All the disabilities stemming from spinal stenosis should be accounted for in a fair VA disability rating. People with spinal conditions also often change how they walk to, If your spinal condition results in the development of a new disability or makes an existing disability worse, remember that you may be entitled to, In order to ensure that youre getting the most out of your disability claim, you need to understand how the VA rates your condition. To qualify for the total unemployability disability benefit, you must meet two distinct criteria: Note that theres a significant difference in monthly disability benefits between a 40% disability rating and a 100% disability rating. For example, if your disability requires frequent hospitalization or substantially interferes with your ability to earn a living, you may request a special disability rating from the VA. Our VA Disability Lawyers talk about SMC (Special Monthly Compensation). To continue receiving VA disability benefits, you should be compliant with these exams. General VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Forums . You could be entitled to $3,627 per month! When spinal stenosis causes additional disabilities, those problems may qualify as secondary service-connected disabilities. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. If you are concerned that your VA disability percentage for spinal stenosis fails to account for the extent of your disability, you may wish to speak to a VA benefits lawyer. Over time, you will attend additional annual exams at an area SCI Center. Its never too late to apply for VA benefits. It may result in a higher rating, and therefore a greater monthly disability compensation amount. These only occur in extraordinary cases in which the VA ratings formula does not account for the effects or consequences of your disability. If your spine is frozen due to spinal stenosis, meaning that you have no Range Of Motion, you may qualify for a relatively high VA disability rating. Yes, you can. Spinal stenosis is typically diagnosed with x-rays or MRIs of the spine showing a narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis simply refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal which results in pain, weakness, and numbness when nerves are compressed. I was injured in Iraq on Nov 19 ,2007, I filed my claims when I got home from Iraq, the V/A called me yesterday and told me that I got a 60% rating for. Were You Denied VA Disability Benefits for Spinal Stenosis? Free Disability Evaluation: Step 1. If two or more major OR minor groups are affected a 20% rating will be assigned if the arthritis is occasionally incapacitating. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. we represent clients nationwide. The closer you are to your normal retirement age, the more likely you are to qualify for disability benefits. Already working with us? 4.30 Convalescent ratings. Canes range from $25 to $100 and walkers can be more than $200. Call (855) 873-2604 For a Free Evaluation of Your Spinal Stenosis Disability Case. Pocket Card . As of December 1st, 2022 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. 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. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve could then result in a 60 percent disability rating according to the social security administration. The VA can reject a claim that your condition was made worse during your service if it believes that the worsening was a natural progression of the condition. Some joints are referred to as major joints, while others are referred to as minor joints. For example, if your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging disc, herniated disc, or other degenerative disc condition, you may get a better rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. When these lateral nerve roots become compressed, it can disrupt the signals passing from your brain and spinal column out through the nerve roots to your arms, legs, and other parts of your body a condition called foraminal stenosis, which can cause radiculopathy. If your service-related stenosis causes a secondary condition, that condition would be rated separately by the VA. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Spinal stenosis in the neck can cause: Numbness Tingling or weakness in a hand, leg, foot or arm Problems with walking and balance Neck pain Problems with the bowel or bladder Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. Less frequently, stenosis can occur in the upper back (thoracic). As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. Unlike a back injury that is caused by muscle, ligament, or bone damage, the effects of spinal stenosis are felt primarily in the nerves of the spinal cord. I bought a home. 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. Depending on what joint is affected, there will be an identifying diagnostic code assigned to the condition. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. If these conservative options dont get results, your doctor may recommend injecting a corticosteroid into your spine, which can give you relief for a few days or weeks. If you believe you may have been wrongly denied benefits, you may benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer. The VA assigns rating percentages based on the frequency of incapacitating episodes. Spinal stenosis is a form of degenerative disc disease. 