Lower back va rating reddit. Rating is now ptsd with bipolar disorder.

Lower back va rating reddit We are twins my friend. Turns out there's a couple things going on in my lower back. Less you move, the higher the back rating. Also, if you have another C&P exam, it’s not about lying. You see them just like any other primary care physician; they refer you to specialists just like any other pcp would. We're here to help. So, awhile back I posted here asking if I should claim the hip pain I’ve been having since I got out in 2016. The first one is range of motion. Start by looking up diagnostic code 5054 in the rating schedule and go from there. Also, range of motion is 90% of the exam. You have various nerve groups running down from your back into your legs. Cornell. I stop moving as soon as I feel the slightest bit of pain. You can walk if with 4 shattered vertebrae and ruptured discs but those are more for your supporting information. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial This is a subreddit for news, sites, information and events that may interest veterans. Truthful statements that describe daily impact on your life: I can no longer go for walks, exercise or lift anything very heavy. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial Hello, I received a 30% rating for Acne. The CIPN claim included upper/lower – left/right sensory nerve damage. Hospitalizations (Temporary 100% Rating) Veterans who are hospitalized at a VA hospital or at an approved hospital for 22 or more continuous days due to a service-connected condition will be paid at the 100% rate, going back to the day that they were admitted to the hospital. I wouldn’t hang my hopes on getting a MH rating on them not re-evaluated out the gate. At this point you need legal help. This is a subreddit for news, sites, information and events that may interest veterans. Since VA docs must follow strict guidelines they are slow to be updated that their antiquated ways are wrong, yet those notes siting in your VA health record can be I have yet to get a formal diagnosis for my condition and am hoping other veterans might have some ideas. I see a chiropractor through VA community care for my back. Timeline: 08/20 - Separation and Initial FDC submitted 02/21 - Initial Rating 90%, with Lower back strain denied 04/22 - X-Ray showing Mild L5-S1 listhesis and L4-L5 retrolisthesis. Problems with the hips or lower back can fuck with a lot of downstream nerves. 71a under "General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine" is what the VA uses to determine your level of compensation for you back. Suffering from chronic lower back pain and thinking arthritis couldn't be a new injury I filed a claim. So on the next visit he says to me I wish you had told me you had a lower back injury a year ago and you wouldn't had to have went through all those painful humiliating Has anyone had a 40% rating for lower extremity radiculopathy? If so what was your current symptoms. No they will not lower your rating out of the blue. Or check it out in the app stores There is an area on the lower back DBQ that addresses flare ups. The lower, right, and left ratings came back at 20%, and the upper, right, and left ratings also came back at 20%. Or check it out in the app stores Lower back can also be connected to issues of the hips, knees, ankles, feet, etc. So not really spying on my physical life My MRI showed 3 bulging discs and I'm currently waiting to get into the VA's physical therapy program. I would also personally write a personal statement (21-4138) and state how back pain limits you at work and socially (occupational and social impairment is what VA rates claims on). Or check it out in the app stores Everything you need to get the Veteran's Benefits you earned and are entitled to. It could be a secondary condition if they say that the cyst happens as a result of your lower back issue or is connected in some way. Since they were secondary and realated to my back, I figured I couldn't use the bilateral factor. I decided to do it anyway because it’s been a huge burden in my life, especially considering my pain started occurring 3 months after I got Also, your Benefits will be reduce if you are incarcerated in a federal, state, or local penal institution for more than 60 days for conviction of a felony. When I was up against the VA for my back, they only wanted to do an x-ray at first, and I told them I was doing an MRI. So thank you. X-rays and such in trauma unit's care. VA reevaluated me bumped it to 70% in 2015. If they can provide a separate diagnosis for radiculopathy, claim in! Upper extremities are combined into one rating. It's just what we do. You have a year to appeal it. Since your back is already service connected, you don’t need nexus letter. Lots of things. We are here to support one another, and help resolve any VA / Veterans related issues. The tool can only show what data the VA provides. 