For example, a car accident or other trauma such as a back injury caused by service, can dislocate or fracture vertebrae, which could lead to spinal stenosis. The VA not only makes mistakes in evaluation the severity of a condition, but sometimes they evaluate a condition according to the completely wrong rating criteria. However, the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security 1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders - Adult Section 1.01 Category of Impairments, Musculoskeletal . Most issues that cause temporary (not chronic) back pain receive a VA disability rating between 10%-40%. Many people with spinal stenosis and other back injuries experience anxiety, depression, and substance abuse problems. Spinal discs act as cushions between your vertebrae. This is known as secondary service connection. If the spine is frozen in a favorable position, the disability rating may be capped at 40%. For instance, which pages you go to most. 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. If you believe your current spinal injuries are the result of military service, you could receive VA disability for spinal stenosis. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. You may qualify for VA disability compensation if you have an illness linked to Gulf War serviceoften called Gulf War Syndromein Southwest Asia, including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. THE ISSUE. Because c-spine stenosis is a degenerative illness, a person's condition will continue to deteriorate . Spinal stenosis is typically diagnosed with x-rays or MRIs of the spine showing a narrowing of the spinal canal. Lack of cartilage causes pain and limitation of motion. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. When this evidence is presented to the VA, it may be possible to obtain VA disability benefits. At Hill & Ponton, we have helped thousands of veterans successfully resolve their disability claims with the VA. For a free, confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your case, total disability individual unemployability, Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis, Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability, Why you may need a veterans disability attorney. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Call 800-544-9144 today for a free case evaluation or contact us here. If you believe you may have been wrongly denied benefits, you may benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer. Our doctors know how service-connected disabilities work, so they know what to look for in your file. Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Diseases Prosthetic Implants and Resurfacing 1 Also entitled to special monthly compensation. Regardless of the underlying cause, spinal stenosis leads to pressure on nerves running through the spinal canal. 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. Please register to post comments. Although this type of arthritis is most common in the small joints of the hands and feet, it can occur in any joint. Rather, they are added using VA math. When rheumatoid arthritis affects the spine, it typically occurs in the cervical spine (the neck) rather than the thoracolumbar spine (the low back). Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in compromise of the cauda equina 1.17 Reconstructive surgery or surgical arthrodesis of a major weight-bearing joint 1.18 Abnormality of a major joint(s) in any extremity . Yes No Does applicant expect to be out of work for at least 12 months? bulging, herniated, or degenerated disc and request a re-calculation, Get Our Team Started Reviewing Your Case for Free Today, you should talk to a VA Disability law attorney first, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Woods and Woods fought hard for this Army Veteran. 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. Your Condition Must be Connected to Your Service to Obtain a VA Disability Rating Spinal Stenosis, When it occurs in the cervical spine (the neck and upper section of the back). They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. 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 You may be eligible for VA disability benefits if you meet both of these requirements. That is, your stenosis wasnt diagnosed at the time, but it likely came about as a result of an injury or illness that has been established as service-connected. I had been fighting for my benefits since 1980 by myself and I managed to get 50% rating. 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 . Under the IVDS schedule, a VA disability rating can be obtained based on the number and frequency of incapacitated episodes in which bed rest is ordered by a physician. We advocate for the disabled. 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) Secondary service connection occurs when a service-connected disability causes another disability. Already working with us? Evidence of diagnosis of your spinal stenosis while you were in the military; Information about an occurrence or an incident that occurred while you were serving led to the injury or aggravation of this injury; Medical nexus a medical description that connects the diagnosed stenosis with the particular occurrence that is said to lead to it. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. 30 percent disability rating: $508.05 per month. Were You Denied VA Disability Benefits for Spinal Stenosis? This test results in six measurements taken while moving the neck for the cervical spine and six measurements taken while moving the back for the lumbar spine. Thank you so much Woods & Woods. The VA disability rating for spinal stenosis will be based on both individual ROM measurements and the total ROM measurement. .. Jan 17, 2012 #2. 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. These exams are called comprehensive preventive health evaluations (CPHE) or wellness checks.. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Phone: (757) 220-4529. To qualify for the total unemployability disability benefit, you must meet two distinct criteria: Note that theres a significant difference in monthly disability benefits between a 40% disability rating and a 100% disability rating. Technically, the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. 