You may have another disability like diabetes or arthritis instead, so make sure you get a full physical from a doctor. Radiculopathy is a common service-connected disability caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. To discuss your own case, contact us for aninitial case evaluationat no charge to you. determined, a physical exam will them be completed by a state certified If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. 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. Symptoms of moderately severe, moderate, and mild sciatic neuritis can be given a range of ratings including 40, 20, and 10 percent. If you have been honorably discharged and have joint or back pain, you can probably get the minimum 10% rating for a disability. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. However, the criteria listed here can also be subjective. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. They keep you informed. For example, a veteran is service-connected for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The examiners report to the VA Regional Office (RO), where the decision is made. After an exam, vets and witnesses should promptly memorialize their experience, and date their notes. 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. It is intended that the DBQs will be completed by the Veteran's health care provider. However, if your condition is not as Radiculopathy does involve a condition of the spinal nerve, and for a specific rating for anerve condition the determination is based on (a) paralysis, meaning that the nerve has no ability to function; (b) neuritis, meaning that the nerve is irritated, and there is numbness, muscle atrophy, or loss of reflexes; or (c) neuralgia, meaning that the nerve produces intermittent or continual pain, possibly accompanied by numbness and tingling. There are several common symptoms of sciatica. Also, have your boss (or especially your ex-boss if you got fired!) They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] It comes with symptoms like numbness in your hands and feet, a lack of flexibility, and even digestion or bowel issues. your symptoms. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Often we have clients with 20% ratings for back disabilities who could qualify for higher ratings for their serious impairments. This may also apply if you had existing radiculopathy that was made worse during your time in the service. Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. We offer this information to our readers as general information only. When it comes to your exam, the number one thing the doctor will measure for your back pain is your range of motion. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. rated 60%. If your back creaks or pops when you move it, you want the doctor to hear that. Sciatica can be incredibly difficult to live with and in severe cases can cause difficulty in walking and paralysis. Lumbar radiculopathy is irritation or inflammation of a nerve root in the low back. In moderate neuralgia, typical of a radiculopathy diagnosis, a veteran experiences numbness, and tingling, and moderate to severe pain. Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. To succeed with this service-connection claim, a vet 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. But for others, compression of the sciatic nerve causes lumbar radiculopathy weakness and loss of feeling in the legs. Remember, sciatica is the pain that an individual receives when the sciatic nerve is irritated. Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spinal column is pinched and becomes inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Sciatica refers to pain that links to a problem with the sciatic nerve. A doctors physical exam and electromyogram (EMG) that confirms a radicular condition serve as bases for ratings. However, if your sciatica is moderate or In 2019, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report which said that the lack of specifics in the rating criteria is leading to unfair and arbitrary decision-making. It can be hard distinguishing between the three categories and degrees of severity to understand your nerve ratings. 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. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. In this post, we will explore the VA rating for Sciatica as well as how to file a VA claim for Sciatica. TDIU is a more complex process than just one disability most of the time, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Neurological issues VA disability articles, Woods and Woods fought hard for this Army Veteran, All shoulder and elbow movements lost or seriously affected but hand and wrist are normal. The latter is known asspinal stenosis. sciatica, he or she may experience relief when lying down or when walking, Sciatica can also make it This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. we represent clients nationwide. Sciatica usually happens when the sciatic nerve compresses. 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. 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. VA Benefits for Sciatica | Cuddigan Law Come and go or be felt continuously Be less severe in your lower back than in your leg Feel worse after you stand or sit for a long time, as well as when you stand up and twist your body Feel worse after a sudden body movement such as sneezing or coughing Neuralgia cannot be rated higher With the exception of severe incomplete paralysis, there are no specific symptoms listed in the rating criteria that veterans must have to receive a rating of mild, moderate, or moderately severe sciatica. Higher ratings are reserved for more severe cases. See the above sectionSecondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. If they can be shown to warrant separate ratings, then they will be combined together. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Thoracic Radiculopathy Took a whole 10-15 min. Contactour office for a free case evaluation today at800-544-9144. Vets who receive a mailed notice should attend the exam to avoid a claim being denied. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. spinal nerve causes pain to develop on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. So, start at the bottom and work your way up. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? than moderate, even if it is considered severe. VA does have some criteria in its Adjudication Procedures Manual, or the M21. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 Nerve damage can be difficult to deal with and often leads to a decrease in What is the VA disability rating for Sciatica? Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. Thoracic radiculopathy is going to be a lot scarier but wont affect you in the same way. sensation and severe loss of reflexes, your rating will be categorized under problem, but rather, an accurate way of describing the location of the pain. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. Even if you have this, it often takes a long time for the doctors to rule out everything else and give you this diagnosis. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Are you STUCK, FRUSTRATED and UNDERRATED? Secondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. What is the VA disability rating for Sciatica? If you are experiencing any numbness, Not all doctors know how VA disability applications work, so we have doctors on our staff to review your application before it goes to the VA. Our on-staff doctors know what the VA wants when it comes to granting benefits. difficult for one to stand up for extended periods or for one to walk for long, Pain from Sciatica can when the sciatic nerve is irritated. While we still have our home base in Florida, 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. VA outlines TDIU regulations under 38 CFR 4.16. If you are suffering from total paralysis, The Easiest Ratings for Joint/Back Pain are Also the Lowest, Back Conditions that Get a Higher VA Disability Compensation, Pinched Nerves in the Cervical, Thoracic, and Lumbar Regions, The Lower Your Range of Motion the Higher Your Rating, How the VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy Works. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. 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. 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. Additionally, a secondary disability claim can increase your benefits if a new condition arises from your current service-connected disability. Symptoms that are experienced when one is Secondary conditions develop as a result of an underlying condition or injury. Some conditions involve hospitalization or consistent medical care, such as an at-home nurse, for example. Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8520, Neuritis of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8620, Neuralgia of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8720, Issues with the VA Rating System for Sciatica, Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick For Help with Your Sciatica Benefits, Sciatica VA Disability Claims and Ratings, Top 20 VA Disability Claims and Their Ratings, 10 Most Common Disabilities for Veterans and How Theyre Rated. Remember, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, so be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for a medical opinion. 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. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. This Firm is So Good at what they do! Lay evidence can include the veterans own statements, as well as statements from family members, attesting to the frequency of flare-ups, daily challenges, measures needed to manage the symptoms, loss of sleep, loss of alertness, etc. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Those suffering from sciatica will experience pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve which travels from the lower back down through the legs. your nerves, will also be tested. Thats because if your sciatica results in limited motion, you can only receive one rating for it. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? We are Veterans helping Veterans!Become an Elite Member and work with our Veteran Coaches to get the rating you deserve! If you dont have a service-related back condition, dont worry because you may still be able to get your sciatica service-connected. The rating for incomplete paralysis is If your condition is severe, an orthopaedic The AMA has been the VAs appeal system since 2019. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. injuries, which can lead to Sciatica, or severe radiating pain, are quite common Sciatica is not a direct diagnosis of the problem. Common symptoms include: Most vets went through long periods of standing or marching, strenuous physical exercise challenges, and weapons training during military service. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. 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? 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. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? When you go see the doctor and describe numbness or pain in your arms or legs, they will ask you more questions to narrow down your diagnosis. Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. Under these characterizations, each nerve has its own disability rating for each level of severity. First, the VA will rate the veteran's condition under the neuralgia category. 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. Radiculopathy Disability for Veterans When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve.