Sciatica/Radiculopathy C&P : r/VeteransBenefits - Reddit Common examples of back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations. Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. 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. It causes symptoms that spread out from the back down 1 or both legs. Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gulf War Syndrome all have the capability of a higher rating. Your flexion for the thoracic and lumbar areas are grouped together into the Thoracolumbar tests. However, the criteria listed here can also be subjective. If there are two equally strong exams with conflicting data, or if the sciatica issue can be equally rated under two different codes, then the one that offers the highest rating will be used. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. VA Rating for Sciatica: How to File a VA Claim for Sciatica Under these characterizations, each nerve has its own disability rating for each level of severity. Without this firm, I truly believe I would not have gotten all the benefits that I was eligible and entitled to receive. The location of your symptoms, the Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. The veteran has constant, severe pain in his lower back because of the radiculopathy affecting his ability to function on a daily basis. 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. How to Get Disability Benefits for Sciatica | DisabilitySecrets for military veterans and when they are severe, they can make life nearly The VA should give you the one that has the highest rating, if they only give you one. 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. Secondary VA Claim - Radiculopathy - Combat Craig A buddy statement can go a long way as we add it to your evidence. Radiculopathy is a broad diagnosis for the symptoms from a pinched nerve root at the spinal column base. How Is Radiculopathy Rated By The Va - VA Disability Compensation VA disability ratings for Sciatica fall under one of the following codes from eCFR, Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Code 8520: Paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Fill out the short form below to contact us. You dont have to pay anything until we win your case anyway. Neuralgia of the sciatic nerve (sciatica). Cervical radiculopathy is when a veteran has a pinched nerve in their neck. All clinician . Which limbs are numb or paralyzed and to what extent is how the rating is given. 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. Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims. 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. When one is suffering from severe but The sacrum is the region of the back that connects to your hips and pelvis. If you are suffering from total paralysis, If your mom remembers a before and after, have her talk to our staff to write up a lay statement to back your case. If you are suffering from bilateral 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. Incomplete paralysis can be determined as severe, moderately severe, moderate, or mild with disability ratings as low as 10 percent. Those with lumbar radiculopathy will be rated within the group of peripheral nerves of the low back and legs. 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. After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. By using the information weve provided you with, you should understand what needs to be measured and recorded for a proper diagnosis. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. exam may also be administered as it will be able to provide valuable details of The pinched nerve can cause pain and discomfort for veterans who experience it, and the pain is often experienced as numbness, tingling, or weakness. If you cant feed yourself, you would be closer to the 50-70 level and maybe even qualify for Aid and Attendance. You may have another disability like diabetes or arthritis instead, so make sure you get a full physical from a doctor. Sciatica most often occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or pinched, typically by a herniated disk in the spine or an overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae. 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. 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. Its not much, but its a start. How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? If you have a service-related back condition, your sciatica is likely connected to this, as sciatica is usually caused by other back issues. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. There are several common symptoms of sciatica. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 You might be able to pay for some heating pads or some visits to the chiropractor/spa with that. Thank you so much Woods & Woods. Incomplete, severe 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. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 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. Radiculopathy can have different symptoms and different names depending on where in the spine it occurs. yet assertive representation for our clients. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Support your beliefs with professional medical records before and after service to demonstrate that you didnt suffer from back pain until after your time in service. Theyll also check the reflexes in your knees, as well as your nerves. Popular Articles 2023 Military Discounts Offered by Stores, Services and Online Sites impossible. Partial paralysis can result in poor blood Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. also be made much worse after sneezing or when one makes unexpected movements Often we have clients with 20% ratings for back disabilities who could qualify for higher ratings for their serious impairments. Any sciatica condition that needs this is rated 100% during this specialized treatment. 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. However, the most common rating for lumbar radiculopathy is under the sciatic nerve. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Apr 27, 2011 #4. injuries, which can lead to Sciatica, or severe radiating pain, are quite common 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. It causes pain, burning, and numbness all the way from your butt down to your toes. Most Common VA Disabilities Claimed for Compensation: Can a 100 percent Disabled Veteran Work and Earn an Income? causes moderate symptoms, it is rated 20%. To understand which of the three classifications your sciatica falls under, look to the sciatic nerve itself. Radiculopathy is a great example of secondary service connection. your nerves, will also be tested. Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spinal column is pinched and becomes inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Examples of in-service incidents may include: Veterans do not necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Increasingly, the examiners useDisability Benefits Questionnaires, which independent medical experts can also fill out. 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. 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. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? The VA doesn't have a diagnostic code for peripheral neuropathy, so the VA rates the condition based on the nerve(s) involved. I have my medical files and here is the following: 3 Tiers of Sciatica VA Disability Ratings and How To Apply These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. You may be owed compensation. TDIU can be awarded on a schedular or extraschedular basis. 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. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! This could result in a 20 percent disability rating. Back pain doesnt often travel alone. You've just been rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs. The symptom is likely caused by a lumbar or sacral radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease. Rating nerve conditions also involves identifying the nerve 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. Make sure you work with an expert when you file your claim with the VA so you dont miss anything like that. The VA can order a clarification from the examiner, or even order a new exam with a different examiner. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Back injuries and various musculoskeletal A herniated disc in this region can cause pain that radiates down one or both arms. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Radiculopathy VA Disability Rating: Cervical, Lumbar, Thoracic factors that will be considered. 0 Percent VA Disability Rating: What It Means and How to Make the Most of Your 0% Benefits, The Complete Guide to Getting a VA Rating for Nerve Damage. 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. So, start at the bottom and work your way up. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. movements that make the pain pronounced, as what gives you relief are all