2022 new claim, bumped to 80%. I have a couple questions that I hope you If it is SC: Ask/message your VA primary care physician for a MRI (preferred) or X-RAY because your back pain is getting worse. You can only have ratings for the thoracolumbar spine (mid and lower back) and cervical spine (neck). I walk a bit funny and my hips and knees hurts too. If for any reason, a proposal to reduce is made, they tend to be easy to defeat. Should i let them know I was at your rating for about 9 yrs and went for a evaluation and got bumped up to 80% and3 yrs ago. The most common rating on knees is 10%. Lower back Claim / Sciatic Nerve Help! , I was rated for years with my Lumbar/ lower back at 20%. I didnt apply for 20 years. I've been experiencing low back pain since I got discharged from the Army in 2011. They told me that my spine was uninjured but there's some arthritis in your lower back. Or check it out in the app stores Several years ago they wanted to reduce my rating for my lower back, while I was currently being treated by a VA MD! Took some time, they did reduce, but overturned the very next month. The VA makes it very hard to get anything for spine conditions unless you are immobile. In case you don't know, the VA uses something called a rating schedule which determines your 0-100%. I was given a rating for 3 separate issues and service connected for a lumbosacral strain (lower back) but 0% rating for it. I listed symptoms (that match the rating schedule) as bullet points to my claim AS WELL as my VES online account. You have to have enough evidence and medical opinions on your side to counter this. I had physical therapy for a few months after my fusion, which occurred after a full year of blinding and overwhelming pain due to herniated discs and whatnot. If you file a claim for "low back pain", the law requires the VA Anyone’s VA. Pain is 10 percent regardless of the severity of the pain. ROM and pain will almost always determine rating percentage for thoracic/lumbar and cervical disabilities. My muscles constantly tighten involuntarily and I have a tick where I continuously flex my muscles (mainly my neck, upper back, and shoulders). The VA will only award a SINGLE rating under range of motion per limb! No matter how many ranges of motion are impacted! But if the meds only treat 1 or 2 specific symptoms, and you still have a ton of other ones, then they (like in my case) will probably rate you higher. Not quite. 897 Other spondylosis, lumbosacral region = more DDD M54. Be sure and mention this during your exam. Good luck. I was proposed for reduction in 2018, and after a yearlong fight with the VA, which included my Congressman, I was victorious in not only keeping my disability rating, but I was actually increased overall and subsequently back paid. If/when you have a C & P, its thru a vendor examination or a DIFFERENT VA doctor (not your personal PCP). I also got hip pain secondary to my low back recently that put me 100 P&T. VA doctors work for VHA; they cannot “reduce” your rating. eBenefits is showing what it should be. MRI L1-L2 Mid facet arthropathy My C&P for my back was favorable. Now, to be honest - I was going to go do other searches - but this kind of proves my point. Spine ratings are solely based on ROM or ankylosis. Before that, a flare up caused sciatica. My C&P evaluator for my lower back said I’d have to submit separately but I think it depends on the specific evaluator. Veterans, do your homework and stay in the fight. remanded twice and back waiting on decision. Assuming you get awarded for your back, don't be surprised if the rating is lower than you expect. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial After many many many years I finally got a VA rating (back was service connected but with zero compensation) and they gave me 20% for my back- degenerative disease, spondylitis, radiculopathy and then 10% for right and left leg. Every male in my family has been in the army since the revolutionary war. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Now, you could open a claim for secondaries based upon how these affect your nerves - sciatica would be an example. They compared their findings to 2012. Out of the 4 things, it is by far the most painful, for lack of a better word, and I even go to physical therapy weekly because of it. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial Just to temper expectations, I had bad back issues: spondylolithesis (sic), pars defect, severe pain, degerative disc. This general rating formula is However, since the PACT Act passed, I have seen several veterans with MH ratings be reduced (unrelated to VR&E) even though they had maintained the rating for over a decade. I saw a VA doctor in 2012 who disregarded the symptoms I was experiencing and the faint pain I was having on a daily bases. I just looked at my ratings ( I have been 100%P&T for over a year now) and it shows they changed my low back rating back to 40%. In most cases, VA uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine under 38 CFR § 4. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial 988 Press 1 Call or Text or Chat That’s exactly what I claimed. That being said, however, back claims are notorious for being under rated. Fast forward to 2023 I decided to start using VA Medical and finally got that MRI. To my understanding, and if I receive the rating in both knees, I would receive a Billateral factor and go up to a total of 90% (91%) disability rating. Bilateral! That gets forgotten too quickly - Veterans avoid the VA for a reason. The really sad news is that ratings for your back suck unless your entire spine is frozen in an undesirable position. I'm looking at appealing the rating based on the way I performed the exam with the doctor. First to make the rating more inline with the disability (I think it should be 20 or 30% instead of 50%). Impression: Subtle degenerative changes. 30% requires puss filled cysts to impact 40% or more of your face/neck. My urologist asked to see my diagnosis my notes from the VA My MRIs x-rays etc. The rater went off of my last therapy session when I told my therapist that I had a good day because found a job after being unemployed for over a year. My C & P exam was on a bad day (from my back's perspective), so I was fortunate in that respect. 