Veterans dont necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. TDIU can be awarded on a schedular or extraschedular basis. 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. 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). Radiculopathy in arms, buttocks or lower extremities can be secondary to several underlying physical conditions, such as: Because it is related to and accompanies numerous other back issues, radiculopathy is frequently claimed as a veterans disability that is secondary to other back conditions or back pain. Ensure that this occurs properly to make sure you receive a genuine rating. Damage to one or more of these discs can cause compression to a nearby nerve root. While the injury is in the back joints, the symptoms show up in your hands and feet. Sciatica can be incredibly difficult to live with and in severe cases can cause difficulty in walking and paralysis. Once its decided which category your illness falls under, you can be graded either under that category or under limited motion. Doctors look at your back in three sections. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. 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: Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. As such, veterans living with sciatica may have trouble with many activities of daily living, including working certain jobs. You can have crepitation in any joint. I had been fighting for my benefits since 1980 by myself and I managed to get 50% rating. If you experienced radiculopathy during military service, you may be eligible for VA benefits for your disability. It causes symptoms that spread out from the back down 1 or both legs. Often, those who experience sciatica have dull back pain and a sensation of an electrical current zapping them in their legs. You can download the questionnaire right here to see what kind of questions they are going to ask about your back. Radiculopathy is caused by a compressed nerve in the spine. Lumbar radiculopathy is irritation or inflammation of a nerve root in the low back. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. While one veteran may have specific symptoms, and the Regional Office finds that they have moderate sciatica, another veteran could have those very same symptoms and be judged as having mild sciatica. Back pain doesnt often travel alone. They are very knowledgeable. If your sciatica is severe, you may also have to take an orthopedic exam. If your neck crunches or grinds when you turn it in a different direction, make sure your doctor listens to those sounds. Well schedule follow-ups and hound the VA if necessary to move your case along. For direct service connection, you should prove the three elements: Once youre diagnosed with sciatica or a related issue, its time to file aVA disability claimfor VA benefits. Updated: April 23, 2020. TDIU is a more complex process than just one disability most of the time, so youll have to present your full case to the VA. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! If it Some patients may require more time to recover than others. Make sure you work with an expert when you file your claim with the VA so you dont miss anything like that. Crepitation is the medical term for these sounds. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in You may be owed compensation. is. 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. Secondary conditions develop as a result of an underlying condition or injury. sensation and severe loss of reflexes, your rating will be categorized under 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. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. In many cases, sciatica is the result of a ruptured intervertebral disk,an injury, or narrowing of the spinal canal that applies pressure on the nerve. 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? document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? 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 understand the causes of your sciatica, the first stage of the examination will involve you giving a complete history of your pain and symptoms relating to the issue. it can cause all the muscles below the leg and knee to stop working altogether. You stated that you "had an EMG that showed no nerve damage." Perhaps your problem is not what you call the disability . This Firm is So Good at what they do! Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. I have my transportation now. In mild cases, symptoms but not significant impairments exist. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on May 7, 2020 by Mike Woods Last Updated on September 6, 2022. 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. To understand which of the three classifications your sciatica falls under, look to the sciatic nerve itself. Discover exactly what sciatica is and whether yournerve ratingsallow you to claim benefits for your condition. 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.. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Our veterans law practitioners have over 25 years of experience working with veterans. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Examples of in-service incidents may include: Veterans do not necessarily need to trace their radiculopathy to one single active-duty incident. If it causes moderately severe symptoms, it is rated 40%. Paralysis of the sciatic nerve. 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. Peripheral neuropathy manifests as weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands or feet. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve is irritated, leading to shooting pain, weakness, tingling or burning through the buttocks and down a leg, or both. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about SMC and how you can actually get more than 100% of your VA disability benefit money. 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. Remember, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, so be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for a medical opinion. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Most veterans receive a rating of 10 to 20 percent. What Is the VADisability Rating for Radiculopathy? San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. rated 60%. Secondary VA Claim Radiculopathy is a very important "secondary VA claim." Feel free to call us at (866) 232-5777 anytime. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. The nice thing about this is that while you only have one back, you can get multiple ratings for a left leg and a right leg which can then be combined into a greater rating. Developed new symptoms? I have referred 16 veterans to this law firm. given based on how severe, moderately severe or extremely severe a condition They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. Already working with us? This period is three months unless another length (such as six months or one year) is noted in the condition ratings. injuries, which can lead to Sciatica, or severe radiating pain, are quite common 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. Radiculopathy Secondary to Back Disabilities; . Please complete this form to send us your message. 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. Incomplete paralysis can be determined as severe, moderately severe, moderate, or mild with disability ratings as low as 10 percent. If you think you may have Sciatica, but have never been to your doctor, pick up the phone and call the VA nearest you to book an appointment. That will bring in about $165.92 a month based on the current VA rating schedule. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 HIRE THEM! To prove service-connection for radiculopathy, a veteran 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. added to your overall combined rating for Sciatica. As we mentioned earlier, sciatica is caused by the irritation of the roots of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine, which can result from several physical activities. You may have another disability like diabetes or arthritis instead, so make sure you get a full physical from a doctor. 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. rating that you can receive is 60%. The general minimum for undiagnosed back pain veterans disability benefits is 10%. You've just been rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. for military veterans and when they are severe, they can make life nearly Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Service Connection by Aggravation: What If You Were Diagnosed With Radiculopathy Before Service? Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Obtaining VA Disability for Radiculopathy. The skilled attorneys at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you navigate it. It can be hard distinguishing between the three categories and degrees of severity to understand your nerve ratings. Youll tilt your head side to side and then you will turn your head to look around. sciatica, you will want to make sure that you are given the right rating in Veterans may experience a number of debilitating nerve conditions; however, three of the most common include peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, and sciatica. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. When Sciatica is severe, it can even lead