Va Rating For Bulging Disc

Or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees.

Va rating for bulging disc. Have two or more service-connected disabilities with one having an individual rating of 40 and a combined rating of 70 or more. Technically the highest VA rating for a thoracolumbar spinal disability is 50 percent. The rating could range from anywhere between 10-50 or 100 each providing a different amount of monthly benefit. It is important to note that for bulging disc VA may also consider an evaluation under intervertebral disc syndrome if the veteran meets the criteria outlined below.

The VA rates herniated discs by the number of incapacitating episodes it causes and the limitation to a Veterans range of motion. Bulging Disc is quite a common occurrence in young adults and the elderly population. The spine is rated by either ROM or incapacitating episodes. If your disability has been continuously rated at or above a certain rating level for 20 or more years the VA cannot reduce your rating unless it finds the rating was based on fraud.

However a VA rating for Sciatica can range from 10 to 80 depending upon the severity of symptoms. Your doctor will use a number of images to track the rate of progression and develop a treatment plan that can keep further damage at bay. This is a very high standard and its unlikely the rating would get reduced. This might be the case for a veterans degenerative disc disease as the highest schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 is only 20 percent.

1 Usually bulging disc can be resolved over time if managed well whereas the herniated disc will just scar down since the annulus outer layer of disc has ruptured. The most common area where a disc bulge or bulging disc occurs is the L4-L5 region of the lumbar spine which compresses the L5 and S1 nerve root. When a Veterans advocate sees a rating for degenerative joint disease of the spine he should first make sure that the rating was not based on the rating code listed above but rather on the rating for intervertebral disc syndrome IVDS 5293. A VA examiner will then assign a rating based on the doctors assessment and any other evidence that you supply in your application.

Treatment for Herniated or Bulging Discs Treatment of bulging and herniated discs might include physical therapy non-steroidal pain medications oral steroids or even epidural injections in an effort to relieve pressure on the disc and reduce pain. For instance my spine is rated at 60 for IVDS incapacitating episodes They rolled my sciatica arthritis and other issues into that rating to achieve the 60. Hi Can a lumbar strain be a connection to a herniated lumbar disc. Medical Testing is Needed to Receive a VA Disability Rating for a Bulging Disc.

The highest possible VA disability rating for Radiculopathy across all radicular groups with complete paralysis is 90. In 2020 VA ratings for Radiculopathy typically range from 0 to 70 depending upon the severity of your symptoms. 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. VA Disability Rating for Bulging Disc.

10 forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees. To receive an extraschedular disability rating you must show the VA why your condition is worse than the 50 maximum. 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. 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.

Due to disc bulge there is compression of the nerve roots causing symptoms. When the disability arises from degenerated bulging or herniated discs the VA will apply its rating criteria for both general spine injuries and IVDS. To receive an extraschedular disability rating under 38 CFR 3321 b 1 for degenerative disc disease the following requirements must be met. However in some cases the VA has been known to give higher ratings to veterans who exhibit more severe symptoms.

The VA generally rates DDD between 10 and 20 depending on the number of joints affected. 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. A bulging or herniated disc can be the result of injury wear and tear upon the spine from natural aging or degenerative disc disease. 60 with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

But still many patients with Herniated discsBulging discs have NO symptoms so its important to get proper diagnoses for your specific situation. The inability to keep gainful employment. Of course a limited range of motion is not the only way to get VA disability for back problems. Get Help from Our Degenerative Disc Disease VA Benefits Attorneys.

Whichever will result in the highest evaluation is the method you will receive.