Va Disability Rating For Degenerative Arthritis Of The Spine

If the VA Rater has been provided a claim with MRIX-Ray evidence of Degenerative Arthritis Osteoarthritis of the knees for example is a CP Exam for range of motion still required or can the rater assign a rating of 10 or 20 percent without a CP Exam.

Va disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine. To receive a 20 percent rating for arthritis of the back X-ray evidence must show that two or more major joints or two or more groups of minor joints have degenerative arthritis of the back and produce occasional incapacitating episodes. If you developed degenerative disc disease as a result of military service you may be eligible for disability benefits through the US. The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as Diagnostic Code 5003 which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. Arthritis degenerative hypertrophic or osteoarthritis.

The VA uses ankylosis in providing ratings for the following conditions. Still many veterans only receive an 80 disability rating or lower for their back condition when it should be 100. VA rates degenerative disc disease under 38 CFR 471a Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System Diagnostic Code 5242. Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life.

Check out our Spine Conditions Ratings page for the exact codes and ratings. Or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees. Of course a limited range of motion is not the only way to get VA disability for back problems. Otherwise the VA ratings for arthritis are as follows.

Technically the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. It is possible to receive a 100 compensation rating from the VA for arthritis in the back if you are completely incapacitated and stuck in bed. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA awards disability compensation for all Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System that are service-connectedThe DoD will also rate service-connected Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System as long as they also make the service member Unfit for DutyFor Reservists the Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System must have occurred in the Line of Duty to qualify.

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. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. The report then lists general degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis with 268882 and 258135 recipients respectively. Because there are technically two diagnostic codes associated with one condition you would see the condition listed on rating decisions as 5242-5003.

The VA still uses this classification for most disabilities affecting the joints and for evaluation of degenerative joint disease of the spine. However the VA still rates degenerative arthritis of the spine under the criteria listed for diagnostic code 5003. All other types of arthritis or similar conditions are rated analogously as degenerative or rheumatoid whichever is the most similar. If your condition is Rheumatoid Arthritis or.

Requirements for a 100 Disability Rating. If your doctor orders bedrest the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. For example the specific code for degenerative arthritis of the spine is 5242. To be rated at 10 percent for arthritis of the spine veterans must have X-ray evidence revealing two or more major joints or two or more groups of minor joints are afflicted by degenerative arthritis of the back.

The other way is to receive the rating through TDIU. Good Day to All. The Department of Veterans Affairs says of this condition that when established via X-rays the VA disability rating will be made on the basis of limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved. The VA uses the rules of the VASRD to rate spine conditions based on pain limited motion damage to the bones diseases like arthritis etc.

10 forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees. The VASRD rates two main types of arthritis. VA Ratings for Spine Issues are Based on Movement Pain and X-Rays At your CP Exam they will measure your flexion FLEK-shun in your neck and back. The VA gives 100 ratings for the most severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis and when the entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position.

If your degenerative disc disease is severe enough the ultimate goal is to receive a 100 disability rating. My back condition wasnt diagnosed until after I was discharged. The VA requires that the examiner measure the maximal flexion and extension of the joints using a Geniometer. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is.

The first one is to have one or more disabilities that reach the 100 disability rating. You can see in this picture from CFR 38 Section 471a that they are still measuring it the same way they were measuring it 20 years ago. Can it qualify for VA disability. Degenerative arthritis of the spine is listed as one of the most prevalent service-connected medical conditions in the 2018 VA benefits report with 505553 disability benefits recipients for the condition.

20- if you experience less than 3 incapacitating episodes per year.