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. 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). Spinal stenosis Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety And more. This makes sense because a spine frozen in an unfavorable position would place the greatest stress on the body and have the greatest impact on the veterans ability to work. . Spinal stenosis caused by IVDS qualifies for a separate IVDS disability rating and you are entitled to the higher of the two ratings. The spinal cord can be squeezed causing pain and numbness in the back or weakness in one or both legs. 14K 1,344 9. Foraminal stenosis is the narrowing or the tightening of the openings located between the bones of your spine. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Pocket Card . The latter two will show whether soft tissue may be impinging or invading the spinal cord area. The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20%, despite how much pain the condition may cause. The VA routinely mishandles spinal injury claims. Fill out the short form below to contact us. REPRESENTATION. Any injuries or disabilities that are the result of military service are eligible for compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The total ROM measurement is merely the sum of the individual ROM measurements for each of the spine segments. Step 1: Make Sure You Pass All Technical Requirements for Disability Benefits. An increase at this point for a spine disability requires additional loss of range of motion, ankylosis, or . 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. means your spine is locked in a position that is something other than vertical. Spinal stenosis is a type of back injury that a Veteran could develop after an in-service injury. have the greatest impact on the veterans ability to work. 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. The general rating formula for spinal stenosis and the other spinal conditions listed above is as follows: General Rating Formula Spinal Stenosis and Select Spinal Conditions. A favorable position means that the spine is frozen at the baseline position or 0% flexion. In extreme cases, spinal stenosis can cause incontinence or constipation if the compressed nerve controls the muscles surrounding the bladder or bowel, respectively. A very common impairment caused by this nerve compression is sciatica. Extraschedular VA Disability Ratings 20 percent disability rating: $327.99 per month. I served during peace timein theArmy. 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. As of December 1st, 2022 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. 20% Spinal Stenosis VA Rating For example, if your VA disability rating for spinal stenosis is based on total ROM but ignores a flexion ROM that would result in a higher VA disability rating, it can be challenged by pointing out the mistake and asking for a review at the same level or by a higher-level authority. This can severely affect your movement and eventually takes a toll on your ability to move. You can get disability benefits for your illness or condition if you have a disability rating of 10% or more and you have one of these presumptive diseases: 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. you viewed to avoid repetition. If severe enough, anxiety and depression arising from a service-related condition may also qualify for an additional disability rating. Under the VAs rules, you can challenge a VA disability rating by asserting that the VA misapplied its schedule. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. Thus, when a bulging or herniated disc in the cervical spine region causes six weeks of incapacitating episodes per year, you would be eligible for a 60% VA disability rating for neck pain. Case Info Step 2. They fought hard for me and got me more than I ever could dream of. Mayo Clinic notes that there are two different types of spinal stenosis: While occasionally a person suffering from spinal stenosis will show zero symptoms, often Veterans seeking VA disability compensation for spinal stenosis will display one or more of the following symptoms: Cervical Stenosis Symptoms Numbness or tingling in your arm or leg, weakness in your arm or leg, problems walking, neck pain, and bowel/bladder dysfunction. Does Spinal Stenosis Qualify for Disability Benefits? Do you have a low back (lumbar) injury related to your military service? Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. There are two types of arthritis that are rated under the same rating system; degenerative arthritis, and traumatic arthritis. To continue receiving VA disability benefits, you should be compliant with these exams. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. People with spinal conditions also often change how they walk to compensate for the pain which can lead to knee and hip problems. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the stenosis and which nerves are affected. Under the VA regulations, you may request an extra-schedular rating for your disability. 100% VA disability rating for spinal cancer. This means that the effects of spinal stenosis are not limited to the back. we represent clients nationwide. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. If the entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position, the disability rating may be as high as 100%. Another way to connect your disability to your service is to show that you had been diagnosed with spinal stenosis prior to your service, and the condition worsened during your service. Vertebral fractures and dislocations (diagnostic code 5235). It can cause muscle weakness and pain or cramping extending from the buttocks down through the leg. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Their testimony can mean the difference between an approval or a denial of your case. 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 To qualify for a 50 percent rating, a veteran would need to have "unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine." How to Appeal a Denied Veterans Disability Claim Disability benefits are paid for service-connected disabilities. However, it can also be caused by herniated discs, thickened ligaments in your spine, tumors, and spinal injuries.