That numbness or pain from a pinched nerve in your spinal column is called radiculopathy. If your sciatica is severe, you may also have to take an orthopedic exam. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Under these characterizations, each nerve has its own disability rating for each level of severity. These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 Every case is different, so please contact our certified team. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! exam may also be administered as it will be able to provide valuable details of Secondary VA Claim Radiculopathy is a very important "secondary VA claim." That will bring in about $165.92 a month based on the current VA rating schedule. Was the veteran able to go through and explain all the important points about symptoms and experiences? Well also look and see if you can apply for more than one to combine and increase your benefits. Then, file a disability claim for your medical issues. You should start the five year process for applying for VA benefits today. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Also, explain what you cant do because of that numbness. document what special considerations you need at work to deal with this problem. If your mom remembers a before and after, have her talk to our staff to write up a lay statement to back your case. Call our office today for a freecase evaluation. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Sciatica can affect both sides of the body. 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. The sacrum is the region of the back that connects to your hips and pelvis. This. when the sciatic nerve is irritated. neuritis. Sciatica is a VA disability that's rated as a nerve issue. Well schedule follow-ups and hound the VA if necessary to move your case along. TDIU is essentially an alternative path to receiving maximum benefits. In 2019, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report which said that the lack of specifics in the rating criteria is leading to unfair and arbitrary decision-making. It can affect one side or the other, and be different levels on both sides. The latter is known asspinal stenosis. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. This leaves room for many different interpretations and inconsistencies between the Regional Offices, Board of Veterans Affairs judges, and more. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. This may also apply if you had existing radiculopathy that was made worse during your time in the service. If you dont have a service-related back condition, dont worry because you may still be able to get your sciatica service-connected. The VA commonly requires C&P exams to rate disability and determine the connection to service. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! 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. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy VA Benefits - Woods and Woods, LLC Each one of these areas connects nerves from your brain to all over your body. 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. Radiculopathy is a "pinched nerve." Essentially, the spine pinches the root of the nerve. This only applies to your neck. Neuralgia of the sciatic nerve (sciatica). By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. Am I eligible for VA benefits due to Radiculopathy? Incomplete, severe The VA rating for cervical radiculopathy is all based on how your shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands can move. Veterans dont necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. In many cases, lower back pain is caused by spine, discs, or nerve damage. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? You bend side to side and then rotate at the hips for the final measurements. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in Instead, its a precise way of describing the location of the pain. impossible. Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Gulf War Syndrome all have the capability of a higher rating. 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. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. 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. They keep you informed. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. first stage will involve getting a complete history of your pain, as well as To understand which of the three classifications your sciatica falls under, look to the sciatic nerve itself. than moderate, even if it is considered severe. If it is mild, it is rated 10%. Crepitation is the medical term for these sounds. Sciatica is not an actual diagnosis of a Radiculopathy is a great example of secondary service connection. While lower back pain is often treatable, it can lead to chronic pain and disability if left untreated. the causes of your sciatica. So claiming "numbness and pain in my right leg" works as well as "radiculopathy" (in my right leg.) Service Connection by Aggravation: What If You Were Diagnosed With Radiculopathy Before Service? This results in inflammation, pain, and usually some numbness in the affected leg. 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. Incomplete, moderate paralysis is rated 20%. technician to determine the underlying cause of your sciatica pain. 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. partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve, a 60% rating will be given. When you apply for VA disability for Cervical or Lumbar Radiculopathy, the key is how much paralysis you experience and how often. Once the regional office (RO) issues its determination, the veteran has a year to file an appeal. The symptom is likely caused by a lumbar or sacral radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease. Types of Radiculopathy. When sciatica is serious and severe, it can make life extremely difficult and uncomfortable. 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. Paralysis is the most severe classification, followed by neuritis, and then neuralgia. The vet may be accompanied by a witness, and they may bring notes about their symptoms and experiences into the exam room. Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. Nerve issues are rated by VA under three separate categories that are based on symptom severity. 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. I served during peace timein theArmy. 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. This could have a direct effect on your work if you cant look around while holding a weight. When Sciatica is severe, it can even lead Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. Radiculopathy is caused by a compressed nerve in the spine. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 This condition is commonly caused byback conditionssuch as herniated discs, stenosis, and bone spurs. Not all doctors know how VA disability applications work, so we have doctors on our staff to review your application before it goes to the VA. Our on-staff doctors know what the VA wants when it comes to granting benefits. movements that make the pain pronounced, as what gives you relief are all VA Disability for Radiculopathy // Appeals, Claims, Denials - Vet If your long thoracic nerve is affected, however, it will keep you from raising your arm above your shoulder level and will only earn a 30% rating at the worst. Vets who receive a mailed notice should attend the exam to avoid a claim being denied. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Since you are agitating the vertebrae in the middle of your back, this can get you when you are standing or sitting. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? The location of your symptoms, the 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. If you have a dull pain in your back but feel like your legs are being electrocuted, you probably have some form of sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy. 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. VA rates sciatica under 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings - neurological conditions and convulsive disorders, as follows: Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve - Diagnostic Code 8520 80% - complete paralysis in which all the muscles of the leg below the knee fail to work, causing serious difficulty in bending the knee 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. 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. This nerve runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks all the way down to the leg. Radiculopathy can have different symptoms and different names depending on where in the spine it occurs. If you think you injured yourself during your time in service, try to make some notes. 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. Remember, every conflict is resolved in support of the higher rating. Sciatica is usually diagnosed following a complete medical examination by a doctor. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.]