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Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on May 7, 2020 by Mike Woods Last Updated on September 6, 2022. back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations, talk to our staff to write up a lay statement, Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Neurological issues VA disability articles, I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm, Pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower back, The highest level of pain when theyre sitting or standing, Difficulty standing up for long periods or walking for a long time, A worsened pain after sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing, An in-service situation or event that may have caused or contributed to your problem, A medical opinion linking the in-service situation or event to your sciatica condition (. yet assertive representation for our clients. the knee do not work at all, and the knee has serious trouble bending (bending This period is three months unless another length (such as six months or one year) is noted in the condition ratings. Instead, its a precise way of describing the location of the pain. Symptoms of moderately severe, moderate, and mild sciatic neuritis can be given a range of ratings including 40, 20, and 10 percent. it is rated 20%. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gulf War Syndrome all have the capability of a higher rating. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. A doctors physical exam and electromyogram (EMG) that confirms a radicular condition serve as bases for ratings. cannot be lifted by the muscles in the legs), all the muscles in the leg below Veterans may be able to claim not only service-connected disability benefits but also secondary service-connection that the Department of Veterans Affairs might have missed. What is the VA disability rating for Sciatica? The bilateral factor refers to when a veteran has a disability that affects both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. Increasingly, the examiners useDisability Benefits Questionnaires, which independent medical experts can also fill out. Below we're sharing the VA range of motion chart used to rate back . If you want a permanent disability rating for your joint pain, youll need a diagnosis and a clear measurement of your range of motion. rated 60%. I was already SC and rated 20% for my back and 10% for right leg sciatica. Radiculopathy in arms, buttocks or lower extremities can be secondary to several underlying physical conditions, such as: Because it is related to and accompanies numerous other back issues, radiculopathy is frequently claimed as a veterans disability that is secondary to other back conditions or back pain. The key isnt how far you can move, but how far you can move before you are in pain. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. As we mentioned earlier, sciatica is caused by the irritation of the roots of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine, which can result from several physical activities. movements that make the pain pronounced, as what gives you relief are all The examiners report to the VA Regional Office (RO), where the decision is made. While one veteran may have specific symptoms, and the Regional Office finds that they have moderate sciatica, another veteran could have those very same symptoms and be judged as having mild sciatica. Sciatica is not a direct diagnosis of the problem. Every case is different, so please contact our certified team. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. For radiculopathy, relevant evidence relates to any element of the veterans claim. It comes with symptoms like numbness in your hands and feet, a lack of flexibility, and even digestion or bowel issues. currently suffering from the condition. Well also look and see if you can apply for more than one to combine and increase your benefits. Thats because if your sciatica results in limited motion, you can only receive one rating for it. Work with some experienced VA lawyers to make sure you get all that you deserve on your first application. Radiculopathy is classified as a pain syndrome and can be caused by several lower back conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! This damage can occur due to an accident, disease, or overuse. Symptoms of radiculopathy include radiation of pain from the lower back down into the legs, often described as a sharp-shooting, electric pain. If the veterans doctor has provided a favorable opinion on the claim, the vet can submit this supportive evidence in the C&P exam. However, in rare circumstances, veterans can experience bilateral sciatica. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. When a VA examination is scheduled, the claimant must cooperate by reporting for the examination. Damage to one or more of these discs can cause compression to a nearby nerve root. Higher ratings are reserved for more severe cases. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. If you cant feed yourself, you would be closer to the 50-70 level and maybe even qualify for Aid and Attendance. Fill out the short form below to contact us. Radiculopathy is a broad diagnosis for the symptoms from a pinched nerve root at the spinal column base. Sciatica is the pain that one experiences Partial paralysis can result in poor blood Obtaining VA Disability for Radiculopathy. Back pain can be established as a service-connected disability, but did you know there are specific conditions like radiculopathy that can get you a higher VA rating? There are a lot of other back conditions that can get you a higher rating and therefore more money per month from the VA. Back pain is also a general term without a diagnosis, so you probably wont get a permanent rating. However, the most common rating for lumbar radiculopathy is under the sciatic nerve. I have my transportation now. When it comes to requesting benefits from the VA, sciatic nerve conditions such as sciatica are ranked in three different categories established on the degree of severity of symptoms. To understand this condition, it helps to understand the parts of the spine: Vertebrae. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? These cookies collect information about how you use our website. The most commonly affected nerve for this type is the sciatic nerve, which is broken up into five separate nerves depending on which part of the leg is impacted. Movement can be restricted not only because of pain in your neck but moving a certain way can make you lose feeling in your hands. Sciatica ratings are usually based on whether the sciatica is mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe. Back injuries and various musculoskeletal You can download the questionnaire right here to see what kind of questions they are going to ask about your back. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. A buddy statement can go a long way as we add it to your evidence. The nice thing about this is that while you only have one back, you can get multiple ratings for a left leg and a right leg which can then be combined into a greater rating. 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. To diagnose the causes of your sciatica, the In fact, over two million veterans suffer from nerve damage. This is also called flexion. It causes symptoms that spread out from the back down 1 or both legs. If you cant stand at work because your legs go numb or if you cant lift weights at the factory because you cant lift your arm, be sure to say that in detail and get it on the record at your exam. That is only the average, but even if you start applying with a 10% now, youll be in great shape to increase your rating to 60% later. I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. Of course, the words Severe, Moderate, Mild all have vague meanings. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Secondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve, a 60% rating will be given. This leaves room for many different interpretations and inconsistencies between the Regional Offices, Board of Veterans Affairs judges, and more. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] complete medical examination by a primary care doctor. I served during peace timein theArmy. Each of these severities has their own diagnostic code and separate assigned percent ratings under 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings - neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. Code 8720: Lay evidence can include the veterans own statements, as well as statements from family members, attesting to the frequency of flare-ups, daily challenges, measures needed to manage the symptoms, loss of sleep, loss of alertness, etc. Symptoms including severe loss of reflexes, loss of sensation, muscle atrophy, and severely reduced movement can be considered severe neuritis. Keep track of how often and how severe your episodes are. The call and the advice we give you on that call are all free. pain will be categorized under neuralgia. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. In 2019, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report which said that the lack of specifics in the rating criteria is leading to unfair and arbitrary decision-making. when the sciatic nerve is irritated. first stage will involve getting a complete history of your pain, as well as However, a few years after he was granted service connection, he was diagnosed with radiculopathy of his lower extremities due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. If your mom remembers a before and after, have her talk to our staff to write up a lay statement to back your case. If your Sciatic nerve causes your foot to drop and impairs your walking and you cant lift your knee, you might get up to an 80% rating. your nerves, will also be tested. Given that radiculopathy is commonly caused by back conditions, it is typically service-connected on a secondary basis. You can look at all of these ratings in more detail by diagnostic code on 38 CFR 4.124a Schedule of ratings neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. It is possible to prove service-connection for radiculopathy. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Remember, sciatica is the pain that an individual receives when the sciatic nerve is irritated. This Firm is So Good at what they do! Paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. 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. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. VA then assigns a rating based on the levels of functioning and severity, and the affected nerve group. To prove service-connection for radiculopathy, a veteran must show a current medical diagnosis of radiculopathy that is linked to the in-service occurrence of the radiculopathy, or an in-service incident that caused or aggravated the radiculopathy. For direct service connection, you should prove the three elements: Once youre diagnosed with sciatica or a related issue, its time to file aVA disability claimfor VA benefits. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! To understand the causes of your sciatica, the first stage of the examination will involve you giving a complete history of your pain and symptoms relating to the issue. If you need helpclaiming benefitsfor sciatic nerve issues, you believe you received an unfairly low rating, or your claim was denied, were here to help. Youll move your head forward and backward like you are looking up and down. Lower back pinched nerves are the most common type and even have sub-classes of diagnoses. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The VA uses a general rating formula called the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities to determine the specific percent rating. A preexisting condition is presumed aggravated if the condition: A veteran does not need to show that a certain incident during service aggravated the disabilityonly that it became worse during service. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. . 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. The diagnostic code used to rate a veterans radiculopathy depends on which of the veterans nerves are impacted and their level of functioning. 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). The nerve is occasionally or consistently painful and it can include a tingling or numbness. Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. As such, the report recommended VA create concreate criteria for determining whether neurological impairment related to the spine is mild, moderate, or severe. Loss of ability to lead a normal and functional life is the exact reason that VA disability benefits are awarded. Aggravation ratings work slightly differently than primary and secondary service connection ratings, depending on the initial severity of the condition compared to the present level of severity. Sciatica refers to pain that links to a problem with the sciatic nerve. Call today. If they can be shown to warrant separate ratings, then they will be combined together. Therefore, a service connection for back trouble is not unusual. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Already working with us? This is the biggest nerve in the human body, and it extends from the lower back right through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. Radiculopathy Secondary to Back Disabilities; . Secondary conditions develop as a result of an underlying condition or injury. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. Sciatica is not an actual diagnosis of a Contact Us Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. These terms, which the rating schedule uses, are highly subjective and vaguely defined. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. What is service connection through aggravation, and can it apply to radiculopathy? Here are some tips on your C&P exam from one of our VA disability lawyers. Radiculopathy falls under the larger umbrella of neuropathy, which deals with general nerve damage. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Once the history of your sciatica has been established, a physical exam will then be completed by a state-certified technician to understand the underlying cause of your sciatica issue. The cervical area is around your neck and shoulders. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, Veterans who are seeking an increased rating or service connection for a new disability often ask whether re-opening their file can cause the VA to reduce their existing rating. Popular Articles 2023 Military Discounts Offered by Stores, Services and Online Sites Things such as your spinal range of Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. Here at Woods and Woods VA Disability Lawyers, weve been helping veterans gain the VA rating they deserve for years and we have the skill and experience to help you gain the support you need. 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? Even if you already have achieved the service connection or the 10% rating for back pain, you can still get help from us to increase your rating or double-check your effective date. Different groups will have different diagnostic codes. Remember if you ever fell, what your daily activities included, and how those activities could hurt your back. For radiculopathy specifically, youll be rated on neurological symptoms. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 The latter is known asspinal stenosis. 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. If you just drop the remote control sometimes but otherwise youre fine, youll be closer to barely getting the 20% rating. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. As such, veterans living with sciatica may have trouble with many activities of daily living, including working certain jobs. TDIU is a more complex process than just one disability most of the time, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Neurological issues VA disability articles, Woods and Woods fought hard for this Army Veteran, All shoulder and elbow movements lost or seriously affected but hand and wrist are normal. The different nerves in your back are grouped together and carry different VA rating schedules. You should start the five year process for applying for VA benefits today. What is going to clarify those words is how paralysis affects your life. 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. Each one of these areas connects nerves from your brain to all over your body. The angle of your flexion for your cervical and thoracolumbar spine areas determines what your rating will be. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. The VA may award service-connected disability benefits for conditions that arose before the time of active duty but worsened during it. That said, veterans need to claim their back injury in a highly specific way. Symptoms Was the veteran able to go through and explain all the important points about symptoms and experiences? Yes, any injury that happened during your active duty, even when you were on leave or even playing basketball on the base, is service-connected. Rating nerve conditions also involves identifying the nerve involved. Tingling from the spinal area outward into the hips, legs, The cervical spine, conveying sensation to the neck and arm muscles, The thoracic or middle spine, conveying sensation to the chest, midsection, and ab muscles, Was noted in the service persons entrance examination, Got worse during the persons time of service, as shown by medical records such as a comparison of reports on the veterans disability before and during, or soon after, service, Worsened more in service than it would have worsened outside of service. This may also apply if you had existing radiculopathy that was made worse during your time in the service. This compression or 'pinching' of the spinal nerve root is what is known as radiculopathy. Counsel can be very helpful for a successful C&P exam, and the right preparation can be the difference between an approval or denial. You also bend backward just a little bit, but not much. Theyll also check the reflexes in your knees, as well as your nerves. Took a whole 10-15 min. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. You dont have to pay anything until we win your case anyway. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The coccyx is your tailbone and its at the very bottom. As of 2020, roughly one million veterans are service-connected for paralysis of the sciatic nerve, making it the most commonly service-connected neurological condition. When one is suffering from severe but Thus, a bilateral factor will also be This only applies to your neck. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. To be eligible for VA disability benefits for sciatica, you must first prove that your condition is the result of your time in the military service. Incontinence can also occur as a result. 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. Peripheral neuropathy manifests as weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands or feet. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about VA benefits for back pain. it can cause all the muscles below the leg and knee to stop working altogether. we represent clients nationwide. Both! If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. When you apply for VA disability for Cervical or Lumbar Radiculopathy, the key is how much paralysis you experience and how often. I have 21 pages of VA medical documentation for burning, altered gait, radical symptoms, inability to ambulate, in addition to over 50 days of work missed this year, 2 local ER visits, and 1 VA ER visit. Sciatica occurs when the pressure on the spinal nerve results in pain developing on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Nerve issues are rated by VA under three separate categories that are based on symptom severity. Lumbar radiculopathy is irritation or inflammation of a nerve root in the low back. It doesn't matter what you call the disability, as long as VA knows what you are talking about. You can download the questionnaire right here to see what kind of questions they are going to ask about your back. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. If a nerve condition affects both sides of the body (such as both arms or legs), VA should issue a rating for each side and an additional bilateral factor. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is all based on how your shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands can move. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 This includes both medical evidence and lay evidence. 0 Percent VA Disability Rating: What It Means and How to Make the Most of Your 0% Benefits, The Complete Guide to Getting a VA Rating for Nerve Damage. Heres a tip: after checking where youd be ranked under sciatica code, check whether you have limited motion of your hip, knee, or ankle. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, They experience the most Sort of, if you have symptoms that could be tied to either of those disabilities, talk to one of our doctors that works with VA claims every day. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, but youve never visited the doctor about it, pick up the phone and call the VA nearest to you to make an appointment. You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits Check Eligibility For many people, sciatica can be treated effectively and the symptoms resolve. document what special considerations you need at work to deal with this problem. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. If you are suffering from neuritis, the highest Discover exactly what sciatica is and whether yournerve ratingsallow you to claim benefits for your condition. Fill out the short form below to contact us. For sciatica, for example, in radiculopathy of the lower back, the VA appliesrating criteriaspecific to the sciatic nerve (diagnostic code 8720), and assigns a disability percent rating on whether the neuralgia is moderate or mild. than moderate, even if it is considered severe. The rating for incomplete paralysis is Veterans who do not meet the schedular requirements may still be considered for extraschedular TDIU under 4.16(b). This could have a direct effect on your work if you cant look around while holding a weight. sensation and severe loss of reflexes, your rating will be categorized under Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Often, those who experience sciatica have dull back pain and a sensation of an electrical current zapping them in their legs. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. VA does have some criteria in its Adjudication Procedures Manual, or the M21. VA disability ratings for back pain go from 10% to 100% depending on how severe your symptoms are, including your range of motion and pain frequency and level. Dont hide anything and be explicit and detailed about what hurts and what is numb.

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