Technically, the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. . To receive VA disability for spinal stenosis, like all other disabilities, a Veteran must first establish service connection for the injury. Favorable position means your spine is locked but more or less vertical, so you can still sit at a desk chair, for example. 5241 Spinal fusion. The VA disability rating for spinal stenosis will be based on both individual ROM measurements and the total ROM measurement. For example, if the cervical spine ROM measurements are 15, 30, 0, 30, 45, and 45, the total ROM . 5240 Ankylosing spondylitis. Berry Law is a team full of Veterans, with attorneys from the Army, Navy, Air . Spinal stenosis; The formula that VA uses to rate back disabilities with a diagnosis code between 5235 and 5242is the same. Check out our spinal stenosis blog here! . The Veterans Administration recognizes spinal stenosis as a disability. Pain #2. Examples of a few disability ratings for spinal stenosis are: 20%: A 20% disability rating for spinal stenosis means you have more than 30 degrees forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, but not greater than 60 . If all the muscles in the leg and below the knee fail to work along with great difficulty in bending the knee, it could result in an 80% disability rating. As your arthritis develops, the spinal canal may narrow, pinching the spinal cord or the nerves around it. 5242 Degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (also, see either DC 5003 or 5010). Spinal muscles: Sacrospinalis (erector spinae and its prolongations in thoracic and cervical regions). A denied claim is not the end. Weakness #4. Specifically, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as follows: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. We represent the disabled nationwide. 5239 - VA disability rating for Spondylolisthesis or segmental instability: A condition that causes a vertebra to slide forward over the bone below it. Lumbar IVDS accounts for 62% of all disc disease. Some less severe forms of paralysis could result in a 10% rating, given the seriousness of the symptoms. Often, spinal stenosis is caused by the formation of bone spurs that grow into your spinal canal. Basically, the SSA understands it's harder to go back to school, move for work or change careers after age 50. The total ROM measurement is merely the sum of the individual ROM measurements for each of the spine segments. The only problem is that I have had spinal fusion on my lower back on oct 8 2008, I was faxing the DAV all my information as I would get it from the doctors. Veterans looking to receive VA disability for spinal stenosis often develop the disability due to an injury to the spine. Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, you will receive a disability rating between 0% and 100%. Chronic pain, tingling, cramping, burning or numbness in your lower back, buttocks and thighs Pain that doesn't come from one specific nerve area that comes and goes Weakness that happens anywhere between your hips and your toes Cannot walk without assistance (i.e., you need a walker, cane, two crutches or another person to help you get around) The rating will largely depend on whether you have lost range of motion as a result of stenosis. If the VA determines your spinal stenosis is service-connected, you will receive a disability rating between 0% and 100%. Additionally, scoliosis has been linked to spinal stenosis and arthritis of the spine, meaning that veterans who are service-connected for scoliosis may be eligible for secondary benefits for spinal stenosis and scoliosis. Va rating of 60%. Which it turns out are more than just one item. Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) is a relatively common problem affecting over 400,000 people a year in the United States. Frequently, spinal stenosis is present in the low back but can be present in the cervical spine area as well. Stenosis can occur in both the cervical (neck) and/or lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . This is a very specific, but not uncommon, cervical and thoracolumbar spine condition. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. As your arthritis develops, the spinal canal may narrow, pinching the spinal cord or the nerves around it. One of the rated conditions I left the Army with was "Degenerative Disc Disease" at 10%. Diagnostic code 5238 is Spinal Stenosis. Search: Va Disability Claim For Sciatica, walk, bend, stoop, twist, lift, etc But who is entitled to receive Social Paragas graduated from the Dr Francisco Q Duque Medical Foundation College of Medicine in 1986 For claims filed while on active duty or within one year of discharge from active duty, the claim date is the first day following discharge com VA rates sciatica under 38 CFR 4 com . 0% rating Forward flexion of the cervical spine over 40 degrees 10 % rating Forward flexion of the cervical spine over 30 degrees, but less than or equal to 40 degrees; or a combined range of motion of the cervical spine above 170 degrees but not causing abnormal spine contour or abnormal gait The rating will largely depend on whether you have lost range of motion as a result of stenosis. This can severely affect your movement and eventually takes a toll on your ability to move. VA rates spinal fusion according to 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System (Diagnostic Code 5241) and the criteria is based largely on a veteran's range of motion. 5001 Bones and Joints, tuberculosis. Spinal stenosis is a disorder that affects your back. Lack of endurance It results in chronic pain, numbness, and weakness in your body. The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veteran's mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. However, it can also be caused by herniated discs, thickened ligaments in your spine, tumors, and spinal injuries. Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine It is the problems that may be CAUSED by Spinal Stenosis that are rateable. In . Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you may be able to file for a permanent spinal stenosis disability. Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. To qualify for a 50 percent rating, a veteran would need to have "unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine." . Frequently, spinal stenosis is present in the low back, but can be present in the cervical spine area as well. The narrowing can lead to compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and nerves, which, in turn, can lead to: muscle weakness in the arms or legs loss of deep tendon reflexes (DTR), and title 38 cfr 4.71a ( I believe) The kicker is that the effected nerves should be rated separate. VA disability ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease also depend upon "Functional Loss," which means impairment of spine function as determined by range of motion as reported in the physical examination and additional loss of range of motion after repetitive use caused by the following factors: #1. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve . VA Disability Rating Levels and Compensation Amounts for Spinal Injury. Spinal stenosis VA Ratings. Diagnostic code 5238 is Spinal Stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space in the spinal canal. Specifically, VA rates spinal stenosis according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, outlined below: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Yes, Back Pain is a VA disability. Specifically, VA rates spinal stenosis according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, outlined below: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine Thank God I am a Vet 54 1 Jan 17, 2012 #3 Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space in the spinal canal. Degenerative Disc Disease is a painful spinal disorder caused by the steady degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which are the pads that cushion the bones in the vertebrae of your spine.. With age or trauma, the intervertebral discs lose their water content, leaving the discs more prone to tearing or damage. Specifically, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine as follows: 100% - unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine The narrowing can lead to compression (squeezing) of the spinal cord and nerves, which, in turn, can lead to: muscle weakness in the arms or legs. Check out . It is listed in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities under the listings for Musculoskeletal System, Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. . Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Diseases 5000 Osteomyelitis, acute, subacute, or chronic. Your spinal stenosis may force you to stop working before normal retirement age because you can't do certain things. VA rates spinal stenosis according to 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System, Diagnostic Code 5238. loss of deep tendon reflexes (DTR . If you were denied disability benefits by the VA or were given a low disability rating, Berry Law can help you appeal. VA rates spinal fusion according to 38 CFR 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System (Diagnostic Code 5241) and the criteria is based largely on a veteran's range of motion. Fatigue #3. Spinal stenosis VA disability benefits are available to veterans with a spinal cord injury. Jan 17, 2012 #2 It is rated under another diagnostic group. Examples of a few disability ratings for spinal stenosis are: 20%: A 20% disability rating for spinal stenosis means you have more than 30 degrees forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, but not greater than 60 . Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. As of December 1st, 2021 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows: 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month. January 30, 2016 / in Back Disorders, Degenerative Disc Disease, Disabling Conditions, Spinal Cord Disorders, Spinal Stenosis. The disabilities we propose to add are: spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the central spinal canal that causes pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, most commonly due to degenerative arthritis or degenerative disc disease) (diagnostic code 5238), spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (slipping of all or part of one vertebra forward . . VA Ratings for Back Pain range from 10 percent to 100 percent, with breaks at 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, and 50 percent. Spinal stenosis is in the VA rating schedule under diagnostic code 5238 that VA uses. 10 percent disability rating: $152.64 per month. It is a max of 60 percent based on incapicitating episodes or bed rest for a period of time over a period of time. Neck muscle injuries. The following spinal conditions are all rated under the same general rating formula: Lumbosacral or cervical strain (diagnostic code 5237): This would be the diagnostic code assigned to a Veteran experiencing pain in their neck or back. All but 10% of lumbar IVDS is at the L4-L5 or L5-S1 level. To receive a 30% rating or above, a veteran must prove ankylosis, which is joint stiffness caused by an injury or a disease. This means that a 10% VA disability rating for spinal stenosis plus 60% VA disability rating for peripheral nerve disability in an arm will produce an overall VA disability rating of 60%. 5238 Spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis VA disability benefits are available to veterans with a spinal cord injury. While some people have intermittent pain or numbness when walking, others are so severely impacted that they require surgery. I was injured in Iraq on Nov 19 ,2007, I filed my claims when I got home from Iraq, the V/A called me yesterday and told me that I got a 60% rating for. Technically, the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. 50% - unfavorable ankylosis of . Stenosis can occur in both the cervical (neck) and/or lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. 5238 - Spinal stenosis VA disability rating: This occurs when the spaces in the spine become more narrow, putting pressure on spinal nerves and causing pain. IVDS commonly includes back pain and sciatica (pain along the course of the sciatic nerve into the buttock and the leg) in the case of lumbar disc disease, and neck plus arm or hand pain in the case of cervical disc disease. yes been offered surgery and epidoral shots still deciding have a claim pending Severe spinal stenosis is rates as IVDS. Lumbar spinal stenosis is generally diagnosed in people over the age of 50, and the symptoms of the condition vary from person to person. 20 percent disability rating: $301.74 per month. This is a very specific, but not uncommon, cervical and thoracolumbar spine condition. The VA rates spinal stenosis disability claims according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. 5239 Spondylolisthesis or segmental instability. In addition, many veterans are eligible to receive both Veterans disability and Social Security benefits at the same time. To qualify for a 50 percent rating, a veteran would need to have "unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine." . Spinal Stenosis by itself means literally nothing, other than that you have a narrowing of the spinal canal at some point (which about 70% of adults have normally). Spinal stenosis; The formula that VA uses to rate back disabilities with a diagnosis code between 5235 and 5242is the same. The closer you are to your normal retirement age, the more likely you are to qualify for disability benefits. Below is a complete list of VA disabilities for the musculoskeletal system, listed in order by Diagnostic Code (DC) from CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Frequently, spinal stenosis is present in the low back but can be present in the cervical spine area as well. The spinal cord can be squeezed . The VA uses ankylosis in providing ratings for the following conditions: 5235 Vertebral fracture or dislocation 5236 Sacroiliac injury and weakness 5237 Lumbosacral or cervical strain 5238 Spinal stenosis 5239 Spondylolisthesis or segmental instability 5240 Ankylosing spondylitis 5241 Spinal fusion Spinal stenosis is in the VA rating schedule under diagnostic code 5238 that VA uses. VA rates spinal stenosis according to 38 CFR 4.71a - Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System, Diagnostic Code 5238. Call 800-562-9830 or request a free consultation with a lawyer about your spinal stenosis disability claim today. . Vertebral fractures and dislocations (diagnostic code 5235). The VA rates spinal stenosis disability claims according to its General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. I've had a lot of issues that led to seeking civilian treatment, and that has finally culminated in more concrete diagnosis of my spinal issues. While scoliosis does not have its own disability rating, VA does have a general rating formula for spine conditions. The VA rates Back Pain under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.