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. The provider diagnosed and put lumbar radiculopathy down both legs in my DBQ. If you are visiting r/veterans for the first time please read the rules. It includes the entirety of the rating schedule with helpful pictures, notes, organization and explanations. Still waiting for the rating so unsure how it will go. The second reason I think is because of the amount of work it causes the VA. (like my lower back spasms and shin splints) because of vitamin D deficiency Share Add a Comment. ANY data provided by the VA is likely suspect much of the time. The VA can not ignore medical evidence. You are past your 5 year mark so in order for them to reduce you they would have to have more than one follow up appointment to reduce. Favorable Findings identified in this decision: The claimed disability is a chronic disease which may be presumptively linked to your military service. He explained to me that your lower back is the foundation for the rest of your spine and muscles going up. My XO warned me the VA is cheap when it comes to back pain ratings. Congressman's office notified VA Benefits to schedule Comp&Pen within 30 days since they overlooked my records. I was shocked that it came back at 90% the first time around. VA Ratings for Back Pain range from 10 percent to 100 percent, with breaks at 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 It’s all about the ROM ( Range of Motion) during the exam. Sciatica CHECKED OFF: Moderate constant pain mild paresthesias mild numbness. It sometimes makes me walk weird. It’ll get put into your medical record automatically so the VBA I have a few questions about the range of motion. Just a little bit more of a fight. I was dumb to go for an increase thinking the next would be 80% and not 100%. You don’t even need a personal statement because the rating increase will be based on range of motion. Got sent to an independent doctor in another city. I went and saw a VA infectious disease doctor in 2019, and right now their short opinion about our 15 minute visit is the entire reason for deciding to try to lower my 100% rating. I was rated at 40% for my lower back and 40% radiculopathy for each leg but now they are proposing to lower to 20% for each leg. The 50% for the lower back (the 50% of the pizza you want to eat) is going off of the 50% remaining (the 50% of your pizza you have left). Sciatica is the most common nerve group to be pinched by a lower back injury. At the time, the VA ordered x-rays and did not note any abnormalities, but they didn't look at soft tissue with an MRI. Various diagnostic codes will tell the VA which I was rated for my lower back at 10% from 2002. Or check it out in the app stores Been a long time since I had to deal with va ratings so this info might be wrong but back issues have/had a max rating of 40% and it pretty much exclusively is rated off your range of motion bending The problem with low ratings of back pain Almost 20 years ago I was granted a 10% rating for Lumbar Strain. One of my ratings is Lumbar Strain (10%, kinda think it was low balled but whatever). Rating is now ptsd with bipolar disorder. I rate mental health claims every day, and I haven’t rated a single one at 100% in a couple of months. Triggered me hard. I was 10% for over 15 years but I got to the point I could barely walk. Rating in Effect Five Years or More If you have had the same rating for five or more years, the VA cannot reduce your rating unless your condition has improved on a sustained basis. Reddit has a low limit of images that can be hosted natively on the back end. You want to layer radiculopathy on with a lower back rating in that area to get the maximum rating but it doesn't have to be in order to get it. My VA claim for migraines secondary to ptsd was denied, because the rater stated that I also have sinusitis, 50% rating for this as well, and also neck injury, VA denied, and they stated that my migraines are also caused Same if things have gotten worse, the VA will adjust your rating to reflect the most accurate reading of your issues. I suspect that VA was not financially prepared for the number of claims and However, if you are service connected for lower back strain, or lower back pain, the VA will view at as more a muscular issue. It’s extremely unlikely, almost impossible, that they would lower your rating when you are only at 10%. Like who tf. I believe the VA has to go with the higher rating if Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. I took pain medication went to psychical therapyI even tried acupuncture. Everyone experiences it differently and as such, each case is pretty unique. ADMIN MOD Mid-Low Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) C&P Exam Tips/Advice? C&P Exams . Good afternoon guys. That showed so much more of the damage going on in my discs, and ultimately it was what helped me with my rating. Just a simple question. Sort by: Best. If a veteran cannot adjust to a CPAP machine then what? The VA has no justification to change the rating for the vet, since the symptoms remain. The back can also be rated separately with degenerative disc disease and bulging discs. There's two ways to get s rating for your back. I wasn’t worried about my rating going lower because I am actually disabled, but I did want my record to reflect. There's a thing called ginometer(probably