Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our VA disability lawyers to discuss how we can help you increase your VA disability rating for back pain. Depending on the part of the spine that’s frozen — and whether it’s in a favorable or unfavorable position — a different rating is assigned. In addition to the ROM measurements, the general rating criteria for spinal involves whether the cervical and/or thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable vs. unfavorable position. Attorney, Hill & Ponton, P.A. [1] Alexander CE, Varacallo M. Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. Free Case Review, rated under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis. Lower Back Pain Relief Acupressure Ner Me Tens Unit For Relief Of Back Pain Boston Pain Relief. VA treatment records from 1999 noted that the Veteran complained of lower back pain. It causes such problems as difficulty walking due to limited line of vision, restrictions to opening the mouth or chewing, diaphragmatic respiration resulting in limited breathing, and pressure on the abdomen that causes gastrointestinal issues. The chapter is divided into three sections. You want to try to get every rating you can from the VA, so make sure to count your increased back pain from your altered gait. Degenerative arthritis is the chronic breakdown of the cartilage surrounding the joints. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 Upper back pain is normally triggered by soft cells injuries, such as strains or stress, or muscle mass stress brought on by bad pose or looking downward for extended periods. The rating systems used for arthritis of the spine is the second most common rating system for spine conditions. Share with: ... (1973 to 1977) in the army, flat feet, intermittent lower back pain. Here are the factors for veterans that need to increase their ratings. Both degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis, regardless of the joint affected, are rated under diagnostic code 5003. Traumatic arthritis causes symptoms similar to other types of arthritis such as pain, inflammation, and build-up of fluid around the affected joint. While in law school, Anne was a research fellow for a professor who provided free legal counsel for military personnel believed to have been wrongly accused while at war. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Auburn University, magna cum laude If you have received a 60% VA disability rating for a bulging disc, you will also qualify for TDIU, effectively increasing your compensation to the same you would receive with 100% disability. Back pain can be debilitating — it can affect your daily life as well as your employability. Degenerative arthritis of the spine, sometimes referred to as facet joint osteoarthritis, causes a breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the back of the spine.

You can go from a 70% disability rating to a 100% disability rating by combining radiculopathy with other conditions. If a doctor doesn’t use a goniometer to measure your ROM, the VA will not consider the results. The rating assigned under the rating criteria for degenerative arthritis depends on how many joint groups are affected and whether there is painful motion. The Davis Law Firm in San Antonio, TX This includes the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee ankle, fingers, toes, spine, and the sacroiliac joint. The VA rating for degenerative disc disease typically is 20%, despite how much pain the condition may cause. While we still have our home base in Florida, we represent clients nationwide. This 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, will be assigned once only to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating. This guide will break down how the VA rates back pain and spinal disabilities, so you can take the first steps toward making a claim. There are two types of arthritis that are rated under the same rating system; degenerative arthritis, and traumatic arthritis. I am SC for my shoulders, and the pain has spread to my neck and back.