Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Learn how VA rates Veterans' nerve conditions and nerve damage (such as peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, radiculopathy, retinopathy) for disability benefits,. Examples of in-service incidents may include: Veterans do not necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. These are bones that stack to form the spine. level of pain either when they are sitting or standing, Sometime when one has The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. We stay with you every step of the way during your application or appeal process. Radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve, can cause major discomfort and problems with a range of motion during everyday activities. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. It may have more than one single cause. 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. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Additionally, a secondary disability claim can increase your benefits if a new condition arises from your current service-connected disability. 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. 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. The VA uses a general rating formula called the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities to determine the specific percent rating. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? Radiculopathy Disability for Veterans When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. They keep you informed. Each of these ratings of conditions has sub-categories which are mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. These cookies do not store any personal information. Diagnostic code 8510 puts the ratings into these four categories: These same ratings match most of the ratings of Thoracic and Lumbar Radiculopathy as well. Incontinence can also occur as a result. I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. Counsel can be very helpful for a successful C&P exam, and the right preparation can be the difference between an approval or denial. So, start at the bottom and work your way up. Lumbar is the region of your lower back all the way down to your tailbone. Neuritis of the sciatic nerve. After an exam, vets and witnesses should promptly memorialize their experience, and date their notes. Incomplete, moderate paralysis is rated 20%. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. This period is three months unless another length (such as six months or one year) is noted in the condition ratings. 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. 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. All clinician . These symptoms start in your spine and extend into your extremities. Incomplete but severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve may lead to a 60 percent disability rating. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 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. When it comes to your C&P Exam, you dont want to tough it out. Of course, the words Severe, Moderate, Mild all have vague meanings. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 which would make a combined rating of 60% with the bilateral factor thrown in. 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. If they can be shown to warrant separate ratings, then they will be combined together. Radiculopathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, irritated, or compressed. currently suffering from the condition. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 The coccyx is your tailbone and its at the very bottom. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. It can be stiffness or even sharp pain. Higher ratings are reserved for more severe cases. It is intended that the DBQs will be completed by the Veteran's health care provider. Back pain doesnt often travel alone. This was to add SC and rating for my left leg. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? If your claim for benefits for sciatic nerve issues was denied, or you believe your current rating is lower than deserved, consult with an accredited veterans representative to discuss your right to appeal. In many cases, lower back pain is caused by spine, discs, or nerve damage. For radiculopathy specifically, youll be rated on neurological symptoms. Radiculopathy causes different types of pain, but Veterans usually experience pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Code 8720: When the bones in your back lose their cushioning, they rub together and may pinch a nerve. Veterans with severe sciatica may require the assistance of canes, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices to walk. Peripheral neuropathy manifests as weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands or feet. Already working with us? 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. Refer to our disability calculator to figure out your estimated VA rating. to paralysis, which is why it is important to file a VA claim for it if you are difficult for one to stand up for extended periods or for one to walk for long, Pain from Sciatica can Diagnostic Code 8713 Neuralgia. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); They have shown me nothing but professionalism and quick responsiveness to any situation. First, the VA will rate the veteran's condition under the neuralgia category. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. If you just drop the remote control sometimes but otherwise youre fine, youll be closer to barely getting the 20% rating. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. sciatica, you will want to make sure that you are given the right rating in Loss of ability to lead a normal and functional life is the exact reason that VA disability benefits are awarded. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. 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. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. The doctor cant feel what you are feeling. In fact, over two million veterans suffer from nerve damage. The disability rating for radiculopathy can range from 10% for minor radiculopathy affecting the hand to 90% for major paralysis affecting all three radicular groups (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar). Work with some experienced VA lawyers to make sure you get all that you deserve on your first application. Make sure you work with an expert when you file your claim with the VA so you dont miss anything like that. 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. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. What Does Your VA Disability Rating Mean? 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. If you have a service-related back condition, your sciatica is likely connected to this, as sciatica is usually caused by other back issues. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. mild, you may only be able to receive a rating of between 10 and 40%. Claims involving both the cervical spine and the thoracolumbar spine are rated under the same general rating formula. For sciatica, for example, in radiculopathy of the lower back, the VA appliesrating criteriaspecific to the sciatic nerve (diagnostic code 8720), and assigns a disability percent rating on whether the neuralgia is moderate or mild. 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. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 They can only assess your symptoms based on what they can observe about your movements. HIRE THEM! 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. This could result in a 20 percent disability rating. You can download the questionnaire right here to see what kind of questions they are going to ask about your back. also known as sciatica, is not exclusive to one type of injury or condition. This is because it can offer valuable information on the causes of your problem. This is also called flexion. The symptoms and location can vary, and the particular area and nerve affected can impact a veterans VA disability rating for radiculopathy.

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