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. 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. paralysis is rated 60%. It is possible to prove service-connection for radiculopathy. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. suffering from Sciatica include: When one is suffering from sciatica, one Also, explain what you cant do because of that numbness. You can have crepitation in any joint. Sciatica develops when the pressure on the given based on how severe, moderately severe or extremely severe a condition So claiming "numbness and pain in my right leg" works as well as "radiculopathy" (in my right leg.) When it comes to your exam, the number one thing the doctor will measure for your back pain is your range of motion. I have 21 pages of VA medical documentation for burning, altered gait, radical symptoms, inability to ambulate, in addition to over 50 days of work missed this year, 2 local ER visits, and 1 VA ER visit. This could result in a 20 percent disability rating. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. As such, veterans living with sciatica may have trouble with many activities of daily living, including working certain jobs. Sometimes, there is little to no back pain with radiculopathy. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. The back pain is rated separately, so you could have a 40% rating on your back, 20% on your right let and 10% on your left leg which would make a combined rating of 60% with the bilateral factor thrown in. factors that will be considered. The key isnt how far you can move, but how far you can move before you are in pain. The required information to rank your condition must be recorded by the physician in your exam correctly. 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. They fought hard for me and got me more than I ever could dream of. It can be stiffness or even sharp pain. Veterans with severe sciatica may require the assistance of canes, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices to walk. Once it ends, then the 100% rating will be used for a certain timeframe. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. Pain or numbness can even come and go as you take deep breaths or physically exert yourself. You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits Check Eligibility For many people, sciatica can be treated effectively and the symptoms resolve. However, the criteria listed here can also be subjective. Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. 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. 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, VA appliesrating criteriaspecific to the sciatic nerve. Think of the three classifications like levels. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. This. Sciatica is extreme pain that radiates You may be owed compensation. 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. The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body and extends from the lower back through the hips and the buttocks, down each leg. Often, Veterans' radiculopathy is a secondary. 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. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Secondary Conditions Veterans Can Claim for Back Pain When applying for VA benefits for sciatica and related conditions, certain principles apply. If it causes moderately severe symptoms, it is rated 40%. Sciatica and Your VA Disability Claim | CCK Law Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 Mild symptoms are rated 10%. The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) regulates appeals for denials. circulation, limited functionality as well as atrophy of the muscles. VA Disability Benefits for Sciatica and Similar Nerve Conditions Amanda Dejesus, Veterans' Advocate Updated: January 12, 2023 Sciatica refers to pain involving a problem with the sciatic nerve. It doesnt affect your arms and legs as much as it affects your whole trunk. 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? 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. When it comes to your C&P Exam, you dont want to tough it out. Neuralgia cannot be rated higher Ensure that this occurs properly to make sure you receive a genuine rating. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. 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. The angle of your flexion for your cervical and thoracolumbar spine areas determines what your rating will be. It often shows up in your knees or feet. Incomplete paralysis can be determined as severe, moderately severe, moderate, or mild with disability ratings as low as 10 percent. If you think you may have Sciatica, but have never been to your doctor, pick up the phone and call the VA nearest you to book an appointment. Code 8720: Usually, radiculopathy does not require any major surgery. If you have a service-related back condition, your sciatica is likely connected to this, as sciatica is usually caused by other back issues. 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 Your flexion for the thoracic and lumbar areas are grouped together into the Thoracolumbar tests. He can now file a claim with VA for secondary service connection for his radiculopathy since it was caused by his degenerative disc disease. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Even if you have this, it often takes a long time for the doctors to rule out everything else and give you this diagnosis. Common symptoms include: Numbness radiating from the spinal area Physical weakness or pain Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. VA Benefits for Radiculopathy | Cuddigan Law How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. VA Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Aggravation ratings work slightly differently than primary and secondary service connection ratings, depending on the initial severity of the condition compared to the present level of severity. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. If you want a permanent disability rating for your joint pain, youll need a diagnosis and a clear measurement of your range of motion. For instance, which pages you go to most. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Contact Us This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Paralysis is the most severe classification, followed by neuritis, and then neuralgia. sciatica, you will want to make sure that you are given the right rating in Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? The location of your symptoms, the They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Loss of ability to lead a normal and functional life is the exact reason that VA disability benefits are awarded. You should start the five year process for applying for VA benefits today. cannot be lifted by the muscles in the legs), all the muscles in the leg below Back injuries and various musculoskeletal 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. The sacrum is the region of the back that connects to your hips and pelvis. The doctor cant feel what you are feeling. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Crepitation is the medical term for these sounds. 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. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. What Is the VADisability Rating for Radiculopathy? causes moderate symptoms, it is rated 20%. Hill & Ponton P.A. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? Can My Disability Rating Be Reduced By The VA? 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 only applies to your neck. Total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU, is a monthly benefit available to veterans who are prevented from working due to their service-connected disability or disabilities. Our veterans law practitioners have over 25 years of experience working with veterans. If you experienced radiculopathy during military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits for your disability. 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. While we still have our home base in Florida, However, if your sciatica is moderate or exam may also be administered as it will be able to provide valuable details of 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. If you are suffering from any loss of Therefore, neuralgia is generally the most common category that veterans fall into; however, it is possible that a veterans sciatica may present symptomatology consistent with a higher level of severity. 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. Remember if you ever fell, what your daily activities included, and how those activities could hurt your back. Incomplete, moderate paralysis is rated 20%. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy VA Benefits - Woods and Woods, LLC Veterans may experience a number of debilitating nerve conditions; however, three of the most common include peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and sciatica. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 When sciatica is serious and severe, it can make life extremely difficult and uncomfortable. Back pain doesnt often travel alone. If the veterans doctor has provided a favorable opinion on the claim, the vet can submit this supportive evidence in the C&P exam. For example, a veteran is service-connected for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. sensation and severe loss of reflexes, your rating will be categorized under It causes symptoms that spread out from the back down 1 or both legs. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Common symptoms include: Nerve issues, such as sciatica, are rated in three different categories based on the degree of severity of symptoms: Each of these three categories of nerve conditions also have sub-categories for mild, moderate, or severe symptoms, creating many different possible ratings for a condition that affects a nerve. That numbness or pain from a pinched nerve in your spinal column is called radiculopathy. 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. The skilled attorneys at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you navigate it. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. Radiculopathy is a "pinched nerve." Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. Under these characterizations, each nerve has its own disability rating for each level of severity. VA Disability Rating for Sciatica and Sciatic Nerve Paralysis Claim mild, you may only be able to receive a rating of between 10 and 40%. In many cases, lower back pain is caused by spine, discs, or nerve damage. They keep you informed. The vet may be accompanied by a witness, and they may bring notes about their symptoms and experiences into the exam room. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. To understand this condition, it helps to understand the parts of the spine: Vertebrae. Measures of your extension, lateral flexion, and rotation all combine to measure your cervical flexion. Lumbar is the region of your lower back all the way down to your tailbone. Most veterans receive a rating of 10 to 20 percent. But for others, compression of the sciatic nerve causes lumbar radiculopathy weakness and loss of feeling in the legs. The nerve functions, however, it is swollen, irritated, and painful. you viewed to avoid repetition. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Additionally, a secondary disability claim can increase your benefits if a new condition arises from your current service-connected disability. 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. 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.