10 percent disability rating: $165.92 per month. If we can show that you had spinal stenosis while in the service but you were misdiagnosed, you might even get some substantial back pay. ). Foraminal stenosis is the narrowing or the tightening of the openings located between the bones of your spine. Examples of a few disability ratings for spinal stenosis are: 20%: A 20% disability rating for spinal stenosis means you have more than 30 degrees forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, but not greater than 60 . If your spine is locked in an unfavorable position, you may qualify for a relatively high disability rating as high as 100%. These measurements are taken while bending the neck and back forward and backward, tilting the neck and back from size to side, and rotating the neck and back to each side. Appellant. For instance, which pages you go to most. After recovery, the VA will re-evaluate their condition. Your spinal stenosis may cause or contribute to other medical conditions, as well. When these lateral nerve roots become compressed, it can disrupt the signals passing from your brain and spinal column out through the nerve roots to your arms, legs, and other parts of your body a condition called, Your spinal stenosis may be accompanied by other back conditions, including, Lumbosacral or cervical strain (diagnostic code 5237) used to refer to neck or, Spondylolisthesis/segmental instability (, Ankylosing spondylitis (diagnostic code 5240) a painful type of spinal arthritis. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. This can severely affect your movement and eventually takes a toll on your ability to move. Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security 1.00 Musculoskeletal Disorders - Adult Section 1.01 Category of Impairments, Musculoskeletal . When pursuing a VA disability rating for back pain, its important to know your options. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Spinal stenosis will cause pain in different areas of the body including the neck, lower and middle back, your buttocks and legs. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. At these exams, you can expect your doctor to ask you questions about your background and medical history, evaluate your symptoms and range of motion. Spine Condition Ratings. As you can see, ROM measurements play a significant role in rating spinal conditions. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. At Hill & Ponton, we have helped thousands of veterans successfully resolve their disability claims with the VA. For a free, confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your case, total disability individual unemployability, Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Ratings for Spinal Stenosis, Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability, Why you may need a veterans disability attorney. The SSA has a specific disability listing for lumbar stenosis. Stenosis can occur in the spinal column itself, or it can occur within the intervertebral foramen, which are the passages through which your nerve roots branch out laterally through the spine. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? If you were denied disability benefits by the VA or were given a low disability rating, Berry Law can help you appeal. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. A fair VA disability rating for spinal stenosis can be difficult to obtain. However, the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. You can talk these problems over with your physician, as well. For example, if you receive a VA disability rating based on a general spinal injury but could have received a higher VA disability rating for IVDS, you can submit additional evidence showing that your spinal stenosis is caused by a bulging, herniated, or degenerated disc and request a re-calculation. Va rating of 60%. Degenerative arthritis is the chronic breakdown of the cartilage surrounding the joints. You may qualify for VA disability compensation if you have an illness linked to Gulf War serviceoften called Gulf War Syndromein Southwest Asia, including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. The general rating formula for spinal stenosis and the other spinal conditions listed above is as follows: General Rating Formula Spinal Stenosis and Select Spinal Conditions. 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? Entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. Service-connected disabilities vary widely in severity and type: Some examples are the loss of a limb, migraines, and hypertension. Unfavorable means any position that is not 0 degrees in flexion or extension. Contact Info Is applicant currently receiving Social Security benefits? To qualify for disability because of lumbar spinal stenosis under listing 1.16, you must show that you suffer from ALL of the following: Non-radiating pain in one or both legs, or non-radiating loss of feeling in one or both legs, or neurogenic claudication (pain or cramping caused by nerve compression) REPRESENTATION. If your MRIs dont show a significant stenosis, but you are experiencing severe back pain that still inhibits your ability to work, and you have intervertebral disc syndrome, you may be able to get a higher rating due to incapacitating episodes. For example, fractured and/or dislocated vertebrae can lead to pain and weakness in the arms, hips, shoulders, etc. There are two types of spinal stenosis treatment: surgical and non-surgical. Trouble walking, and loss of bowel or bladder control may also result. Mayo Clinic notes that there are two different types of spinal stenosis: While occasionally a person suffering from spinal stenosis will show zero symptoms, often Veterans seeking VA disability compensation for spinal stenosis will display one or more of the following symptoms: Cervical Stenosis Symptoms Numbness or tingling in your arm or leg, weakness in your arm or leg, problems walking, neck pain, and bowel/bladder dysfunction.
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