va disability rating for cervical spine fusion

That extra wear and tear on your other discs will make them deteriorate faster and require more future care. Military records that explain an activity or incident which may have led to neck pain can also help establish a relationship between service and the neck condition. The examiner will also test physical range of motion using a goniometer. Many of the angles in the chart above relate to forward flexion. Your final rating for spinal conditions (neck, upper back, mid back, lower back) depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms to include Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Painful Motion. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. A cervicalgia VA rating will be decided based on the severity of symptoms and how much they limit an individuals movement or range of motion. How to Get Disability for Spinal Fusion (Updated for 2023) First, You will need a current diagnosis for a spinal condition that necessitates spinal fusion as treatment. VA Disability ratings concerning your back fall into a few different groups: Your rating and diagnosis will depend on what is affected, your full measure of symptoms, and what affects your daily life the most. Your final VA Disability Rating for Neck and Shoulder Pain depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms to include Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Painful Motion. They will also test your range of motion at different angles to get an accurate picture of your condition. Cervical Fusion - Veterans Benefits Network Once the VA granted a service connection, a percentage rating will be assigned. In most cases, the spinal cord is damaged but still intact so the individual merely loses some However, the spinal cord can sometimes be severed completely or traumatized by gunshot wounds, serious falls, and car accidents. #11. 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.. The goal of spinal fusion surgery is to relieve the pain that these veterans are experiencing. This is Favorable or Unfavorable Ankylosis. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. However, that injury may accelerate the aging of your neck. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. We have recovered entitlements for clients after the VA made a wrong decision decades ago! Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Sometimes a veteran will not receive a 100% VA disability rating due to diagnostic criteria, but the conditions they have will prevent them from working. A current diagnosis of a back condition that necessitates a spinal fusion, A medical nexus (i.e. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Theyll need to see evidence that the spinal fusion is caused by your back condition and is related to your service. The general minimum for undiagnosed back pain veterans' disability benefits is 10%. To establish service connection for spinal fusion, the VA requires the following three elements: Service connection can be granted for a disability resulting from an injury during service, an incident during service that aggravated an existing condition, or exposure to a known hazard during service. You Might Also Like the Following Blog Posts: Cervicalgia is the formal term used to describe Neck Pain.. The favorable or unfavorable part refers to what position you are stuck in. What is the VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain? The examiner should provide the estimated range of motion based on a review of all procurable information to include the Veterans statement on examination, case-specific evidence (to include medical treatment records when applicable and lay evidence), and the examiners medical expertise. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 The veteran continues to prove service connection by submitting evidence that proves their neck pain interferes with their daily life. In selected cases, some surgeons use a synthetic substance instead of bone grafts. Yes it is. Service connection is a way for the VA to determine if a veterans disability is related to their military service. The rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. When reviewing claims for spinal fusions, the VA will look at things like X-rays, MRIs, medical records, and independent medical opinions from treating physicians. Back Pain VA Rating: A Guide to Spinal Injuries - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Is applying for VA benefits years after service allowed? . Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The good news is that the VA has a very specific process for evaluating Veterans who have had this type of surgery. Only individuals with chronic neck pain will be eligible for VA benefits. How to Get VA to Grant a Spinal Fusion Disability Rating For a 20% VA Disability rating, you have to have less than 120 degrees of combined flexion in your thoracolumbar spine. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. Neck pain refers to the top seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. How Do I Increase My VA Rating for Neck Pain? How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! If there is no diagnosis, a veteran will still need to show VA that connection. Cervical spine forward flexion of 15 or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (this will be on both lists! If youre seeking a VA disability rating for spinal fusion as a result of spinal fusion surgery, you will need to provide certain pieces of evidence to support your claim. If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date, and results (brief summary). Asthma secondary to GERD (acid reflux or heartburn) Asthma secondary to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. More importantly, when both the lumbar spine and cervical spine are affected by spinal stenosis, the two may be . We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! They both refer to your back being stuck in a way that you cant move around. When you hurt or feel numb, tell your doctor that youve reached the limit. What is the history (including onset and course) of the veterans cervical spine condition? If any limitation of motion is specifically attributable to pain, weakness, fatigability, incoordination, or other; please note the degree(s) in which limitation of motion is specifically attributable to the factors identified and describe. #8. The VA only gives a 50% rating if you have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Temporary disability rating after surgery or cast | Veterans Affairs These synthetic substances help promote bone growth and speed the fusion of the vertebrae. 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. It can provide significant relief for the patient. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Disability rates for the 70% to 100% ratings differ a bit from the 30-60% ratings in how bonuses are allocated based on dependents. There are a lot of other ailments that are classified under IVDS, and you may have better luck getting one of those service-connected instead of general IVDS. You might be able to lean right and left 30 just fine. These all involve the back bending in ways that it shouldnt. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Specifically, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as follows: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Fill out the short form below to contact us. You can enlist the help of an attorney or disability advocate. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. As of this writing, a total of 1,129,931 disabled veterans are service connected for neck conditions. Specifically, VA rates spinal stenosis according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, outlined below: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Radiculopathy is commonly rated as a secondary VA disability claim for secondary service connection due to one or more service connected neck, shoulder, and back conditions. 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). 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. Okay, lets explore how to get a VA Rating for Neck Pain as well as what you can expect at a C&P exam for your neck and shoulder. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Cervical spondylosis, or cervical osteoarthritis, is another serious medical condition that veterans suffer from. #17. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. Asthma secondary to Allergies. 100+ Most Common VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022) Anxiety secondary to Tinnitus. Neck injuries can even be caused by sitting still for too long. Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, Establishing a Service-related Connection to Spinal Fusion, Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating 30-60%, Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating 70-100%. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE! 50% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. They are very knowledgeable. Does the veteran have muscle atrophy? 20% VA Disability Rating for Cervicalgia: Can I Get a Secondary VA Rating to Neck and Back Conditions? Cervical Neck Fusion and Social Security Disability This device accurately assesses how far individuals are capable of bending or moving their joints. Its also helpful to have a private medical provider conduct a physical examination of your spine to document any new Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Pain Level (1-10). Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or. My back conditions have worsened. However, its important to remember that the VA will not automatically award a rating just because youve had spinal fusion surgery. Learn what youve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation youve earned for your service. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Combat and deployment do not factor into this decision, so even car wrecks that happen on leave are considered viable. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. The ratings range from 10% (minor afflictions) to 100% (significant impairment of the entire spine). Additionally, this disability classification requires evidence of muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to cause impaired gait or an abnormal contour of the spine. Disability Benefits by Percentage Rating and Dependent Status (As of 2020) Causes of Spinal Stenosis Causes can include herniated or bulging spinal discs. Like your legs tense up when youre about to land from a parachute jump, or the way your stomach tenses when a truck or an airplane is about to land. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Some veterans are bent over sideways but can still walk around with a cane. 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. Spinal weakness or instability. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? Back surgery will cause your rating to increase temporarily, but the permanent or even total rating will help you not have to go back to work. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) is a back condition in which an intervertebral disc or disc fragments are displaced at any level of the spine: lumbar, cervical, or thoracic. Top 100+ VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022 Edition) VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain and Spinal Arthritis 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. However, you must show that your symptoms are severe. Favorable ankylosis is when the spinal fusion does not result in changes to posture or standing/sitting form. Does the Veteran report flare-ups of the cervical spine? Unfavorable ankylosis occurs when spinal fusion causes posture changes such as hunched back or leaning to the side. The Back and Spine - Military Disability Made Easy This rating criterion is primarily based on a range of motion measurements. When determining your rating, the VA will consider your entire medical history, not just your spinal fusion surgery. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. Fused pieces or loose pieces of bone in your back can all affect your ability to twist around. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. VA ratings for neck pain require an accurate Range of Motion (ROM) test of the flexion extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the head. You will also need a copy of your operative report from the surgeon who performed your spinal fusion surgery. 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. 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. You're not alone. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. It also means that every few years you should check with the VA to see if you can get an increased rating. Common ailments that may necessitate spinal fusion include: Before understanding how VA ratings for spinal fusion work, you will first need to understand how to connect the spinal fusion to a service-related injury to be eligible for VA benefits. The VA can give you a rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the thumb and any finger. #12. Obtaining Cervicalgia VA Disability Ratings. It is better for your health to be diagnosed with favorable ankylosis but if you are diagnosed with unfavorable ankylosis, you'll get more money to help you out. Hill & Ponton P.A. You want to see a doctor with a good knowledge of VA disability ratings. If yes, document the Veterans description of functional loss or functional impairment in his/her own words. Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine up to 85 degrees or of the cervical spine up to 40 degrees. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. The more you are immobilized, the more your VA rating will increase. Learn more about how VA Claims Insider can help you get the rating you DESERVE!Speak with a VA Disability expert and start for FREE! All Rights Reserved. You can see that IVDS ratings are all riding on the number of time your back pain is so severe that you are laid out. Spinal fusion helps correct spinal deformities like a sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis). #13. Veterans must prove secondary service connection if their first service-connected condition causes a different disability or makes an existing disability worse. Other people are bent over frontwards with a hunchback type of posture. If abnormal ROM, does the range of motion itself contribute to a functional loss? Whiplash Whiplash happens when the neck experiences a forceful back and forth motion that causes lasting pain. You can also apply in person at your nearest Social Security office. Foraminal Stenosis This is a form of spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) that involves the tightening of foramen between bones in the spine. #19. VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain | The Tuley Law Office VA Ratings for Spondylosis. VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. 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. This means your spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. A Federal Circuit court ruling in April of 2018 decided that VA can award disability benefits for undiagnosed pain if it is linked to an injury, symptom, or in-service event. A single veteran with no dependents and a total disability rating of 40% would receive $627.61 per month, as of 2020. After all these assessments, the test practitioner will send VA an opinion about whether or not they believe your condition is related to your time in the military. 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. At VA Claims Insider, were here to walk you through everything you need to know, including how to file your VA claims. This means that your VA disability rating for neck pain will likely not be the primary rating involved in your TDIU, but it may supplement another more severe condition. If your VA claim is denied and you believe a mistake was made, you are allowed to appeal the decision. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. The highest scheduler rating for neck pain is 100 percent, which means your entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. If youve had a spinal fusion, you may wonder if youre eligible for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? 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.

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va disability rating for cervical spine fusion

va disability rating for cervical spine fusion