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. While you should tell the C&P Exam doctor every detail of your symptoms and even bring a written account of when you had symptoms over the past year, there is a time to be quiet. Secondary Conditions Veterans Can Claim for Back Pain This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. Youll move your head forward and backward like you are looking up and down. In mild cases, symptoms but not significant impairments exist. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. is. Sciatica (Lumbar or Sacral Radiculopathy) | Michigan Medicine like coughing. Maybe You Want the VA to Deny Your Radiculopathy Claim! Do I file for Radiculopathy or Sciatica and if Awarded ask for retroactive pay from 2004? problem, but rather, an accurate way of describing the location of the pain. 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. Fill out the short form below to contact us. Radiculopathy is a broad diagnosis for the symptoms from a pinched nerve root at the spinal column base. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! It doesn't matter what you call the disability, as long as VA knows what you are talking about. 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. 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 When it comes to your exam, the number one thing the doctor will measure for your back pain is your range of motion. Below we're sharing the VA range of motion chart used to rate back . Rating nerve conditions also involves identifying the nerve involved. to paralysis, which is why it is important to file a VA claim for it if you are We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! 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. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? Incomplete paralysis can be determined as severe, moderately severe, moderate, or mild with disability ratings as low as 10 percent. The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) regulates appeals for denials. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 sciatica, you will want to make sure that you are given the right rating in When you apply for VA disability for Cervical or Lumbar Radiculopathy, the key is how much paralysis you experience and how often. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Be sure to request an opinion from your physician stating that your sciatica issues are likely a result of your time in service. If the veteran has objective signs of impairment that can be found via testing, they will get only a moderate rating. If the veterans doctor has provided a favorable opinion on the claim, the vet can submit this supportive evidence in the C&P exam. Radiculopathy is caused by a compressed nerve in the spine. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? serious, your rating will only be 10%. The doctor cant feel what you are feeling. Once it ends, then the 100% rating will be used for a certain timeframe. I had been fighting for my benefits since 1980 by myself and I managed to get 50% rating. 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. Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sometimes, there is little to no back pain with radiculopathy. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve is irritated, leading to shooting pain, weakness, tingling or burning through the buttocks and down a leg, or both. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. For instance, which pages you go to most. I was already SC and rated 20% for my back and 10% for right leg sciatica. Also, have your boss (or especially your ex-boss if you got fired!) It comes with symptoms like numbness in your hands and feet, a lack of flexibility, and even digestion or bowel issues. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is [K.S]. Specifically, the veteran's radiculopathy affects the veteran's sciatic nerve. Thats because if your sciatica results in limited motion, you can only receive one rating for it. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. 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. Nerve damage can be difficult to deal with and often leads to a decrease in What is the VA disability rating for Sciatica? These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Neuritis of the sciatic nerve. 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. We advocate for the disabled. Different groups will have different diagnostic codes. When one is suffering from severe but Usually, radiculopathy does not require any major surgery. 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 VA may award service-connected disability benefits for conditions that arose before the time of active duty but worsened during it. It doesnt affect your arms and legs as much as it affects your whole trunk. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. 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. We guide our clients through the most difficult times in their lives with courtesy, respect, and professionalism. 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. 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. Radiculopathy VA Disability Rating: Cervical, Lumbar, Thoracic Radiculopathy L4-L5 vs Chronic Sciatica Claim - HadIt.com Veterans Lumbar is the region of your lower back all the way down to your tailbone. VA Benefits for Sciatica | Cuddigan Law The typical symptoms of a radicular condition depend on the location of the affected nerves. Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gulf War Syndrome all have the capability of a higher rating. 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. Secondary VA Claim - Radiculopathy - Combat Craig Loss of ability to lead a normal and functional life is the exact reason that VA disability benefits are awarded. They keep you informed. . Radiculopathy Secondary to Back Disabilities; . 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. Click HERE to read now. If you are suffering from neuritis, the highest 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. Lumbar Radiculopathy. These are paralysis, neuritis, and neuralgia. 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. yet assertive representation for our clients. 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. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. The nerve functions, however, it is swollen, irritated, and painful. Mild neuralgia can lead to a 10 percent disability rating if there are symptoms of only mild or theres a mild intervention with the limbs functionality. Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, nerve root in the spinal column is pinched and becomes inflamed, Secondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy, VA Ratings for Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy, Top 5 VA Errors on Veterans Disability Claims, Tingling from the spinal area outward into the hips, legs, shoulders, or arms, Breaking or dislocating a vertebra or suffering physical back strain while training, Was noted in the service persons entrance examination, Got worse during the persons time of service, as shown by medical records such as a comparison of reports on the veterans disability before and during, or soon after, service, Worsened more in service than it would have worsened outside of service.