Va Disability Rating Bulging Disc

The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as Diagnostic Code 5003 which is used to rate degenerative arthritis.

Va disability rating bulging disc. For Reservists the condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify. While the VA often uses range of motion testing to give a disability rating for bulging discs your condition may instead be evaluated under the diagnostic code for intervertebral disc syndrome IBS if certain criteria are metDepending on how many incapacitating episodes occurred within a one-year time frame the VA may give you a disability rating for. In severe cases a bulging disc can cause muscle weakness loss of reflexes and numbness and tingling. Some develop degenerative disc disease DDD a painful and lifelong condition that can lead to significant disability.

Veterans often suffer from back and spinal pain after discharge. If your degenerative disc disease is severe enough the ultimate goal is to receive a 100 disability rating. Disability Benefits for Herniated or Bulging Discs. If you go to a CP examination for your herniated disc the doctor will likely have you bend or twist in multiple directions to determine how limited your range of motion is.

This rating schedule considers factors like range of motion when awarding a specific percent rating. This is a legal and. VA Claim for Bulging Disc Denied. So individuals with a low range of motion and other severe symptoms will receive a higher VA disability rating for DDD.

The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. VA Disability Rating for Bulging Disc. Degenerative Disc Disease VA Disability Rating Military service can place an incredible amount of stress on the body. The VA cannot reduce your rating unless it finds the rating was based on fraud.

Qualifying with a Herniated or Bulging Disc. Herniated Disc VA Disability Ratings. There was no disc herniation. Hi Can a lumbar strain be a connection to a herniated lumbar disc.

This is a very high standard and its unlikely the rating would get reduced. For any condition to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits the conditions symptoms must be severe enough to prevent the applicant from working for at least one year. When the disability arises from degenerated bulging or herniated discs the VA will apply its rating criteria for both general spine injuries and IVDS. The other way is to receive the rating through TDIU.

How does the VA Rate Degenerative Disc Disease. If a veterans bulging disc qualifies for either rating formula VA should use whichever method results in the higher evaluation. Many herniated or bulging discs either resolve themselves within. Herniated disc fragments or bone spurs compressing the nerves are well visualized but it is inferior to MRI in soft tissue detail.

Technically the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. Herniated and bulging discs typically heal within a year or can be restored with surgery which makes qualifying with a herniated or bulging disc rather difficult. Bulging Disc is usually asymptomatic but tends to cause symptoms of severe pain and discomfort when it impinges on the adjacent nerve roots. To qualify for a 50 percent rating a veteran would need to have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine Because of that qualifying for a 50 percent rating for a thoracolumbar spine disability is very difficult.

In this case the evidence is against the assignment of a compensable disability rating for the veterans bulging disc at L5-S1. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to rate musculoskeletal conditions which includes back conditions like degenerative arthritis. No radiculopathy or neuropathy were shown to exist. The most recent VA examination reveals the veteran has only a mild central disc bulge at the L5-S1 level.

The VA rating agency routinely limit its evaluation tool only one rating which is based on the ability of the veteran to bend or extend his back. Disc Bulge or Bulging Disc is more common than disc herniation and occurs with age. General VA Disability Compensation Benefits Claims Forums. People with a herniated or bulging disc often suffer from debilitating pain in the back and hips either temporarily or chronically.

There are two methods to use. The first one is to have one or more disabilities that reach the 100 disability rating. VA rates degenerative disc disease under 38 CFR 471a Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System Diagnostic Code 5242. Appropriate rating for back disability.

According to the VA flexibility must be fairly limited to even get a 20 percent disability rating. The VA awards disability compensation for each Back and Spine condition that is service-connected. To receive a VA disability rating for a bulging disc you need both a diagnosis of a deformed disc and medical testing to establish the severity of the disc problem. To receive an extraschedular disability rating you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50 maximum.

They will use this information to assign you a VA disability rating for your herniated discs. This occurs when your level of disability is beyond what the rating criteria typically reflects. Meaning that if you are significantly limited in your ability to bend at the waist you might qualify for the 20 percent rating. The VA rates herniated discs by the number of incapacitating episodes it causes and the limitation to a Veterans range of motion.

While the VA diagnostic code has a maximum rating of 50 it is possible to get a greater rating if you can prove how your spinal condition limits your function and your life. First to be considered for Social Security disability benefits your disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year. This will be determined on whether there is forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees.