Military members who receive a dishonorable discharge forfeit all military and veterans benefits and may have a difficult time finding work in the civilian sector. Apply heat on your back or leg for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. Social Security will then look at your RFC to determine if your current restrictions eliminate your ability to do all the jobs you've done in the past. In almost all cases, disc herniation surgery is a good choice for people with a high quality-of-life goal. When filling out the ADL questionnaire, avoid making vague statements like "I can't do anything" or "Everything hurts." How the SSA will use your RFC. But the SSA can still find you disabled if you can show that your limitations prevent you from doing any full-time work. Every service member who has a condition that is connected to service is entitled to free VA medical care. The symptoms of sciatica may be short-term or long-term: Pain that goes from the lower back into your buttocks and down the back of your thigh. When the spine becomes bulded, either as a result of natural degeneration or as a result of physical injury, the disc is damaged. After surgery and testing, the PEB/MEB determined that I would be unfit to continue military service. The spine is made of bones stacked on top of each other with a disc of soft tissue in-between each layer. This pain is caused by compression of a nerve in the lower back. A veteran can be rated for sciatica in a variety of ways. He and his wife have a real estate business. The latter is known asspinal stenosis. Isnt that another type of Discharge that an individual can have. Keep in mind that that rating can be increased if there is a herniated disc or a bulging disc that causes a doctor to prescribe bed rest, specifically six weeks or more over a year's time period. The resulting pain, numbness, discomfort, and weakness can provide a basis for obtaining a VA disability rating for a bulging disc. You must have objective findings to support your diagnosis of spinal stenosis or nerve root compression. The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. The VA will consider all relevant evidence in making a determination, including any medical records, testimony from the veteran or witnesses, and any other supporting documentation. Another way to let the SSA know the extent of your pain is by thoroughly completing your activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaire. In your physical exam, a health professional will look at your spinal range of motion, your balance, and posture. A medical nexus, or a link between your service and the injuries, illnesses, or events that occurred during your service, also requires VA approval. The SSA will want to see evidence that your pain is intense enough to require medical attention. Veterans who developed scoliosis during their service may be eligible to receive VA disability benefits for their condition. Most active duty service members receive a military discharge before they leave the service. Sciatica is a nerve condition in which pain radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, traveling from the lower back down through the legs. If you meet the financial eligibility requirements for disability benefits and you've been unable to work full-time for at least one year, the SSA will want to see objective findings, like an MRI, of the underlying disorder causing the sciatica. If any of your buddies are around to remember it or talk about it, get their input too. An other than honorable conditions or OTH discharge is the most severe kind you can get without a court martial. Instead, the board can make independent recommendations to the senior commander for final approval. 2. A partial paralysis has the potential to cause compromised blood flow, limited functional abilities, and muscle wasting. To qualify for Social Security, you must demonstrate that pain has a negative impact on your ability to work. Having your service-connected conditions recognized may also allow you to access additional benefits. Theyll also check the reflexes in your knees, as well as your nerves. Sciatica (sy-AT-ik-uh) is the medical term for pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve in your lower back. This type of military discharge can happen for a variety of reasons (medical, administrative, etc.) So your telling me that an Officer with a drug waiver to get in, Then does drugs and gets kicked out! Social Security maintains a list of impairments that can qualify applicants for disability benefits without having to determine that they can't work ("medically disabled"). Heres a tip: after checking where youd be ranked under sciatica code, check whether you have limited motion of your hip, knee, or ankle. In most cases, the higher the percentage, the more severe the damage is. An inflamed nerve can cause arthritis. Go to physical or occupational therapy as directed. Many disabled veterans are not disabled by societys definition of disability, or by their own definition of disability. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Apr 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 17 Apr 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Apr 2023) and others. This period is three months unless another length (such as six months or one year) is noted in the condition ratings. At VA Claims Insider, we help veterans understand and take control of the claims process, so they can get the rating and compensation theyre owed by law. The problem with sciatica is that it is caused by a symptom of other spinal conditions, not a disease. The above information is an educational aid only. Likewise, a member might not be able to reenlist or enter a different branch of the service. In order to receive a disability rating from the VA, you must first be diagnosed with a deformed disc and then undergo a medical test. The Military Wallet does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Your records show that you never had back pain until you enlisted in the military, and your doctor will write an opinion letter stating that your sciatica at least as likely was caused by your military service, making you eligible for disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This article may contain links from our advertisers. We will need medical records and evidence that sciatica is a permanent condition, so you must demonstrate that it will make it difficult for you to perform tasks that are essential to your job. The pain can vary in intensity. You have pain in your lower back at night or when resting. Some people with sciatica may find that their symptoms improve over time and they are able to live relatively symptom-free lives, while others may find that their symptoms are more chronic and require more ongoing management. The decision to medically discharge a person with scoliosis is made on a case-by-case basis. To receive a general discharge from the military, there has to be some form of nonjudicial punishment to correct unacceptable military behavior or failure to meet military standards. For many people, sciatica is a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as herniations of the disc or spinal stenosis. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. Punitive - This form of discharge is imposed by a court-martial. (Here you can download a free form for your doctor to complete). Ideally, your medical record will contain one or more of the following objective findings: If you don't have any of the above documentation, set up an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The VA offers two disability programs for veterans, which are listed below. For people over the age of 50, the most common complaint is shoulder pain. In an ideal world, employers would only use military information as a reference when screening an applicant. The site is secure. This rating is based on a scale of one to ten, with one being the best and ten being the worst. (Most VA disability claimants fall somewhere in the middle.). Use our VA disability calculator to determine your combined VA rating and monthly payment. How do I prepare for a military medical discharge? If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a partner the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of The Military Wallet. Apply heat to help decrease pain and muscle spasms. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. In general, VA recommends that criteria be developed to determine whether neurological impairment is mild, moderate, or severe in a patient with spine impairment. When sciatica is serious and severe, it can make life extremely difficult and uncomfortable. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Scavolaris is rated in the following ways: 1, 2, 3, or 4. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Remember, sciatica is the pain that an individual receives when the sciatic nerve is irritated. His 18+ years of sales experience and customer service contribute to his success as a veteran coach. It is usually best to keep the line of questioning centered around the job applicants experience and qualifications. This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. Your military service does not always result in the identification of disabilities that the VA provides for. If you are experiencing pain that is not caused by anything, your doctor may recommend physical therapy as a treatment option. This discharge is determined via the 2 medical review boards: Medical Evaluation Board and Physical Evaluation Board . Even if a veteran did not receive an honorable or general discharge, it doesnt necessarily mean they were discharged for bad conduct. Treatments include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections and, in advanced cases, surgery. Veterans may not be eligible for certain veterans benefits under a general discharge, including the GI Bill. 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 you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 0 share; SHARE ON TWITTER; Share on Facebook Sciatica occurs when there is pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It then runs down the back of your thigh, into your lower leg and foot. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Other types of military discharges include officer discharges, entry-level separations and medical discharges. of Veterans Affairs, the Dept. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Disability Compensation may apply to any conditions that occur while the individual is on active duty, so long as the conditions are not the result of the individuals misconduct. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Sciatica occurs when the pressure on the spinal nerve results in pain developing on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. However, in general, the highest VA rating that can be given for sciatica is a 50% disability rating. 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. Ulceration, varices, fistula, achalasia, or other dysmotility disorders; chronic or recurrent esophagitis if. The sciatic nerve, which runs through the back of the thigh, is frequently compressed. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. If you have questions of a specific nature consider consulting a financial professional, accountant or attorney to discuss. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! You may be owed compensation. The discs typically wear down as a result of general wear and tear, or as a result of sudden pressure. of Defense or any governmental entity. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Sciatica is not a direct diagnosis of the problem. A person with scoliosis can be medically discharged from the military if the curvature of the spine is severe enough to cause pain or other health problems. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be granted a military discharge. An estimated 7.8% of Americans will experience PTSD during their lives, with women (10.4%) twice as likely as men (5%) to develop PTSD. This is the 3rd type of administrative discharge and the most undesirable. Symptoms include pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg. When filling out an ADL application, avoid making statements like I cant do anything or everything hurts.. Save big with our most popular military and veteran discounts on travel, retail, cell phones, and more! Depending on your age, education, and skills, you'll also likely have to show that you can't do the easiest, least physically demanding jobs. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors opinions or evaluations. Individual ROM measurements and total ROM measurements are used to calculate a VA disability rating for a bulging disc. A herniated or bulging disc is an injury that impacts your back, specifically your spine. sciatica military discharge. Honorable Discharge If there are two equally strong exams with conflicting data, or if the sciatica issue can be equally rated under two different codes, then the one that offers the highest rating will be used. People who meet the musculoskeletal listings typically need an assistive device, such as crutches or a walker. Time in a military prison usually precedes a BCD. Muscle weakness, difficulty moving or controlling your leg or foot. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second largest federal agency, trailing only the Department of Defense. It has an 80% chance of being incomplete or severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve. He is the founder and main author of brandonorthopedics.com, a website that offers valuable resources, tips, and advice for patients looking to learn more about orthopedic treatments and physiotherapy. Back injuries and musculoskeletal injuries can result in sciatica, which is quite common for military veterans. Veterans who have been injured or sick while serving in the military and who have had an existing condition worsen as a result of their service are eligible for VA disability compensation (pay) monthly tax-free payments. Military records show, however, that Montour served in the United States Air Force from 1999 until he was court-martialed in 2000 for impersonating an officer and making threats. 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.