spinal stenosis. Veterans looking to receive VA disability for spinal stenosis often develop the disability due to an injury to the spine. 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. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. Secondary service connection occurs when a service-connected disability causes another disability. Spine Condition Ratings. Keep in mind that a Veterans disability law firm can work with you to build a claim for a higher rating. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equina 1.17 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint 1.18 Abnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremity . Appellant. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. Congenital spinal stenosis is present at birth as a normal variant in the population or due to congenital conditions. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. When spinal stenosis causes additional disabilities, those problems may qualify as secondary service-connected disabilities. Canes range from $25 to $100 and walkers can be more than $200. Flexion measures 15 degrees or less, OR entire cervical spine is frozen in a favorable position. If you have multiple disability ratings, we use them to calculate . The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. 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. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. 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. Most of the time, spinal stenosis occurs in the lower back and the neck. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. 20% Spinal Stenosis VA Rating Your spinal stenosis may be accompanied by other back conditions, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, ankylosis or ankylosing spondylitis. The VA will use a series of diagnostic codes for areas of the spine. In that case, a lumbar spine and cervical spine frozen in an unfavorable position is given a VA disability rating of 100%. If your spinal stenosis was caused by another service-connected disability, you can apply for secondary service connection. I served during peace timein theArmy. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 In extreme cases, spinal stenosis can cause incontinence or constipation if the compressed nerve controls the muscles surrounding the bladder or bowel, respectively. To establish service connection, veterans must generally do the following: Evidence to support your VA disability claim may include military personnel and medical records, lay testimony, and medical opinions. If severe enough, anxiety and depression arising from a service-related condition may also qualify for an additional disability rating. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). Depending on what joint is affected, there will be an identifying diagnostic code assigned to the condition. Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions or extensions of muscles. You may qualify for VA disability compensation if you have an illness linked to Gulf War serviceoften called Gulf War Syndromein Southwest Asia, including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. Your VA doctor may conclude that your spinal stenosis is service-connected because of this pre-existing whiplash and disk herniation. This can sometimes be difficult to establish. If radiculopathy is caused by a low back condition, the individuals will feel the symptoms in the lower extremities (thigh, calf, foot). VA rates spinal stenosis according to 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System, Diagnostic Code 5238. If the condition is not severe enough to meet the above criteria, then the VA rating for back pain / arthritis will be based on specific symptoms. Finally, the general VA disability ratings table for spinal injuries and diseases allows ratings based on muscle guarding, muscle spasm, or tenderness in your back. In a February 2007 rating decision, the RO granted service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. Theres no presumptive benefit the burden is on the veteran to demonstrate a service connection to the stenosis. Specifically, VA rates spinal stenosis according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, outlined below: If you were denied VA disability benefits for spinal stenosis, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you through the appeals process. Forever Grateful, [K.S.]. 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. Since that time, we have provided compassionate These complications of stenosis are called. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. Mayo Clinic notes that there are two different types of spinal stenosis: While occasionally a person suffering from spinal stenosis will show zero symptoms, often Veterans seeking VA disability compensation for spinal stenosis will display one or more of the following symptoms: Cervical Stenosis Symptoms Numbness or tingling in your arm or leg, weakness in your arm or leg, problems walking, neck pain, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. you viewed to avoid repetition. 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. 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. Some joints are referred to as major joints, while others are referred to as minor joints. If spinal stenosis is suspected, your doctor may order X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or CT or CT myelogram. . This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. Call 800-544-9144 today for a free case evaluation or contact us here. A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide, Stenosis can occur in the spinal column itself, or it can occur within the intervertebral foramen, which are the passages through which your nerve roots branch out laterally through the spine. The following percentages are available under the rating criteria for rheumatoid arthritis: Its possible for rheumatoid arthritis to be rated under diagnostic code 5003 like degenerative and traumatic arthritis. Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the passages through which your nerves travel through your spine become narrow or partially blocked. 