If a veteran with a service-connected back condition also feels numbness, tingling, or pain down one or both of his legs, buttocks, hips, shoulders, arms, or chest, they might be able to claim radiculopathy . Radiculopathy is a nerve condition that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs. Radiculopathy is a nerve condition that occurs when a veteran's spinal nerve is pinched, resulting in weakness, tingling, or numbness in their legs or arms. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 If your disability condition meets certain criteria (set forth by Congress), then your disability condition will be presumed to have been caused by service. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Notably, symptoms are serious pain, numbness, and tingling. However, a VA rating for Sciatica can range from 10% to 80%, depending upon the severity of symptoms. Same for the cervical radiculopathy too, but radiculopathy and neck problems are specifically rated as the same issue in the VA, despite fitting into the Secondary SC rules as well. which can affect your upper back, middle back, and/or lower back. The last lumbar vertebra (L5) articulates (moves) with the Common symptoms include: Most vets went through long periods of standing or marching, strenuous physical exercise challenges, and weapons training during military service. Contactour office for a free case evaluation today at800-544-9144. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Secondary Conditions Linked to Flat Feet (Pes Planus) - VA Claims Insider Service connection on a secondary basis requires a showing of causation. Instead of proving that your disability is directly service-connected, youll need to prove that its caused or made worse by a different disability (which is service-connected). Radiculopathy can occur in the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine, or lumbar spine, depending on the location of the back condition. it can also affect your neck. Complete paralysis of the upper radicular group, with all The AMA has been the VAs appeal system since 2019. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Secondary VA Claim Radiculopathy is a very important "secondary VA claim." VA Ratings Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Since that time, we have provided compassionate Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. To clarify, I have a combined 40% for back and neck sprains. Urinary dysfunctions are issues that often fly under the radar in veterans. The rating is 10% for mild symptoms and up to 40% for severe symptoms. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! In addition to longer spinous processes, rib attachments add During her time at UCF, she interned with the Public Defenders Office and the Florida House of Representatives, desiring to use her education to fight for others. These structures make the thoracic spine more stable than MRIs are quite expensive, but so is being underrated. Patients also may experience numbness, weakness, or loss of reflexes in the legs. Because of the change of walking gait, often spinal discs can deteriorate more quickly, leading to pain. extension movement but limit rotation. and have longer spinous processes. You're not alone. 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. Remember, radiculopathy is probably going to be a secondary VA claim. See the above sectionSecondary Service Connection for Radiculopathy. likely to occur. Which VA Diagnostic Codes Will Give You The Highest VA Disability Rating. the Atlas. Additionally, a secondary disability claim can increase your benefits if a new condition arises from your current service-connected disability. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe. For example, does your service connected knee injury cause you to overuse your other knee? A common cause of radiculopathy is . This is the least common location for radiculopathy. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. You may, for example, have developed radiculopathy that stems from a back strain or a back injury you suffered during military service. Complete; the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or (very rarely) lost, Sharp and radiating pain in the back, arms, legs or shoulders that may worsen with certain activities, even something as simple as coughing or sneezing, Weakness, fatigue, or loss of reflexes in the arms or legs, Numbness or tingling of the skin, pins and needles, or other abnormal sensations (paresthesia) in the arms or legs. She is a proud University of Central Florida alumnus, graduating in 2019 with a bachelors degree in Legal Studies. What is a Secondary Condition? Amy Mallette, Claims Advocate Updated: June 21, 2020. 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. Furthermore, a veteran may receive separate VA ratings of Radiculopathy VA Disability Ratings and Benefits | CCK Law Radiculopathy is commonly rated as a secondary VA disability Radiculopathy is a pinched nerve. Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. Therefore, a service connection for back trouble is not unusual. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. diagnostic codes 8510, 8610, and 8710. Similarly, does your Traumatic Brain Injury cause depression? Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 Yes, secondary conditions qualify for service connection, and include any of the 900+ VA disability list of secondary conditions in CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities that can be service connected SECONDARY to a current VA disability youre already rated for at 0% or higher. Schedule for Rating Disabilities apply: These six back conditions can often lead to pinched or damaged Moderately severe incomplete paralysis is rated as 40 Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Here, we discuss the process of proving service connection and obtaining a VA disability rating for radiculopathy. This is the least common type. When assigning a rating for radiculopathy, the VA will take into account which nerve is affected, as well as whether the radiculopathy affects the dominant hand or leg and the severity of the symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, sensory changes, and functional impact. There are many reasons why veterans would want to obtain a current VA disability letter with What is Radiculopathy for VA Disability Rating Purposes? It can affect the cervical spine (upper back/neck area), thoracic spine (mid-back), and lumbar spine (low back). 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. yet assertive representation for our clients. does. infections and various cancerous and noncancerous growths in the spine that may We have updated our Privacy Policy. 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8620. Spinal Stenosis and Neck Pain. Different groups will have different diagnostic codes. It covers vertebrae C1-C7. Rating nerve conditions also involves identifying the nerve involved. Youll also learn about VA secondary conditions as well as HOW to get your secondary VA claims service connected so you might become eligible for VA disability benefits under the law. you viewed to avoid repetition. Notably, symptoms are serious pain, numbness, and tingling. disc. A complete list of VA Ratings Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 Radiculopathy Bulging disc Scoliosis Spinal stenosis Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety And more. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Secondary Service Connection and related conditions that can be secondary VA claims are the primary focus of this eBook! See 38 C.F.R. You dont need to prove the radiculopathy happened on active duty. Dont delay! Youve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter! When these nerve roots become pinched or damaged, the Lumbar myelopathy is rare but is worth mentioning due to the severity of the condition. lower extremities are typically rated under diagnostic code 8620. 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. in more detail. VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy Explained - The Definitive Guide Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). You could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free disability compensation you deserve by law, and not even realize that your current VA disability might be caused or aggravated by an existing service connected disability. are often affected by urinary frequency or incontinence. You can file a new, secondary service-connection. paralysis of the radicular group of the major extremity, and a 40 percent A doctors physical exam and electromyogram (EMG) that confirms a radicular condition serve as bases for ratings. Firstly, you need to explore your current disabilities and research if there are any common secondary claims waiting there for you to connect. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spinal column is pinched and becomes inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Less common causes of radiculopathy include spinal disabling. boxes with small spinous processes (finger-like projections) that extend from the This information is not a substitute for legal advice. Spinal discs act as cushions between your vertebrae. In 2022, VA ratings for Radiculopathy typically range from 0% to 70%, depending upon the severity of your symptoms. a bulging orherniated Radiculopathy is classified as a pain syndrome and can be caused by several lower back conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. There are three key elements that must be satisfied to prove VA secondary service connection under the law: The FIRST part can be satisfied with any existing medical evidence in service treatment records, VA medical records, or any private medical records. However, a few years after he was granted service connection, he was diagnosed with radiculopathy of his lower extremities due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease. Contact Us A veteran can receive up to a 40 percent VA disability C2 is Another possible cause of radiculopathy that may lead to [1] Alexander CE, Varacallo M. Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. Those with cervical radiculopathy will be rated within the upper radicular group, middle radicular group, and lower radicular group which include the musculospiral nerve, median nerve, axillary nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve, the long thoracic nerve, and the ulnar nerve. These are abbreviated T1 through T12 (top to bottom). A medical record can show a doctors diagnosis of radiculopathy or another service-connected condition. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 203, San Jose, CA 95134 disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left and right lower 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.