spelled it wrong) they'll use to measure your mobility. File your claim and tell them which VA location gave you your diagnosis. From experience, I never realized how much my back injury had negatively affected my marriage, my self-esteem, friendships, social fatigue, etc. stop bending my back when i feel the pain. No, I was prescribed medicine and took it for 3 months with no effect, then at my 3 month checkup at my doctors appointment I told him I don’t want the medicine anymore I wanted to try other alternative paths before going back to medication, he still gave me a different prescription and told me it’s there if you want to try it, and the VA See a LOT posts on here for proposals to reduce, usually MH rating, not just because they filed for an increase etcetera. My left leg has numbness at all times between the hip and knee. But because I didn’t get seen for it until recently, the examiner said “Any subjective complaints of headaches that the Veteran currently has represent separate and distinct headache symptoms that are not caused by, secondary to, or aggravated by any in-service exposures or claimed/service-connected conditions. Moreover, when i look up my neck hurt too. It didn’t bring up anything. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial 3 years ago, VA gave me 10% rating for my back. Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. So in short I was only reevaluated once over the yrs by the VA. That’s why I think the C&P examiners didn’t measure what’s needed to be measured or didn’t ask the right questions. LHI clown ordered one for c&p and the report said “no findings” and k was denied. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial 38 CFR 4. Am thinking of filing a secondary claim for neck pain. VA claim for migraines secondary to ptsd was denied. Needless to say I would like to request HLR once I get my notification letter to This is a subreddit for news, sites, information and events that may interest veterans. In conclusion, the proposed change to the VA rating rule would harm veterans with mental health conditions by failing to capture the full scope of their disabilities. My back and PTSD were raised and nerve damage was added. PTSD ratings aren’t an everyone will fit into the pre-defined rating category situation. If the examiner marked positive for straight leg test results, yes for "radicular pain or any other symptoms due to radiculopathy", Mild & Moderate for intermittent pain and numbness, Left & Right for "involvement of L5/S1 nerve root" etc should the DRO see this during their review and aromatically put in for secondary They can lower it if you file an increase. The VBA (benefits side) is not allowed to pull records from the VA Healthcare at random, it is only in the case of a reevaluation or additional claim that your medical records from the Healthcare side would come into play. A lumbosacral strain can make it challenging to perform everyday tasks such as walking, sitting, standing, or lifting. PYRAMIDING NOTE: When there is an award based on pain with motion with movement of the knee. Meds alone shouldn't, especially if your condition is static. Mental health conditions often require ongoing treatment adjustments and monitoring, and symptoms can resurface or worsen, impacting the veteran’s quality of life and employability. M51. Got out in 2013, crashed my motorcycle in 2017. There is nothing in the M21 or CFR manuals that state if your not receiving treatment that means you are getting better and they will reduce you. Two years ago I started having serious problems with my back painthat would not respond to medicationtreatment that did not work. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial 988 Press 1 Call or Text or Chat I think I forgot to add the two lower extremity sciatic nerve (left/right) as a bilateral factor. Reply reply Can the VA take away your rating for I have back issues and radiculopathy which I think will be rated soon. If you feel your current disability more closely matches a higher rating after reading what that entails in the rating schedule, then start gathering evidence Not to sound nutty but after your back rating and treatment is in motion, I’d recommend speaking to a mental health professional about the mind aspects of it. Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now No, I've seen people with a lower back rating of 10% get it. If it isn’t in service record data. Open comment sort options I'm worried they will try to use it as an excuse to not give me the rating I want. Makes it more difficult for them to link the secondary conditions because that doesn't necessarily mean there is an issue with the nerves causing the sciatica, (in the VA's eyes, not mine). 38 CFR 4. . As a sidenote, today after laying on my stomach, my right knee, locked up for the first time since before my knee surgery in 1997 as I have a recurrent tear of my medial meniscus that was documented on MRI in 2000 which gave One rating for thoracic/lumbar spine a second rating if you have issues with your cervical spine. My left leg and leg are always sleeping. Ratings for radiculopathy secondary to thoracic/lumbar spine or cervical spine. It was approved for 10% before I even got the claim recieved letter. (65%). I just got my initial rating today. 