30 percent disability rating: $508.05 per month. With this in mind, its important to know which spinal conditions are not rated under the general rating formula. To receive VA disability for spinal stenosis, like all other disabilities, a Veteran must first establish service connection for the injury. Less frequently, stenosis can occur in the upper back (thoracic). 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. I had been fighting for my benefits since 1980 by myself and I managed to get 50% rating. 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 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. If your MRIs dont show a significant stenosis, but you are experiencing severe back pain that still inhibits your ability to work, and you have intervertebral disc syndrome, you may be able to get a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes. Lack of cartilage causes pain and limitation of motion. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. 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. Entire cervical spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. However, the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. Spinal stenosis is a degenerative disc disease that occurs when there is pressure placed on the nerves in your spine. Many people with spinal stenosis and other back injuries experience anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems. How to Appeal a Denied Veterans Disability Claim General VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Forums . The sum of all these degree measurements together is called the ROM (range of motion) measurement. Acquired spinal stenosis is spinal stenosis due to cervical disc disease or cervical facet joint osteoarthritis. 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 . Thank you so much Woods & Woods. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is [K.S]. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. What is the diagnostic code for traumatic arthritis? This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Extraschedular VA Disability Ratings I have my transportation now. 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. Any injuries or disabilities that are the result of military service are eligible for compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Technically, the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. To qualify for disability because of spinal stenosis, you must meet several requirements: The stenosis must be in your lumbar region. A total disability rating (100 percent) will be assigned without regard to other provisions of the rating schedule when it is established by report at hospital discharge (regular discharge or release to non-bed care) or outpatient release that entitlement is warranted under paragraph (a) (1), or of this section . Do you have a low back (lumbar) injury related to your military service? If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, you will receive a disability rating between 0% and 100%. In many cases, symptoms resolve themselves with rest, physical therapy, exercise, and anti-inflammatories. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. With regard to the medical opinion, doctors must state that your condition is at least as likely as not due to your time in service. Their testimony can mean the difference between an approval or a denial of your case. Some of the conditions included in this category are degenerative arthritis, traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Given this variety of symptoms, it is easy to understand how spinal stenosis can be misdiagnosed. The diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. Depending on what joint is affected, there will be an identifying diagnostic code assigned to the condition. For example, the specific code for degenerative arthritis of the spine is 5242. 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. 4.30 Convalescent ratings. This guide will break down how the VA rates back pain and spinal disabilities, so you can take the first steps toward making a claim. These are periods of acute pain severe enough for a doctor to proscribe bed rest. In a February 2007 rating decision, the RO granted service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. You may not notice at the onset, but the pain will evolve slowly over time. If your service-related stenosis causes a secondary condition, that condition would be rated separately by the VA. An increase at this point for a spine disability requires additional loss of range of motion, ankylosis, or . Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine leads to neck pain, back pain, and sometimes causes pain to radiate into the arms and legs. Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. In order to be granted a VA disability rating for spinal stenosis at 30%, you must meet either of these conditions: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or Favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, where your spine is fixed in place but at a neutral position at 0 degrees. Our monthly newsletter features about important and up-to-date veterans' law news, keeping you informed about the changes that matter. AVVO 10/10 Superb Rating, BBB A+ Rated. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. If your spine is locked, but its in a favorable condition, your disability rating may be as low as 30% or 40%. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Call (855) 873-2604 For a Free Evaluation of Your Spinal Stenosis Disability Case. Often, spinal stenosis is caused by the formation of bone spurs that grow into your spinal canal. Phone: (757) 220-4529. Spinal stenosis can cause symptoms throughout the body. 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. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Unfavorable means any position that is not 0 degrees in flexion or extension. Severe disability and death may result from the association of cervical stenosis with even minor trauma resulting in the central cord syndrome. However, the VA disability rating for spinal stenosis is calculated exactly the same as other spinal diseases and injuries. Canes range from $25 to $100 and walkers can be more than $200. Basically, the SSA understands it's harder to go back to school, move for work or change careers after age 50. To qualify for disability because of lumbar spinal stenosis under listing 1.16, you must show that you suffer from ALL of the following: Non-radiating pain in one or both legs, or non-radiating loss of feeling in one or both legs, or neurogenic claudication (pain or cramping caused by nerve compression) For example, after a fall or motor vehicle accident, a military doctor may attribute leg and foot pain to a leg injury rather than spinal stenosis. 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. People with spinal conditions also often change how they walk to compensate for the pain which can lead to knee and hip problems. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). Severe paralysis of long periods can be shown by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited functionality of the affected body part. The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. Degenerative arthritis of the spine, sometimes referred to as facet joint osteoarthritis, causes a breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the back of the spine. . Even if your diagnosis of spinal stenosis occurred after your honorable discharge, you may still be eligible for VA disability benefits if your spinal stenosis arose during your time in the military, but was misdiagnosed. The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. If your back is not frozen, VA doctors will base their assessment on how much range of motion you have left, which they will measure with a goniometer. An unfavorable position means that the spine is frozen in a position other than the natural upright position. However, it can also be caused by herniated discs, thickened ligaments in your spine, tumors, and spinal injuries. To facilitate this process, the VA has created a ratings table. 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. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Theres no presumptive benefit the burden is on the veteran to demonstrate a service connection to the stenosis. For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. Spinal stenosis of the cervical and thoracic regions may contribute to neurologic injury, such as development of a central spinal cord syndrome following spinal trauma. In some cases, the VA may help veterans get surgery to treat spinal stenosis. 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. 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. . San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. When this evidence is presented to the VA, it may be possible to obtain VA disability benefits. When the nerves are compressed, electrical signals passing along those nerves can become disrupted. If these conservative options dont get results, your doctor may recommend injecting a corticosteroid into your spine, which can give you relief for a few days or weeks. A favorable position means the ROM measurement for flexion or extension is 0 degrees. 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. An unfavorable position means your spine is locked in a position that is something other than vertical. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint. 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. 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). It can cause muscle weakness and pain or cramping extending from the buttocks down through the leg. For example, fractured and/or dislocated vertebrae can lead to pain and weakness in the arms, hips, shoulders, etc. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense guidelines are based upon the best information available at the time of publication. The total ROM measurement is merely the sum of the individual ROM measurements for each of the spine segments. Get Directions. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. 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. Call 512-454-4000 for help today. 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. 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. As evidenced by the rating schedules below, the only back condition eligible for a 100 percent schedular rating is unfavorable ankylosis (immobility) of the entire spine. 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. yet assertive representation for our clients. A, Oftentimes, spinal conditions will cause other conditions, and these conditions qualify a Veteran for another rating. Vertebral fractures and dislocations (diagnostic code 5235). This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. 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. The ROM measurement is the maximum angle that you can move in each direction before reaching your physical limits or experiencing severe pain. VA Disability Rating Levels and Compensation Amounts for Spinal Injury. This is particularly true because nerve pain in the extremities can severely impact your earning ability. Congenital spinal stenosis is present at birth as a normal variant in the population or due to congenital conditions. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. Pocket Card . All the disabilities stemming from spinal stenosis should be accounted for in a fair VA disability rating. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint.