Once the history of your sciatica has been If you are a veteran suffering from daily back pain, make sure you apply for all of the VA disabilities you are entitled to. Make sure you work with an expert when you file your claim with the VA so you dont miss anything like that. However, in rare circumstances, veterans can experience bilateral sciatica. The location of your symptoms, the Remember if you ever fell, what your daily activities included, and how those activities could hurt your back. In fact, over two million veterans suffer from nerve damage. The location of your symptoms, the movements that heighten the pain, and the actions that provide you with relief are all factors that are important in your diagnosis. Such veterans that suffer from sciatica may be eligible forVA disability benefitsif they can prove that their issue is a result of their time spent in the service. This includes both medical evidence and lay evidence. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Lumbar is the region of your lower back all the way down to your tailbone. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. The nice thing about this is that while you only have one back, you can get multiple ratings for a left leg and a right leg which can then be combined into a greater rating. It causes symptoms that spread out from the back down 1 or both legs. The VA commonly requires C&P exams to rate disability and determine the connection to service. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. Nerve issues are rated by VA under three separate categories that are based on symptom severity. If you have been honorably discharged and have joint or back pain, you can probably get the minimum 10% rating for a disability. If the condition is moderate, These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Each of these severities has their own diagnostic code and separate assigned percent ratings under 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings - neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. Examples of in-service incidents may include breaking or dislocating a vertebra or suffering physical back strain while training, operating a weapon, lifting equipment, jumping, or completing other military exercises. But, if your limited motion is the result of something else, then you can be ranked for both your sciatica and your limited motion. 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. Movement can be restricted not only because of pain in your neck but moving a certain way can make you lose feeling in your hands. for military veterans and when they are severe, they can make life nearly To qualify for the next level up, you need to meet all the criteria of one category. They are very knowledgeable. Radiculopathy is a common service-connected disability caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? This is the least common type. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. cannot be lifted by the muscles in the legs), all the muscles in the leg below Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. They include, but are not limited to: When a person is suffering from sciatica, they may also find that they experience: As mentioned, such symptoms usually affect one side of the body. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. To understand which of the three classifications your sciatica falls under, look to the sciatic nerve itself. While lower back pain is often treatable, it can lead to chronic pain and disability if left untreated. Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spinal column is pinched and becomes inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Each of these ratings of conditions has sub-categories which are mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. The pinched nerve can cause pain and discomfort for veterans who experience it, and the pain is often experienced as numbness, tingling, or weakness. Since your brain and spinal cord connect to your entire body through your nerves, any part of your body can have pain or go numb when a nerve in your back is pinched. I suffer from many health issues due to the trauma that happened to me in 1980. If two exams record the diagnosis differently, then the exam with the most exhaustive data and performed by the most qualified professional in that sector will be the exam the rating is based on. What is the VA disability rating for Sciatica? Diagnostic Code 8713 Neuralgia. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. A doctors physical exam and electromyogram (EMG) that confirms a radicular condition serve as bases for ratings. Veterans may experience a number of debilitating nerve conditions; however, three of the most common include peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and sciatica. If you experience any pain in the movement, or if those moves cause your arms or hands to go numb or burn, tell the doctor. If you just drop the remote control sometimes but otherwise youre fine, youll be closer to barely getting the 20% rating. level of pain either when they are sitting or standing, Sometime when one has If you have a service-related back condition, your sciatica is likely connected to this, as sciatica is usually caused by other back issues. Higher ratings are reserved for more severe cases. The AMA has been the VAs appeal system since 2019. There are several common symptoms of sciatica. Technically, the term sciatica usually refers to neuralgia (i.e., sharp pain due to an irritated or damaged nerve) of the sciatic nerve. factors that will be considered. Learn how VA rates Veterans' nerve conditions and nerve damage (such as peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, radiculopathy, retinopathy) for disability benefits,. rated 60%. Why would you ever want to be denied for radiculopathy? Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gulf War Syndrome all have the capability of a higher rating. Lumbar Radiculopathy. The moderate nerve rating changes based on the specific nerve. Even if you already have achieved the service connection or the 10% rating for back pain, you can still get help from us to increase your rating or double-check your effective date. VA rates sciatica under 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings - neurological conditions and convulsive disorders, as follows: Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve - Diagnostic Code 8520 80% - complete paralysis in which all the muscles of the leg below the knee fail to work, causing serious difficulty in bending the knee While the injury is in the back joints, the symptoms show up in your hands and feet. 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. Types of Radiculopathy. also known as sciatica, is not exclusive to one type of injury or condition. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body. Then, file a disability claim for your medical issues. You're not alone. The VA should give you the one that has the highest rating, if they only give you one. Often we have clients with 20% ratings for back disabilities who could qualify for higher ratings for their serious impairments. Common examples of back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations. Sciatica can affect both sides of the body. They are also more likely to be ruled Permanent and Total, which means you dont have to go back and re-apply and risk losing your benefits every 5-10 years. complete medical examination by a primary care doctor. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Therefore, a service connection for back trouble is not unusual. 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. If it causes moderately severe symptoms, it is rated 40%. Veterans dont necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. Radiculopathy is a great example of secondary service connection. to paralysis, which is why it is important to file a VA claim for it if you are These are bones that stack to form the spine. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Please complete this form to send us your message. You can look at all of these ratings in more detail by diagnostic code on 38 CFR 4.124a Schedule of ratings neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. For direct service connection, you should prove the three elements: A current, diagnosed sciatica condition An in-service situation or event that may have caused or contributed to your problem Specifically, the veteran's radiculopathy affects the veteran's sciatic nerve. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. For example, a veteran is service-connected for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. Radiculopathy causes different types of pain, but Veterans usually experience pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. You also bend backward just a little bit, but not much. 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. neuritis. However, its important to note that if a mental disorder or another condition is present thats additional to the sciatica condition (and not caused by it), then that problem can also be rated. The disability rating for radiculopathy can range from 10% for minor radiculopathy affecting the hand to 90% for major paralysis affecting all three radicular groups (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar). So, start at the bottom and work your way up. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! 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. If youre not sure if you qualify, were here to help. When sciatica is serious and severe, it can make life extremely difficult and uncomfortable. A herniated disc in this region can cause pain that radiates down one or both arms. The bilateral factor recognizes the limitations caused by these disabilities and how they can impact the veteran. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The general minimum for undiagnosed back pain veterans disability benefits is 10%. According to the Mayo Clinic, Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This is the biggest nerve in the human body, and it extends from the lower back right through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. How to Get VA Disability for Radiculopathy. These are paralysis, neuritis, and neuralgia. In your physical exam, a health professional will look at your spinal range of motion, your balance, and posture. When it comes to requesting benefits from the VA, sciatic nerve conditions such as sciatica are ranked in three different categories established on the degree of severity of symptoms. Since you are agitating the vertebrae in the middle of your back, this can get you when you are standing or sitting. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. Learn how VA rates Veterans' nerve conditions and nerve damage (such as peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, radiculopathy, retinopathy) for disability benefits,. 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. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. causes moderate symptoms, it is rated 20%. Sciatica is not a direct diagnosis of the problem. This results in inflammation, pain, and usually some numbness in the affected leg. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? If this is the case, a rating of 80 These cookies do not store any personal information. The primary cause of sciatica (present in about 90 percent of cases) is spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. See the above sectionSecondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. How to Make the Most of Your 0% Benefits If you've gone through the VA claims process and received a 0 percent VA disability rating, you may be disappointed by the outcome. Usually, radiculopathy does not require any major surgery. To be eligible for VA disability benefits for sciatica, you must first prove that your condition is the result of your time in the military service. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. 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. VA then assigns a rating based on the levels of functioning and severity, and the affected nerve group. To understand the causes of your sciatica, the first stage of the examination will involve you giving a complete history of your pain and symptoms relating to the issue. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, They experience the most Back injuries and various musculoskeletal Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Sciatica is not an actual diagnosis of a 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. We stay with you every step of the way during your application or appeal process. 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. Radiculopathy is a "pinched nerve." Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. Let us know. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve may lead to a 60 percent disability rating. This is the rarest form which means it is also the least diagnosed. 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. is. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. The coccyx is your tailbone and its at the very bottom. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Whether you are filing a new claim or dealing with a denied claim, the highly experienced staff at Hill and Ponton is here to advise, support, and represent you. 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. Doctors look at your back in three sections. Symptoms of moderately severe, moderate, and mild sciatic neuritis can be given a range of ratings including 40, 20, and 10 percent. While not all of these are exclusive back pains, they can all point to conditions in the spine that would warrant a higher VA rating. Updated: April 23, 2020. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You might be able to pay for some heating pads or some visits to the chiropractor/spa with that. Back injuries and musculoskeletal injuries can result in sciatica, which is quite common for military veterans. Am I eligible for VA benefits due to Radiculopathy? than moderate, even if it is considered severe. If your Sciatic nerve causes your foot to drop and impairs your walking and you cant lift your knee, you might get up to an 80% rating. It often shows up in your knees or feet. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. If they can hear your bones rubbing together, joints popping, or your back cracking when you move it, make sure they record it in their report. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Every case is different, but let us take a free look at your claim before you send it in, or even before you start the application process. The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is all based on how your shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands can move. Also, have your boss (or especially your ex-boss if you got fired!) A medical record can show a doctors diagnosis of radiculopathy or another service-connected condition. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. Secondary service connectionis when a veterans service-connected condition causes or aggravates a non-service-connected condition, andVAthen grants service connection for the secondary condition. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on October 10, 2019 by Neil Woods Last Updated on December 30, 2022. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 If there is a big bad disability that will get you more money per month, youd want that instead. tingling or pain that interferes with your back or how your legs operate, your When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. These diagnosed and service-connected disabilities can get you a higher rating. This makes it difficult to bend the knee and could lead to an 80 percent disability rating. VA outlines TDIU regulations under 38 CFR 4.16. Radiculopathy is classified as a pain syndrome and can be caused by several lower back conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. If you need helpclaiming benefitsfor sciatic nerve issues, you believe you received an unfairly low rating, or your claim was denied, were here to help. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations, talk to our staff to write up a lay statement, Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Neurological issues VA disability articles, I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm, Pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower back, The highest level of pain when theyre sitting or standing, Difficulty standing up for long periods or walking for a long time, A worsened pain after sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing, An in-service situation or event that may have caused or contributed to your problem, A medical opinion linking the in-service situation or event to your sciatica condition (. 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. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. difficult for one to stand up for extended periods or for one to walk for long, Pain from Sciatica can Thoracic radiculopathy is going to be a lot scarier but wont affect you in the same way. As discussed above, the VA typically assigns a Veterans Disability rating of between 10 and 20% for degenerative disc disease. Often, Veterans' radiculopathy is a secondary. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. Fill out the short form below to contact us. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? Sciatica can be incredibly difficult to live with and in severe cases can cause difficulty in walking and paralysis. currently suffering from the condition. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? If a nerve condition affects both sides of the body (such as both pairs of arms or legs), the VA should issue a rating foreach side and anadditionalbilateral factor. Neck pain is a cervical spine problem. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. It may have more than one single cause. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about VA benefits for back pain. That numbness or pain from a pinched nerve in your spinal column is called radiculopathy. VA does have some criteria in its Adjudication Procedures Manual, or the M21. Diagnostic code 8510 puts the ratings into these four categories: These same ratings match most of the ratings of Thoracic and Lumbar Radiculopathy as well. When radiculopathy occurs in the lower back, it is known as lumbar radiculopathy, also referred to as sciatica because nerve roots that make up the sciatic nerve are often involved. Since your back is a long line of joints, it can happen in any part of your back too. Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve is pinched or pushed on from a disc. The symptom is likely caused by a lumbar or sacral radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease. The nerve is occasionally or consistently painful and it can include a tingling or numbness. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Ensure that this occurs properly to make sure you receive a genuine rating. first stage will involve getting a complete history of your pain, as well as How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? Wondering about the 8-step VA claim process? All clinician . Measures of your extension, lateral flexion, and rotation all combine to measure your cervical flexion. He or she is going to write down the angle of your flexion. Click HERE to read now. Thoracic Radiculopathy Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams for Radiculopathy, Evidence for Radiculopathy Claims and Appealing under the AMA system. This damage can occur due to an accident, disease, or overuse. That is only the average, but even if you start applying with a 10% now, youll be in great shape to increase your rating to 60% later. 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. 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. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. But for others, compression of the sciatic nerve causes lumbar radiculopathy weakness and loss of feeling in the legs. The upper radicular group is rated under diagnostic codes 8510, 8610, and 8710. The reflexes in your knees, as well as 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. What Is the VADisability Rating for Radiculopathy? also be made much worse after sneezing or when one makes unexpected movements spinal nerve causes pain to develop on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. Code 8720: Sciatica occurs when the pressure on the spinal nerve results in pain developing on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. You bend side to side and then rotate at the hips for the final measurements. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? The symptoms and location can vary, and the particular area and nerve affected can impact a veterans VA disability rating for radiculopathy. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. your symptoms. If your mom remembers a before and after, have her talk to our staff to write up a lay statement to back your case. The degree of severity, represented by a percentage, corresponds to the monthly compensation a vet receives. Popular Articles 2023 Military Discounts Offered by Stores, Services and Online Sites Veterans with severe sciatica may require the assistance of canes, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices to walk. This is often the result of a herniated disk in the spine or an overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in 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. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 The VA doesn't have a diagnostic code for peripheral neuropathy, so the VA rates the condition based on the nerve(s) involved. While one veteran may have specific symptoms, and the Regional Office finds that they have moderate sciatica, another veteran could have those very same symptoms and be judged as having mild sciatica. Also, explain what you cant do because of that numbness. This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. To be eligible for VA disability benefits for sciatica, you must first prove that your condition is the result of your time in the military service. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. The bilateral factor refers to when a veteran has a disability that affects both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. 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. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] VA disability ratings for back pain go from 10% to 100% depending on how severe your symptoms are, including your range of motion and pain frequency and level. Remember, a single condition can only be ranked once. problem, but rather, an accurate way of describing the location of the pain. For radiculopathy specifically, youll be rated on neurological symptoms. This could help you gain a higher rating. After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. While we still have our home base in Florida, As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it.