This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. You could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free disability compensation you deserve by law, and not even realize that your current VA disability might be caused or aggravated by an existing service connected disability. disability of the anterior crural or femoral nerve. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. The moderate nerve rating changes based on the specific nerve. carry most of the bodys weight. 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, commonly affected nerves is the sciatic nerve, which causes pain down the back of the thigh into the calf and foot, Veteran with low back conditions such as degenerative disc disease, back injuries, it is common for other parts of the body or bodily functions to be affected by secondary conditions to back pain, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/myelopathy, Veteran Substance Abuse and VA Disability Benefits, Secondary Service Connection for Medical Issues Related to Back Problems. C2 is Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Radiculopathy is a "pinched nerve." Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. Firstly, you need to explore your current disabilities and research if there are any common secondary claims waiting there for you to connect. In mild cases, symptoms but not significant impairments exist. You file for radiculopathy ratings after you are already rated for the back or neck. Vets who receive a mailed notice should attend the exam to avoid a claim being denied. Examples of in-service incidents may include: Veterans do not necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. and Radiculopathy secondary to lower back pain. the thoracic area of the spine, which is your middle to upper back. How to File a VA Claim for Secondary Service Connection By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. During her time at UCF, she interned with the Public Defenders Office and the Florida House of Representatives, desiring to use her education to fight for others. The rule authorizing VA to establish the five secondary TBI-related conditions in 38 CFR 3.310 is effective, January 16, 2014. . Other key evidence may include a medical experts professional opinion that the service-connected condition (low back strain, for example) caused the radiculopathythus indicating a secondary service-connected disability. we represent clients nationwide. Which VA Diagnostic Codes Will Give You The Highest VA Disability Rating. Amy Mallette, Claims Advocate Updated: June 21, 2020. There are many reasons why veterans would want to obtain a current VA disability letter with What is Radiculopathy for VA Disability Rating Purposes? However, radiculopathy takes me to a combined 70%. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. 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. DOCX Department of Veterans AffairsM21-1, Part III, Subpart iv VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy - Hill & Ponton, P.A. sacrum. Radiculopathy does involve a condition of the spinal nerve, and for a specific rating for anerve condition the determination is based on (a) paralysis, meaning that the nerve has no ability to function; (b) neuritis, meaning that the nerve is irritated, and there is numbness, muscle atrophy, or loss of reflexes; or (c) neuralgia, meaning that the nerve produces intermittent or continual pain, possibly accompanied by numbness and tingling. If you experienced radiculopathy during military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits for your disability. This is the most common method of service connection for VA disability compensation benefits. All Rights Reserved. But first, lets explore the five (5) types of service connection, keeping in-mind the focus of this post, which is secondary service connection and service connection by aggravation. Top 72 Federal Veteran Benefits From A to Z (2024 Edition), Can I Get a VA Rating for Depression Secondary to Tinnitus? Symptoms of radiculopathy vary by location but frequently include pain, weakness, numbness and tingling. provided by rating the service-connected lumbar spine disorders, degenerative VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain and Spinal Arthritis Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. Higher ratings are reserved for more severe cases. Radiculopathy is a medical condition in which the nerves are compressed or irritated in the lower back[1]. 100+ Most Common VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022). VA Disability Rating for Back Pain Injury | Berry Law These tissues include bones of the spinal vertebrae, tendons and intervertebral discs. Subsequently, I learned I had radiculopathy in my hand. In addition, Radiculopathy is a common secondary VA disability claim, especially Radiculopathy secondary to back conditions or back pain. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 The neck region of the spine is known as the Cervical Spine. I See The Value- How Do I File A Secondary VA Claim? However, it can be rated at 30% in extreme situations. Myelopathy[2] is the most serious of the conditions that have been mentioned. We will discuss this below for your VA claims. Secondary VA Claim - Radiculopathy - Combat Craig We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. disc. If you find yourself using the restroom more than usual or experiencing incontinence, it is a good idea to keep a diary of how often you go, any accidents, whether you need to wear absorbent material, and/or how often you must change due to accidents. Veteran with low back conditions such as degenerative disc disease, cauda equina syndrome, lumbago, etc. 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. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. To clarify, I have a combined 40% for back and neck sprains. are often affected by urinary frequency or incontinence. Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims. Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School. A complete list of VA Ratings Later, this became a secondary VA claim. 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. 5110(g) and . Radiculopathy is typically caused by changes in the tissues surrounding the nerve roots. Many the Atlas. pursuant to 38 C.F.R. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Back conditions are one of the most common medical complaints that the Department of Veterans Affairs sees. However, complete paralysis of the affected area can yield a 70% rating. ? What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? For example, does your service connected knee injury cause you to overuse your other knee? For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. However, a VA rating for Sciatica can range from 10% to 80%, depending upon the severity of symptoms. On occasion, these discs slip out of place or become damaged I have a cervical sprain rated at 20% and a thoracolumbar sprain also rated at 20%. Radiculopathy is unique. Symptoms of radiculopathy include radiation of pain from the lower back down into the legs, often described as a sharp-shooting, electric pain. This can develop from a condition such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and in some cases neurologic conditions. Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spinal column is pinched and becomes inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Each of these is a secondary VA claim. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. You're not alone. compression. Spinal discs act as cushions between your vertebrae. >> Click One of the most commonly affected nerves is the sciatic nerve, which causes pain down the back of the thigh into the calf and foot. Radiculopathy is often a secondary service condition, brought on or exacerbated by another service-connected condition. Neuritis of the sciatic nerve is rated under 38 C.F.R. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! One of the most common secondary conditions related to a back problem is radiculopathy, a type of nerve disability, including sciatica. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. VA Disability for Radiculopathy // Appeals, Claims, Denials - Vet Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? The thoracic vertebrae are larger than the cervical bones And we help veterans get the VA rating they deserve in less time, if theyve already filed, been denied, or have given up hope. paralysis of the radicular group of the major extremity, and a 40 percent But, if you really want to get on the fast track, I highly recommend you do what I did: Enroll in Combat Craigs Boot Camp. Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 The skilled attorneys at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you navigate it. 38 CFR 4.71a is where all of the neck (cervical) and other . the cervical or lumbar regions. It covers vertebrae C1-C7. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. You can file a new, secondary service-connection. If you have lower back problems and radiculopathy in your lower limbs, that's also all one issue for the VA. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. We discuss how chronic pain affects mental healthin a different blog. We offer this information to our readers as general information only. percent disabling for both the major and minor side. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 Did you know there are HUNDREDS of common secondary VA claims that you can get service connected by law? In myelopathy, the pressure is placed on the spine itself, as compared to radiculopathy which places pressure on the nerve roots. Although this list is not exhaustive, we tried to stick with the most common VA secondary conditions for secondary service connection. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. 60 percent rating for the minor side. A showing of causation requires that the secondary VA disability claim is proximately due to or aggravated by another service-connected disability. narrowing of foramina is bone spurs. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. This results in pressure on the nerve roots themselves. >> Click HERE NOW << to sign up for our premier education-based Coaching/Consulting program VA Claims Insider Elite, start free today, connect with a Veteran Coach in minutes, and get high-quality Nexus Letters at reduced rates (if wanted and warranted by the evidence of record).