Radiculopathy can occur in the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine, or lumbar spine, depending on the location of the back condition. VA ratings for upper extremity radiculopathy is rated In accordance with 4.63 Loss of Use of a Hand or a Foot, for the purpose of special monthly compensation, will be held to exist when no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below elbow or knee with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. However, radiculopathy takes me to a combined 70%. The VA commonly requires C&P exams to rate disability and determine the connection to service. The sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting the In such cases, veterans can claim radiculopathy as a secondary condition in order to receive an increased VA rating - and may be eligible for a bilateral factor which is an additional 10% rating. This problem is most likely to occur in your lower back, but Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. This includes both medical evidence and lay evidence. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Furthermore, a veteran may receive separate VA ratings of Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. we represent clients nationwide. Neuralgia of the upper radicular group is rated based on When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. If your disability condition meets certain criteria (set forth by Congress), then your disability condition will be presumed to have been caused by service. The last lumbar vertebra (L5) articulates (moves) with the triangular shape, form the sacrum. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. This condition is detected by MRI and usually requires surgery. Secondary VA Claim Radiculopathy is a very important "secondary VA claim." Radiculopathy is a medical condition in which the nerves are compressed or irritated in the lower back[1]. Similarly, does your Traumatic Brain Injury cause depression? Top 6 Secondary Conditions to Lower Back Pain (The Insider's Guide) See the above sectionSecondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. 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. the Thoracic Spine. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. Regulation normally forbids assigning multiple ratings for one set of symptoms. What is service connection through aggravation, and can it apply to radiculopathy? The diagnostic code used to rate a veterans radiculopathy depends on which of the veterans nerves are impacted and their level of functioning. One of the most common conditions secondary to spinal conditions is radiculopathy. 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. 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. or more, will be taken as loss of use of the hand or foot involved. extension movement but limit rotation. remaining function of the hand or foot, whether the acts of grasping, provided by rating the service-connected lumbar spine disorders, degenerative Pro Tip: A Nexus Letter is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to help establish secondary service connection. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. 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. This can develop from a condition such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and in some cases neurologic conditions. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? VA Ratings To clarify, I have a combined 40% for back and neck sprains. Initial claim and secondary conditions : r/Veterans - Reddit The MRI does that for them. regeneration. carry most of the bodys weight. Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost, Sharp and radiating pain in the back, arms, legs or shoulders that may worsen with certain activities, even something as simple as coughing or sneezing, Weakness, fatigue, or loss of reflexes in the arms or legs, Numbness or tingling of the skin, pins and needles, or other abnormal sensations (paresthesia) in the arms or legs. Radiculopathy can have many different signs and symptoms as When these nerve roots become pinched or damaged, the Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. ClickHERE now to join VA Claims Insider Elite, our premier education-based membership program, which also gets you discounted access to independent medical providers in our referral network for medical examinations, VA disability evaluations, and credible Nexus Letters for a wide range of conditions! joint disease and radiculopathy, separately. Radiculopathy refers to symptoms that develop when there is compression of a spinal nerve root. Rating nerve conditions also involves identifying the nerve involved. It is circular in shape with a blunt peg-like structure For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. If the veteran has objective signs of impairment that can be found via testing, they will get only a moderate rating. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. thoracic spines range of motion and protect many vital organs. In: StatPearls [Internet]. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. Radiculopathy is commonly rated as a secondary VA disability 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. The MRI gives a rater proof of any damage to the spine, and that damage is typically where your radiculopathy starts. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 pursuant to 38 C.F.R. Secondary conditions are those that develop as a result of the primary condition. Radiculopathy - Mayo Clinic Orthopedics & Sports Medicine disabling. 4.23) are rated as 70 percent extremity. In addition to secondary service connection, veterans may also be able to seek service connection through aggravation. This is the least common type. turn. Urinary dysfunctions are issues that often fly under the radar in veterans. Secondary conditions are rated in the same manner as primary service-connected conditions, using the same rating schedules. Many back and neck issues are rated under these generic terms. Hi veterans, Brian Reese here with VA Claims Insider, and in this Ultimate Guide, Im going to reveal and explain the Top 100+ VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions. movements not affected, warrants a 70 percent rating for the major side and a New and relevant evidence can be used not only in filing a claim, but also to appeal a negative decision, or to reopen an old claim. Today, even though you are no longer serving, that service-connected tinnitus might be causing migraine headaches, anxiety, and/or depression. Do you have symptoms of radiculopathy? How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! However, complete paralysis of the affected area can yield a 70% rating. 40% for each lower extremity, depending upon the severity of symptoms. The lumbar spine has more range of motion than the thoracic Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. it can also affect your neck. [1] Alexander CE, Varacallo M. Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. Moderate incomplete paralysis is rated as 20 percent These secondary conditions can be claimed for additional benefits if the veteran is able to prove that they resulted from the primary condition. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 Radiculopathy is a nerve condition that occurs when a veteran's spinal nerve is pinched, resulting in weakness, tingling, or numbness in their legs or arms. Additionally, if a veteran has a service-connected knee condition that aggravates a non-service-connected back condition, they could get service connection for their back based on aggravationprovided they can prove that their condition was worsened beyond its natural progression by military service. The Ultimate Guide to VA Disability Benefits for Neck Pain 60 percent rating for the minor side. Perhaps you already had a health condition when entering the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and it was aggravated during your active duty service. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Keep in mind that a VA rating for radiculopathy is normally determined as a secondary condition, contingent on another spinal disability. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you have pain with certain movements, this may help your doctor identify the affected nerve root. (b) Complete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve (common peroneal) and consequent, footdrop, accompanied by characteristic organic changes including trophic and circulatory disturbances and other concomitants confirmatory of complete paralysis of this nerve, will be taken as loss of use of the foot. In addition to longer spinous processes, rib attachments add Generally, VA disability ratings for back pain range from 10% to 100% and depend upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms, including Painful Motion, Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM), and Functional Loss or Impairment. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8621, rather than Diagnostic Code 8626 for rating Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 An example is combat PTSD due to constant rocket and mortar attacks in Afghanistan. which can affect your upper back, middle back, and/or lower back. Amy Mallette is a Claims Advocate for Hill and Ponton. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Not so fast. Incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), if likely to occur. Imaging tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI scan, are used to better see the structures in the problem area. It may also cause weakness and numbness. Subsequently, I learned I had radiculopathy in my hand. lead to narrowing of the space around the nerve roots and subsequent nerve Radiculopathy is classified as a pain syndrome and can be caused by several lowerback conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. Secondary Conditions Linked to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) - VA Claims Insider Secondary Conditions Veterans Can Claim for Back Pain Often we have clients with 20% ratings for back disabilities who could qualify for higher ratings for their serious impairments. Myelopathy is a back condition that is caused from a previous trauma or injury. It is important to note that not all disc herniations cause nerve compression or pain. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Therefore, a service connection for back trouble is not unusual. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. VA Disability for Radiculopathy // Appeals, Claims, Denials - Vet Thoracic radiculopathy refers to a compressed nerve root in (The Insiders Guide). Radiculopathy is a nerve condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs. vertebrae into many different areas of your body. For example, a veteran is service-connected for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! How to File a VA Claim for Secondary Service Connection 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. If these conditions are directly linked to a combat-related disability, they would also be considered combat-related. The rating is 0% for mild symptoms and up to 20% for severe symptoms. But first, lets explore how the VA looks at Radiculopathy When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. It can affect the cervical spine (upper back/neck area), thoracic spine (mid-back), and lumbar spine (low back). Radiculopathy is a very important secondary VA claim. A secondary VA claim is an injury or illness that exists because of a service connected disability. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. 100+ Most Common VA Disability List of Secondary Conditions (2022). and have longer spinous processes. and press on nerves. A higher rating than those currently assigned is only 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. 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. The present VA ratings assigned for degenerative joint The typical symptoms of a radicular condition depend on the location of the affected nerves. yet assertive representation for our clients. If the veterans doctor has provided a favorable opinion on the claim, the vet can submit this supportive evidence in the C&P exam. Because the nerve roots in this area of the spine primarily How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! constitute a liberalizing VA regulation under . There are many secondary VA claims. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. There are many reasons why veterans would want to obtain a current VA disability letter with What is Radiculopathy for VA Disability Rating Purposes? VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Explained | CCK Law If a veteran with a service-connected back condition also feels numbness, tingling, or pain down one or both of his legs, buttocks, hips, shoulders, arms, or chest, they might be able to claim radiculopathy . Vets who receive a mailed notice should attend the exam to avoid a claim being denied. If you have both a service-connected back condition and radiculopathy you may be entitled disability benefits for your radiculopathy. VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy Explained - The Definitive Guide fused together to form the Coccyx (tailbone). Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 See 38 C.F.R. In this example, you could file a VA disability claim for migraine headaches secondary to your service-connected tinnitus. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. rating for Radiculopathy of a lower extremity. For example, someone with radiculopathy may also develop arthritis or degenerative disc disease. 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. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. 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). we represent clients nationwide. The SECOND part can be satisfied with a veterans existing service-connected disability rated at 0% or higher. Different groups will have different diagnostic codes. He can now file a claim with VA for secondary service connection for his radiculopathy since it was caused by his degenerative disc disease. How to Get VA Disability for Radiculopathy. >> 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). The skilled attorneys at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you navigate it. Sometimes a pre-existing condition is worsened by military service. Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation.. eCFR :: 38 CFR Part 4 Subpart B -- Disability Ratings The spine itself is made up of 33 bones and vertebrae to protect it from injury or trauma. Examples of secondary conditions that may arise as complications of stenosis include radiculopathy, neurogenic bladder, and knee and hip problems caused by walking difficulties due to stenosis. Notably, symptoms are serious pain, numbness, and tingling. Lumbar radiculopathy is a common condition among veterans. Remember, radiculopathy is probably going to be a secondary VA claim. amputation stump with prosthesis. Note that a veteran is eligible to be rated for both a neck condition, back condition, and Radiculopathy secondary to multipole extremities. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? For instance, which pages you go to most. In addition, Back Pain is a common secondary VA disability claim, especially Radiculopathy secondary to back . Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for 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. lumbar radiculopathy, also referred to as sciatica because nerve roots that The symptoms often follow a dermatomal distribution and can VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain Explained (The Definitive Guide) VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain - Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans This information is not a substitute for legal advice. The lumbar facet joints allow for significant flexion and The sciatic nerve is rated under diagnostic codes 8520, 8620, and 8720. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 For radiculopathy, relevant evidence relates to any element of the veterans claim. Under these characterizations, each nerve has its own disability rating for each level of severity. The AMA has been the VAs appeal system since 2019. This region consists of seven vertebrae, which are The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. Under that code, mild incomplete paralysis is rated 20 You need to make your raters job easy. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 We discuss how chronic pain affects mental healthin a different blog. Immediately below the sacrum are five additional bones, 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.. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. A secondary disability is. Notably, symptoms are serious pain, numbness, and tingling. 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. Your spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae, and Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 DOCX Department of Veterans AffairsM21-1, Part III, Subpart iv Lumbar myelopathy is rare but is worth mentioning due to the severity of the condition. 38 U.S.C. 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 VA disability appeals process is often long and arduous. For example, lets say youve got Tinnitus service connected at 10%, but because of the severity of your Tinnitus, youve developed Migraine Headaches. the cervical or lumbar regions. We have updated our Privacy Policy. 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. nerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partial paralysis of the radicular group of the major extremity, and a 40 percent Later, this became a secondary VA claim. 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. This results in pressure on the nerve roots themselves. To establish secondary service connection for these conditions, veterans must show that the onset and/or progression of each condition is the result of their neck pain. A veteran can receive up to a 40 percent VA disability There is a Today Im talking about my va claim and how to connect sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. narrowing of foramina is bone spurs. In this post, we will be exploring the VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy in great detail. Each of these veterans benefits have different eligibility criteria so be Brian Reese here with VA Claims Insider, and in this Insiders Guide, Im going to reveal and explain how to get a VA Rating for Depression Secondary to Tinnitus. But keep in mind, it is not unusual for radiculopathy to affect more than one nerve. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. You're not alone. Radiculopathy is caused by compressed nerves in the spine and results in pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the nerve. All Rights Reserved. Secondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. Due to the nature of back injuries, it is common for other parts of the body or bodily functions to be affected by secondary conditions to back pain. 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8710, pertaining to neuralgia Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. One common cause of foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy is These vertebrae protect the brain stem and the spinal cord, However, radiculopathy takes me to a combined 70%. 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. Examples of in-service incidents may include: Veterans do not necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. In this post, well reveal and explain how to download copies of your VA benefit letters online. However, this condition typically worsens over time, especially if not treated. Secondary claims are an extremely important tool. Those with cervical radiculopathy will be rated within the upper radicular group, middle radicular group, and lower radicular group which include the musculospiral nerve, median nerve, axillary nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve, the long thoracic nerve, and the ulnar nerve. Many back and neck issues are rated under these generic terms. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. in more detail. When the involvement is wholly sensory, the rating should be Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. If you have a direct service connection for your back condition and have developed any of these conditions or symptoms of these conditions, you may be entitled to VA benefits due to secondary disability and are entitled to a VA disability rating for the same. You may, for example, have developed radiculopathy that stems from a back strain or a back injury you suffered during military service. A few examples of these secondary conditions or complications are radiculopathy, myelopathy, urinary incontinence and/or frequency along with mental health conditions as well. For migraines to qualify for a VA disability rating, you must prove that your symptoms are part of a diagnosed condition. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Together, the Atlas and Axis enable the head to rotate and Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 This may also apply if you had existing radiculopathy that was made worse during your time in the service. Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. Instead of proving that your disability is directly service-connected, youll need to prove that its caused or made worse by a different disability (which is service-connected). This occurs when a nerve in the lower portion of the back is pinched, and it can cause numbness and tingling in the hips and legs. In accordance with 38 CFR 3.310 current disability condition that is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury shall also be service connected. In accordance with38 CFR 3.310disabilities that are proximately due to, or aggravated by, service-connected disease or injury, a current disability condition, which is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury shall be service connected. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. It is possible to prove service-connection for radiculopathy.