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. But it can also be a result of a spinal injury. A 2019 Inspector General report found that the VA processed the majority of the 62,500 spinal injury claims decided in the first half of 2018. The VA disability rating for spinal stenosis will be based on both individual ROM measurements and the total ROM measurement. If a Veteran only has one joint group affected by arthritis then there must also be painful motion present in order for a rating higher than 0% to be assigned. VA Disability Rating Levels and Compensation Amounts for Spinal Injury. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the stenosis and which nerves are affected. VA physicians will measure your range of motion in six places, using a goniometer. Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Spinal Injuries, Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits, VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained. 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) This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. You can file a disability claim for any secondary symptoms or conditions caused by your service-connected degenerative disc disease. If you are concerned that your VA disability percentage for spinal stenosis fails to account for the extent of your disability, you may wish to speak to a VA benefits lawyer. It can cause muscle weakness and pain or cramping extending from the buttocks down through the leg. A very common impairment caused by this nerve compression is sciatica. When these lateral nerve roots become compressed, it can disrupt the signals passing from your brain and spinal column out through the nerve roots to your arms, legs, and other parts of your body a condition called, Your spinal stenosis may be accompanied by other back conditions, including, Lumbosacral or cervical strain (diagnostic code 5237) used to refer to neck or, Spondylolisthesis/segmental instability (, Ankylosing spondylitis (diagnostic code 5240) a painful type of spinal arthritis. 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. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. A favorable position means that the spine is frozen at the baseline position or 0% flexion. If these records do not exist, it may also be possible to support a claim with post-service medical records that show a significant worsening. Other causes include tumors and lesions, enlargement of facet joints, thickened ligaments, injuries that cause displacement of vertebrae, vertebral fractures, and rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause bone spurs. Spinal stenosis can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the location of the spinal stenosis and the compressed nerve. Numbness or tingling in a hand, arm, foot, or leg, Pain or cramping in one or both legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk, which usually eases when you bend forward or sit. 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. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Some of the most common disabilities Veterans have are the result of injuries to their back, especially those related to the spine. The VA awards disability ratings for incapacitating episodes as follows: You may be asked to take a compensation & pension exam (C&P exam). To qualify for a 50 percent rating, a veteran would need to have "unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine." Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes destruction of the joints in the body. They will have you move, twist, or turn as far as you can without reaching your limit or experiencing significant pain and note the degrees of movement you can manage. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. you may be able to get a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes. 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. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Errors are frequently made when rating conditions. Yes No Does applicant expect to be out of work for at least 12 months? The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. IVDS commonly includes back pain and sciatica (pain along the course of the sciatic nerve into the buttock and the leg) in the case of lumbar disc disease, and neck plus arm or hand pain in the case of cervical disc disease. To receive VA disability for spinal stenosis, like all other disabilities, a Veteran must first establish service connection for the injury. If you are suffering from the effects of Spinal stenosis you may qualify for disability benefits. Other back impairments have a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent or lower. The VA has a separate rating system for these conditions. Trouble walking, and loss of bowel or bladder control may also result. Spinal stenosis Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety And more. Because the vertebrae are closer together, they tend to compress the nerves that lie inside the spine, especially the spinal cord. If spinal stenosis causes involuntary muscle reactions like these, a doctor can note them in your records and the VA can use them to arrive at a VA disability rating. The three elements needed to make a successful service connection claim include: When assessing your disability claims, VA examiners will look at your medical records during your time in the military and for a period afterward for evidence of a service connection. Because c-spine stenosis is a degenerative illness, a person's condition will continue to deteriorate . A veteran's Degenerative Disc Disease VA disability can be rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%. You should know that it's impossible to get disability benefits if you aren't . The VA can reject a claim that your condition was made worse during your service if it believes that the worsening was a natural progression of the condition. 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. Similarly, you can challenge a VA disability rating that could be increased through the submission of additional evidence.
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