But it can also be a result of a spinal injury. All Rights Reserved. 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. Where the disability at issue is lower extremity radiculopathy associated with SC thoracolumbar disability, follow the guidance in M21-1, . Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Medical images like x-rays can also be useful. Back problems themselves cause enough issues with daily and functional living, however as many veterans have discovered, back conditions also commonly lead to a slew of secondary medical conditions or complications. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? Additionally, a secondary disability claim can increase your benefits if a new condition arises from your current service-connected disability. [Updated 2020 Mar 25]. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim cause pain and numbness that wraps around to the front of your body. Symptoms of radiculopathy vary by location but frequently include pain, weakness, numbness and tingling. Can VA Secondary Conditions Be Service Connected? The lumbar spine has more range of motion than the thoracic >> 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). nerve, whether due to varied level of the nerve lesion or to partial The typical symptoms of a radicular condition depend on the location of the affected nerves. 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). The THIRD part, and often the missing link needed to establish secondary service connection, can be satisfied with a credible Medical Nexus Letter (Independent Medical Opinion) from a qualified medical provider. Each of these is a secondary VA claim. If your disability condition meets certain criteria (set forth by Congress), then your disability condition will be presumed to have been caused by service. does. Today,Brian Reesethe VA Claims Insider reveals and explains the 72 Best Federal Veteran Benefits from A to Z. Veterans may also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to loss of use of a hand or foot. Radiculopathy is typically caused by changes in the tissues surrounding the nerve roots. Vets who receive a mailed notice should attend the exam to avoid a claim being denied. A higher rating than those currently assigned is only 5110(g) and . Many Your spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae, and These secondary conditions can be claimed for additional benefits if the veteran is able to prove that they resulted from the primary condition. lead to narrowing of the space around the nerve roots and subsequent nerve Lumbar radiculopathy is a common condition among veterans. The sciatic nerve is rated under diagnostic codes 8520, 8620, and 8720. you viewed to avoid repetition. An increased rating percentage will make that out of pocket cost worth it. The AMA has been the VAs appeal system since 2019. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Updated: April 23, 2020. While we still have our home base in Florida, Radiculopathy is commonly rated as a secondary VA disability Amy Mallette, Claims Advocate Updated: June 21, 2020. [2] Myelopathy. Myelopathy | Johns Hopkins Medicine,www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/myelopathy. You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Complete; all shoulder and elbow movements lost or severely affected, hand and wrist movements not affected, Complete; inability to raise arm above shoulder level, winged scapula deformity. In myelopathy, the pressure is placed on the spine itself, as compared to radiculopathy which places pressure on the nerve roots. If you have lower back problems and radiculopathy in your lower limbs, that's also all one issue for the VA. However, complete paralysis of the affected area can yield a 70% rating. In 2022, VA ratings for Radiculopathy typically range from 0% to 70%, depending upon the severity of your symptoms. back of the vertebrae. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 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 VA can order a clarification from the examiner, or even order a new exam with a different examiner. Remember, radiculopathy is probably going to be a secondary VA claim. Myelopathy is often accompanied by radiculopathy, but is a separate condition. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. 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. Often we have clients with 20% ratings for back disabilities who could qualify for higher ratings for their serious impairments. It is circular in shape with a blunt peg-like structure You earned your benefits, but you still have to fight to claim them. 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). Perhaps you had no secondary conditions when you first filed your claim, but a condition showed up later. This is in part due to the strenuous nature of training and daily duties while in active duty, but also due to greater propensity for misuse, accidents, and danger in the military service versus civilian life. For veterans looking to increase their VA rating for a radiculopathy condition, knowledge is key. Pro Tip: While you are not required to provide a Nexus to establish presumptive service connection, its highly recommended that you at least write a personal statement as to WHY you think your disability meets the legal requirements for presumptive service connection. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Furthermore, a veteran may receive separate VA ratings of required to warrant a VA disability rating for Radiculopathy. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! This condition is commonly caused byback conditionssuch as herniated discs, stenosis, and bone spurs. However, its also possible that you dont experience any symptoms, or you go through periodic flare-ups of symptoms. He can now file a claim with VA for secondary service connection for his radiculopathy since it was caused by his degenerative disc disease. Another possible cause of radiculopathy that may lead to 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. The pinched nerve can cause pain and discomfort for veterans who experience it, and the pain is often experienced as numbness, tingling, or weakness. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. abbreviated C1 through C7 (top to bottom). In the beginning stages of urinary frequency, you may not notice anything out of the ordinary. Radiculopathy is commonly known as a pinched nerve. the lower back area is your lumbar spine. The different nerves in your back are grouped together and carry different VA rating schedules. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Beneath the last cervical vertebra are the 12 vertebrae of Most commonly, the nerve compression is related to a disc herniation or spondylosis (degenerative changes in the spine) and may occur with or without trauma. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. disabling on the major side and 30 percent disabling on the minor side. Pro Tip: A medical nexus letter is highly recommended to help you prove secondary service connection under the law. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Same for the cervical radiculopathy too, but radiculopathy and neck problems are specifically rated as the same issue in the VA, despite fitting into the Secondary SC rules as well. Patients also may experience numbness, weakness, or loss of reflexes in the legs. Radiculopathy can have many different signs and symptoms as The rule authorizing VA to establish the five secondary TBI-related conditions in 38 CFR 3.310 is effective, January 16, 2014. . Moderate incomplete paralysis is rated as 40 percent That said, veterans need to claim their back injury in a highly specific way. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Radiculopathy is a medical condition in which the nerves are compressed or irritated in the lower back[1]. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? The sacrum fits between the two hipbones connecting the In my experience, this type of service connection is uncommon. Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams for Radiculopathy, Evidence for Radiculopathy Claims and Appealing under the AMA system. >> Click When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. The moderate nerve rating changes based on the specific nerve. Later, this became a secondary VA claim. A showing of causation requires that the secondary VA disability claim is "proximately due to" or "aggravated by" another service-connected disability. extremity. There are some good news however because veterans may be eligible to receive disability compensation for conditions the VA recognizes as a secondary due to your service-connected back condition. HERE to Read About VA Disability Ratings for Sciatica <<. We discuss how chronic pain affects mental healthin a different blog. If a nerve condition affects both sides of the body (such as both arms or legs), VA should issue a rating for each side and an additional bilateral factor. The degree of severity, represented by a percentage, corresponds to the monthly compensation a vet receives. However, I began to realize the strangest thing: my left hand was numb! We advocate for the disabled. Underfederal law, a preexisting condition is presumed aggravated if that condition: A veteran need not show that a certain incident during service aggravated the disabilityonly that it became worse during service. In addition, Back Pain is a common secondary VA disability claim, especially Radiculopathy secondary to back . For example, the following codes from 38 CFR, Part 4, Service Connection by Aggravation: What If You Were Diagnosed With Radiculopathy Before Service? pursuant to 38 C.F.R. Contactour office for a free case evaluation today at800-544-9144. When a nerve root is compressed, it becomes inflamed. 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. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. This problem is most likely to occur in your lower back, but paralysis under Diagnostic Code 8510. 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8620. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Increasingly, the examiners useDisability Benefits Questionnaires, which independent medical experts can also fill out. Radiculopathy is commonly known as a pinched nerve. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 or paralysis of the upper radicular group (fifth and sixth cervicals). (Of course, I would first see if the VA or your private health insurance is willing to pay for it). sacrum. For example, someone with radiculopathy may also develop arthritis or degenerative disc disease. Pro Tip: A Nexus Letter is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to help establish secondary service connection. If these conditions are directly linked to a combat-related disability, they would also be considered combat-related. . VA disability ratings for Radiculopathy range from 0% to 90% and depend upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms, meaning the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating for Radiculopathy. remaining function of the hand or foot, whether the acts of grasping, Lumbar myelopathy is rare but is worth mentioning due to the severity of the condition. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. A doctors physical exam and electromyogram (EMG) that confirms a radicular condition serve as bases for ratings. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Thoracic Radiculopathy percent disabling. ? WE CAN HELP! This will effectively increase your VA disability rating. Thickening (ossification) of the spinal ligaments may also Because Medical Nexus Evidence is needed to satisfy the third evidentiary element that must be satisfied to prove your secondary VA claim on an at least as likely as not basis. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 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. After you have filed your claim for VA disability benefits and the VA adjudicators have decoded that your disability is service connected, the, For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. This. Need a Nexus Letter to Help Establish Secondary Service Connection? If radiculopathy is caused by a low back condition, the individuals will feel the symptoms in the lower extremities (thigh, calf, foot). resulting symptoms lead to a painful condition called Radiculopathy. How to Get VA Disability for Radiculopathy. The bilateral factor refers to when a veteran has a disability that affects both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. infections and various cancerous and noncancerous growths in the spine that may Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. degenerative conditions. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Secondary conditions are those that develop as a result of the primary condition. Veterans must prove secondary service connection if their first service-connected condition causes a different disability or makes an existing disability worse. Note:Combined nerve injuries should be rated by reference to the major involvement, or if sufficient in extent, consider radicular group ratings. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. When assigning a rating for radiculopathy, the VA will take into account which nerve is affected, as well as whether the radiculopathy affects the dominant hand or leg and the severity of the symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, sensory changes, and functional impact. Radiculopathy is unique. 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. In other words- I am almost doubling my RATING with secondary claims. However, it is important to note that your mental health can also be adversely affected. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 The Radiculopathy VA rating criteria also depends upon Paralysis, Neuritis, or Neuralgia, as well as the location/region, which are broken down in detail below. If you experienced radiculopathy during military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits for your disability. Its where youll learn how to develop and file a winning VA Claim the right way from the start. percent disabling for both the major and minor side. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 Different groups will have different diagnostic codes. The rating is 0% for mild symptoms and up to 20% for severe symptoms. 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. C2 is Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 The sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body, known Under that code, mild incomplete paralysis is rated 20 When these nerve roots become pinched or damaged, the The Lumbar Spine has 5 vertebrae abbreviated L1 through L5 In addition to secondary service connection, veterans may also be able to seek service connection through aggravation. 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. There is a Today Im talking about my va claim and how to connect sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The upper and middle radicular group is rated under veterans suffer from various back conditions that may or may not be service Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 thoracic spines range of motion and protect many vital organs. The VA may award service-connected disability benefits for conditions that arose before the time of active duty but worsened during it. 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. To discuss your own case, contact us for aninitial case evaluationat no charge to you. Secondary Service Connection and related conditions that can be secondary VA claims are the primary focus of this eBook! ClickHEREto Join the #1 Rated VA Claims Insider Elite Program and Start Today for FREE. called the Axis. Are You Stuck, Frustrated, and Underrated? It can affect the cervical spine (upper back/neck area), thoracic spine (mid-back), and lumbar spine (low back). Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Common side effects of myelopathy include radiculopathy (sharp-shooting pain or radiation), loss of urinary or bowel control, and increased reflexes in the arms or lower extremities (depending on which form of myelopathy you have). Thoracic radiculopathy refers to a compressed nerve root in Five bones (abbreviated S1 through S5) fused into a 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. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. Youve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Thorough note-taking after the exam can be helpful if the vets representative needs to persuade the VA to overturn a problematic decision on the C&P exam. In: StatPearls [Internet]. 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. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) regulates appeals for denials. Although this list is not exhaustive, we tried to stick with the most common VA secondary conditions for secondary service connection. It's imperative to understand frequency . The narrowing of foramina is known as foraminal stenosis, which is very similar tospinal stenosisthat affects the spinal cord. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Many back and neck issues are rated under these generic terms. lumbar radiculopathy, also referred to as sciatica because nerve roots that Firstly, you need to explore your current disabilities and research if there are any common secondary claims waiting there for you to connect. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. Here, we discuss the process of proving service connection and obtaining a VA disability rating for radiculopathy. disabling. 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. However, it can be rated at 30% in extreme situations. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! If the veterans doctor has provided a favorable opinion on the claim, the vet can submit this supportive evidence in the C&P exam. Given that radiculopathy is commonly caused by back conditions, it is typically service-connected on a secondary basis. Contact Us The most commonly affected nerve for this type is the sciatic nerve, which is broken up into five separate nerves depending on which part of the leg is impacted. These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. Can My Disability Rating Be Reduced By The VA? Radiculopathy Bulging disc Scoliosis Spinal stenosis Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety And more. However, radiculopathy takes me to a combined 70%. As a result, painful calluses may develop on the foot. Generally, VA measures severity by first determining if the veteran suffers from: However, symptoms often overlap, and evaluations of paralysis, neuritis, and neuralgia can be confusing and inconsistent. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. The neck region of the spine is known as the Cervical Spine. AtVA Claims Insider, we help fellow Veterans celebrateLIFE CHANGEby getting them the VA disability rating and compensationYOU DESERVEby law. Firstly, you need to be rated for either a back or neck issue before you start filing radiculopathy claims. for the mild, or at most, the moderate degree. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Urinary dysfunctions are issues that often fly under the radar in veterans. The VA Rating Decision will indicate if a condition is related to another service-connected disability, such as Peripheral Neuropathy of the Lower Extremity secondary to Diabetes Mellitus. which can affect your upper back, middle back, and/or lower back. The ratings for the peripheral nerves are for unilateral Maybe it was a training incident, car accident, combat deployment, stress from the job, or other in-service incident, injury, event, or disease that directly caused or made your current disability condition worse. You can open a new VA claim on the VA.gov website, and file a claim for Migraines Secondary to Tinnitus, and get service connected and rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50% for your Migraine (Headaches), depending on the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of your symptoms as well as how your symptoms negatively affect your work, life, and/or social functioning. Perhaps you already had a health condition when entering the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and it was aggravated during your active duty service. The Atlas is ring-shaped, and it supports the skull. The lower back is the area most frequently affected by Hill & Ponton P.A. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.