As with most back disabilities, the VA puts a lot on the level of flexion you have. VA disability ratings for spinal fusion determine the degree of spine movement possible without intolerable pain. Whiplash Whiplash happens when the neck experiences a forceful back and forth motion that causes lasting pain. VA Disability Claims (General) > Cervical Fusion. Additionally, they must keep you from working for at least 12 months. If yes, document the Veterans description of the flare-ups he/she experiences, including the frequency, duration, characteristics, precipitating and alleviating factors, severity, and/or extent of functional impairment he/she experiences during a flare-up of symptoms. This injury can even require surgery to relieve the pain. 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. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. 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. The main determining factor is how much of a Range Of Motion (ROM) you have. To receive a 100% rating, youll need to prove that your condition is completely disabling and that you cannot work or earn a living in any capacity. United States. Recovery time from either a surgery or the immobilization of a joint by a cast without surgery requires a temporary 100% disability rating for a service-connected disability. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! 1115) Expand Table Amputations: Upper Extremity 1 Entitled to special monthly compensation. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Fused pieces or loose pieces of bone in your back can all affect your ability to twist around. #4. Some veterans are bent over sideways but can still walk around with a cane. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Already working with us? Combined thoracolumbar less than 120 or cervical combined less than 170 or muscle spasms or guarding enough to cause abnormal gait or an abnormal contour of your spine. Once they have your records, a doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms. Its usually performed when other treatment options, like medication and physical therapy, have failed to provide relief. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Although this benefits some veterans, it also increases the amount of evidence required to link the pain to the in-service event. What are the initial ROM measurements? If your back does this when you move, your back is guarding. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! #6. HIRE THEM! How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! There are several different kinds of back disabilities that can earn a VA disability rating. To receive the highest possible disability rating, you must provide the proper evidence to support your claim. The combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or. You're not alone. Does procured evidence (statements from the veteran) suggest pain, fatigability, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination which significantly limits functional ability with repeated use over time? Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. 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. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! #Evidence #VAClaims #VAAppeals #Tips #VADisability #Veterans #VARating #vadecision #VAClaim. Neck pain can also be caused by pinching from disc compression or the growth of osteophytes. 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. Yes! 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. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. Secondary conditions such as an altered gait, trouble eating, or difficulty swallowing can also contribute to a higher VA disability rating. Those symptoms can also point to diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, or arthritis, so youll need some X-Rays and CT scans on your back to see what is going on in there. 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. For example, the following Diagnostic Codes (DC) from 38 CFR, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities apply: These six neck and back conditions can often lead to pinched or damaged nerve roots, which can cause significant pain known as Radiculopathy. Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). Neck pain refers to the top seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. That means everything from the middle of your backpack and bra strap down. 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. #12. 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. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Unlike other disabilities recognized by VA, service connection for neck pain does not necessarily require a current diagnosis. Finally, you will need an independent medical opinion from your surgeon attesting that your current condition is directly related to the original injury or condition that led to your need for spinal fusion surgery. Dealing with back and spine ailments are hugely detrimental to ones quality of life, and spinal fusion could be a potential solution to some of those symptoms. 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. If the veteran uses any assistive devices, specify the condition, indicate the side, and identify the assistive device used for each condition. Please complete this form to send us your message. They must cause problems doing normal activities. Asthma secondary to Nasal polyps. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The favorable or unfavorable part refers to what position you are stuck in. You might wonder whether or not a veteran can get increased disability benefits from the VA due to spinal fusion surgery. Some examples of cervical conditions that are rated under this code include the following: Diagnostic Code 5237 Cervical Strain A torn tendon or muscle in the neck. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The Relationship Between Spinal Fusion and Veterans, How Spinal Fusion Can Increase Your VA Disability Benefits, Conditions That Qualify for VA Disability Benefits, Qualifying for a Spinal Fusion VA Disability Rating, How the VA Determines Disability Rating for Spinal Fusion Surgery. Veterans must prove secondary service connection if their first service-connected condition causes a different disability or makes an existing disability worse. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. Several disabling back conditions can qualify a veteran for VA disability benefits. It can include your diagnosis, independent medical opinion, medical records, and written statements from friends or family members. 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. Veterans nowadays may have to sit for multiple hours a day. Its crucial to note any discomfort or pain in the area that may have existed before your enrollment because your service may have significantly worsened or reinjured a prior injury. This is a common side effect of severe arthritis in the spine. This is Favorable or Unfavorable Ankylosis. They keep you informed. This occurs when a veteran is unable to perform with the same strength and endurance as before the condition. Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. Asthma secondary to Anxiety. Its important to ensure that your ratings are accurate, especially if they worsen, as an increase as small as 10% is the difference between thousands of dollars a year. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. The combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. You might be able to lean right and left 30 just fine. Spinal fusion can happen naturally or surgically. A 10% disability rating for spinal fusion is granted when forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine is greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not This Firm is So Good at what they do! When determining your rating, the VA will consider your entire medical history, not just your spinal fusion surgery. Muscle guarding gone wrong can cause a number of disorders in your back. When the doctor measures your flexion, he or she is going to measure your angle of movement before you experience pain. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Veterans are not awarded compensation for neck issues that were present at one time but have since healed or gone away. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Just like driving a truck with bad shocks, that bumpy ride on your back wears out the equipment really quick. Remember, if you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us for support. Cervical spine forward flexion of 15 or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. The reality of that math (thank goodness it isnt VA Math!) How do I increase my rating percentages? How Do I Increase My VA Rating for Neck Pain? This can all be amplified by long caravans on bumpy roads, carrying 100 pounds of the worlds lightest equipment every day. Asthma secondary to Allergies. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Rather, they are added using VA math. #3. We have recovered entitlements for clients after the VA made a wrong decision decades ago! How to Apply for Benefits After a Spinal Fusion. VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain Explained, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease, pick-up the phone and call the VA health facility nearest you, CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim. Its no secret that many veterans suffer back pain from spinal injuries. That extra wear and tear on your other discs will make them deteriorate faster and require more future care. Combat and deployment do not factor into this decision, so even car wrecks that happen on leave are considered viable. Similar to VA compensation for most other conditions, service connection requires three separate pieces of evidence. A favorable C&P decision will support a service connection for your disability, while an unfavorable decision will negatively affect your chances of proving a service connection. It can also be difficult if there is no record of the injury you received. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine area. Click HERE for the C&P Examiners Guide to Spine Examinations. The courts further likened the reasonable doubt rule as akin to the principle in baseball that the tie goes to the runner.. #14. The VA can give you a rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the thumb and any finger. Can You Get Disability for Degenerative Disc Disease and IVDS? To receive compensation for a neck injury disability, veterans must be able to prove that their neck pain was caused or aggravated by their time in the military. 40. The problem is when this happens just by walking, sitting, or moving around normally. 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 VA rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine is 40%. 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. Does the Veteran report having any functional loss or functional impairment of the joint or extremity being evaluated on this questionnaire, including but not limited to after repeated use over time? Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim If you believe you can make an argument to change VAs mind, it may be worthwhile to pursue a different decision. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 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. However, if you can work or perform some daily activities, the VA will assign a disability rating based on how severely your condition impacts your ability to function, according to the rating criteria. If youre only 45 years old but it feels as though your neck is 80, it may be beneficial to speak with a doctor about applying for a VA disability rating. Your spinal discs are critical to the padding between your vertebrae. Maybe. (cervical) part of the . If youre a veteran who has undergone spinal fusion surgery, you may wonder how the VA will determine your disability rating. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Other back issues are rating according to different criteria. Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, Favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. At VA Claims Insider, we help you understand and take control of the claims process, so you can get the rating and compensation youre owed by law. Herniated disk. The #1 best way to increase your VA disability rating for neck and shoulder pain is to have objective medical evidence (X-Ray or MRI results) to show your symptoms have worsened over time. link) between the current, diagnosed back condition and the in-service event, injury, or illness. Many natural conditions are also accelerated by time spent in the service. #13. This is because the VA will only pay benefits for injuries that occurred during or as a result of military service. Expand Table Amputations: Lower Extremity Some of the common neck injuries which VA will cover include the following: Disc Injuries These are injuries that affect the discs between vertebrae in the spine. . A 10% disability rating for spinal fusion is granted when forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine is greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height. #10. Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) is a disability in which parts of your spine break or move and put your nerves or other parts of your spine in the wrong spot. 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). Hill & Ponton P.A. When in doubt, the benefit is ALWAYS given to the veteran. Yes it is. Have imaging studies of the cervical spine been performed in conjunction with this examination? Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Substantially gainful employment is any non-temporary, non-seasonal job that provides enough money for an individual to live a certain quality of life. 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. For example, if you also have arthritis, the VA might factor that into your rating. You have nothing to risk except knowing that you had professionals working hard on your case. You dont want to miss out on the full benefit that you deserve. Pain in the neckor cervicalgiais recognized by VA as a disability that should be compensated if caused by military service. Both of these conditions can contribute to the accelerated aging of your cervical spine. They can be diagnosed and proven with X-Rays and MRIs long before you show any incapacitating symptoms. Spinal fusion is when two or more vertebrae in the spine are fused together as a surgical technique. 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.