You might be able to pay for some heating pads or some visits to the chiropractor/spa with that. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Sciatica is extreme pain that radiates 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. Some patients may require more time to recover than others. The primary cause of sciatica (present in about 90 percent of cases) is spinal disc herniation pressing on one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. This could help you gain a higher rating. It may have more than one single cause. These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. Thoracic radiculopathy occurs when a nerve in the upper back is pinched, and people may experience pain in their chest or torso area. 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. 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. If you are suffering from bilateral 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. Every case is different, but let us take a free look at your claim before you send it in, or even before you start the application process. This leaves room for many different interpretations and inconsistencies between the Regional Offices, Board of Veterans Affairs judges, and more. 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. This is the rarest form which means it is also the least diagnosed. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve may lead to a 60 percent disability rating. Often, Veterans' radiculopathy is a secondary. You can download the questionnaire right here to see what kind of questions they are going to ask about your back. In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, Veterans who are seeking an increased rating or service connection for a new disability often ask whether re-opening their file can cause the VA to reduce their existing rating. Symptoms including severe loss of reflexes, loss of sensation, muscle atrophy, and severely reduced movement can be considered severe neuritis. Even if you have this, it often takes a long time for the doctors to rule out everything else and give you this diagnosis. The coccyx is your tailbone and its at the very bottom. 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. The AMA has been the VAs appeal system since 2019. Incomplete, moderately severe paralysis is rated 40%. order to receive the compensation that you deserve. 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. Technically, the term sciatica usually refers to neuralgia (i.e., sharp pain due to an irritated or damaged nerve) of the sciatic nerve. Other key evidence may include a medical experts professional opinion that the service-connected condition (low back strain, for example) caused the radiculopathythus indicating a secondary service-connected disability. This is when the nerve cannot function at all. For radiculopathy specifically, youll be rated on neurological symptoms. Also, have your boss (or especially your ex-boss if you got fired!) Brian Reeseis a VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, andfounder of VA Claims InsiderThe Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.. Sciatica is usually diagnosed after a What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? 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. While we still have our home base in Florida, Sciatica is not an actual diagnosis of a 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. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. Instead, its a precise way of describing the location of the pain. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 Developed new symptoms? 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. Keep track of how often and how severe your episodes are. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. the causes of your sciatica. will usually find that: VA disability ratings for Sciatica fall under one of the following codes from eCFR, Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities: Code 8520: All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. you viewed to avoid repetition. Secondary VA Claim Radiculopathy is a very important "secondary VA claim." The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Please complete this form to send us your message. He can now file a claim with VA for secondary service connection for his radiculopathy since it was caused by his degenerative disc disease. problem, but rather, an accurate way of describing the location of the pain. 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. It can affect one side or the other, and be different levels on both sides. How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? impossible. Sciatica is the pain that one experiences We have updated our Privacy Policy. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 That is only the average, but even if you start applying with a 10% now, youll be in great shape to increase your rating to 60% later. It is possible to prove service-connection for radiculopathy. Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. VA disability ratings are expressed as percentages and range from 10% to 100%. 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. This is because it can offer valuable information on the causes of your problem. If you cant feed yourself, you would be closer to the 50-70 level and maybe even qualify for Aid and Attendance. The VA can order a clarification from the examiner, or even order a new exam with a different examiner. cannot be lifted by the muscles in the legs), all the muscles in the leg below Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? VA disability ratings for back pain go from 10% to 100% depending on how severe your symptoms are, including your range of motion and pain frequency and level. Service Connection by Aggravation: What If You Were Diagnosed With Radiculopathy Before Service? Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8520, Neuritis of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8620, Neuralgia of the Sciatic Nerve Diagnostic Code 8720, Issues with the VA Rating System for Sciatica, Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick For Help with Your Sciatica Benefits, Sciatica VA Disability Claims and Ratings, Top 20 VA Disability Claims and Their Ratings, 10 Most Common Disabilities for Veterans and How Theyre Rated. According to the Mayo Clinic, Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. It can be hard distinguishing between the three categories and degrees of severity to understand your nerve ratings. Refer to our disability calculator to figure out your estimated VA rating. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Pain or numbness can even come and go as you take deep breaths or physically exert yourself. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Back pain can be established as a service-connected disability, but did you know there are specific conditions like radiculopathy that can get you a higher VA rating? Our certified VA Disability lawyer team works with doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists to work through your claim and make sure every inch is covered. They keep you informed. Measures of your extension, lateral flexion, and rotation all combine to measure your cervical flexion. VA rates sciatica under38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings neurological conditions and convulsive disorders, as follows: Importantly, there is no disability rating for severe neuralgia. Sciatica can be incredibly difficult to live with and in severe cases can cause difficulty in walking and paralysis. Vets who receive a mailed notice should attend the exam to avoid a claim being denied. When sciatica is serious and severe, it can make life extremely difficult and uncomfortable. For example, a veteran is service-connected for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. If the condition is moderate, 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. 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. Keep in mind that a VA rating for radiculopathy is normally determined as a secondary condition, contingent on another spinal disability. back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations, talk to our staff to write up a lay statement, Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, Nervous System Conditions VA Disability Articles, Neurological issues VA disability articles, I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm, Pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower back, The highest level of pain when theyre sitting or standing, Difficulty standing up for long periods or walking for a long time, A worsened pain after sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing, An in-service situation or event that may have caused or contributed to your problem, A medical opinion linking the in-service situation or event to your sciatica condition (. 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. This results in inflammation, pain, and usually some numbness in the affected leg. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more.