20% back with four secondary radiculopathy 10’s added. Would I get a C& P for just my neck/cervical strain or would it be another C&P for my entire back? Had a bad experience at a C&P exam first time around and had to appeal which is when I was able to get rated properly at 40%. Based on the language in the new program proposal, if the veteran use of the CPAP shows improvement, then they can reevaluate and lower the rating. As for maximizing, it’s going to depend on what the rater sees in your medical If anything, print out a sheet of paper with the angels drawn on it and see where you rate yourself so you know. I had a couple breakouts of cystic acne while on active duty, and had one large cyst form in a sensitive area on my face, which required multiple cortisone shots and eventually a 6 month Accutane prescription. My leg can go to 30% or be awarded 3 different awards separately. Rating criteria are public, you can easily look them up. Minimal to mild lower lumbar facet joint degeneration changes are suggested. Whichever rating is higher! Pain with Motion. 129K subscribers in the VeteransBenefits community. gov showing a lower rating than you have? Mine is showing conditions the same with same effective date but my rating is showing 10% less than it should be. Everything you need to get the Veteran's Benefits you earned and are I can barely walk normal, have constant pain in my right butt and hamstring, and can rarely bend over without extreme tightness and pain in my lower back. Arthritis is a chronic disease which may be presumptively link to your service. The VA will be looking to write off your back pain as simply a result of you getting older, or as something that is not due to the military. ended up getting blindsided with a proposal to reduce and denial despite letters from two different providers - one VA and one outside - (C&P outright lied Everything you need to get the Veteran's Benefits you earned and are entitled to. I still get that same advice. The original start date is 2012. put in for increases across the board and new presumptive (have full blown gulf war illness) in 2020 and was increased to 100% All ratings above were only for my mh not my other conditions. You want to explain your condition on your worst day. Is it where the pain starts or how far you are able to bend forward, sideways, etc? A ton of people are telling me to stop when Currently rated 20% for Lumbosacral Strain and Sprain, and 20% for Radiculopathy for Lower Left Extremity. There are a few things they said weren't service connected but are clearly in my STR in several places. This past December I finally filed for an increase and was risen A time I go I submited a claim for my 24/7 back pain, went to C&P and they just asked me from 1 to 10, how bad is the pain, told them I couldnt pin point a number because it was different everyday, but its there everyday, all day until I take some pills to make it better, but wont go away 100%, no MRI, no Xrays, they just sent me home, later I receibed the notification for a 10% Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. 71a under the "General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine" is what the VA uses to determine the level of compensation for the back. I started with an x-ray same from chiropractic care. The back however is one the VA will usually deny at first as service connected, unless you received the diagnosis on the back prior to exiting the service or you were specifically seen in the View community ranking In the Top 5% of largest communities on Reddit. Then they can only get ONE rating per section of their spine (neck or middle/lower back)! Example: lower back has a diagnosis of strain and DDD, middle back has a diagnosis of DDD, and neck has a diagnosis of DDD. I had no medical documentation except on my final physical I put that my back would hurt constantly anywhere from a 1 to 7 on the pain scale depending on what I did the day before. I agree with you. Thanks Do both. I tried to get an increase for my lower back as well but they said I needed new evidence. As of now, I am currently rated at 50% for lumbar/lower back pain (40%) due to forward flexion being limited to 30° or less and Tinnitus (10%). Thank you This action does two things. edu site (easiest to navigate) you will find the various back conditions and the chart for rating at 10%, 20%,. They didn't fight that. So the rating for the back condition (connected as a secondary to GERD (SC)🤦🏼‍♀️🤷‍♀️) was given after that C&P but radiculopahty was deferred. Someone told me, when i m taking the C&P exam. All of the radiculopathy rating are secondary ratings, lowers I got ratings 10-20%, uppers are 30-40%. I'll do this multiple times in a single minute and struggle to remain still. Only you and your doctors know what's up. I have 20% for each sciatic nerve as well. Had an MRI this week after going to the ER for excruciating back pain. In severe cases, lumbosacral strain can even prevent you from working or engagi Generally, VA disability ratings for back pain range from 10% to 100% and depend upon the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms, including Painful Motion, Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM), and Functional To assess VA disability for back problems, the VA most often uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine to evaluate them. Spine ratings aren’t based on any of the stuff you mentioned so you really don’t need additional imaging to file. I’m an active person as well, I lift regularly and run 10-15 miles a week You come on reddit seeking advice, get said advice, and then refuse to acknowledge the advice would work lol which is the VA rating "bible". I had a 40% rating for my back injury initially, filed a secondary claim , and was There is also something veterans need to make sure they know when it comes to be rated under 7804 - unstable/painful. This 100% rating will be paid to the end of the month that the Veteran was discharged in*. I made countless Vera appointments, contacted the VA, and reached out to many of you on here. By staying in the game and making sure you receive everything you rate you'll be getting the most you can for your family. So that helped me quite a bit. I went from a 90% rating to a 100% P&T rating. If your feet are in pain you might be experiencing moderate to severe symptoms on the DBQ, but your feet pain will not be rated separately as another disability 10+10+10+10 in Va Math is 34 or 30% your cervical spine is your neck your lower lumbar is your lower back your thoracic spine is middle back, the VA does combine the lower with the middle terming it lumbar thoracic, I have 10 for arthritis of my cervical with radiculopathy at 40% you know if you have the later as you will feel numbness down your arm and into your fingers, I also The diagnosis for your back doesn’t mean anything with the exception of intervertebral disc syndrome as we can rate based on incapacitating episodes instead of range of motion, or ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine as it’s automatically rated higher than range of motion (though admittedly your range of motion is bad if the ankylosis is that bad). Back DBQ came back favorable for the medical opinion. Feel free to message me if you have any questions This was a VA examiner. I already got rated 40% for my back a couple months ago. View community ranking In the Top 5% of largest communities on Reddit. I also had second claim in for my back. Especially if the diagnostic code on the rating schedule is rated differently. A big shout out to u/grunt2-9 who was a tremendous help along the way. I had a rater give me 20% for my three scars because they did not understand that they should have been rated separately. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial Medical evidence is the key. 16 Radiculopathy, lumbar region The pain radiates down both legs with toes being numb. Yes and yes, they will use the whole DBQ. The femoral nerve group is another one AND can be rated separately from sciatica which is why some veteran have 2 radiculopathy ratings per limb. Back pain and sciatica has been getting worse, and finally had an MRI, which identified two protruding discs (L4-L5, and L5-S1), encroaching on the right traversing S1 nerve root. I was recently rated at 40% for degenerative disk (Lower back) and rated 20% sciatica. That one is now in docket for veteran board of appeals. I would advise getting a copy Most of you know the VA has proposed changing the sleep apnea percentage from the current 50% to 10% or 0%. 71a to evaluate back conditions, including low back pain. With new evidence. A current doctor connecting it to service will help. Hey all, Am rated for my back lumbar and DDD at 40%. Both upper and lower conditions were declared bilateral 20/20/20/20/20. Search for "Range of Motion" on the page to find the Talk to your doctor if you have pain, numbness or weakness in your extremities. I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps last June after 4 years in arty. I can feel the sharp pain already. To fight a proposal to reduce you have to prove two things. Had to get spinal fusion surgery one year after exiting the military. He wrote a NEXUS letter to the VA for me stating what he is treating and how it’s related to I filed for cancer residuals. I get 4316$ a month smc s and k Keep in mind that the VA can call you back in for another C&P and rate you lower or even deem you cured and take everything away. We ban and do not look back. Right now, my back is getting worse. Your lower back could hurt so bad with constant flare ups and get a 10% rating. Even if the flare up is rare, if it happens and is service connected, veterans should get a disability rating for it. Honestly didn't do it for years because of other veterans telling me they could lower my rating. But since VA is saying that the back injury is affecting both my left and right side lower extremity, I see that you need to add bilateral factor on it. So make sure your at your worst for the back motion test and inform them of the pain down both legs. When i bend my back for abit. Also, I uploaded my personal statement with military medical record dates, private medical record file names and a paragraph about how my life is affected (based on the rating schedule and DBQ). Medical records showed an event occurred and amended my appeal. I mean if your condition with your back has gotten worse and you are experiencing the radiculopathy then file for both absolutely. MRI with detailed report of back issues, pain management through va comm care, and a supplemental claim c&p exam . If the VA looks at my claims they could go “huh. I had a 70% rating. DDD, OA, etc for lower back would be lumped as one rating - based primarialy on RoM. Can I receive multiple ratings for all my lower back diagnoses, or is it purely based on ROM? Are all my diagnosis different words to describe the same condition, and will the VA just cap it at 40%? I intend to file for PTSD, SI, GAD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. If you’re low back is messed up, then it directly affects all the rest going up. ” So I got a VA PCP and went to an appointment, the doctor had x-rays done. Unless of course you go out of your way to try to get reduced like sending letters to the VA to "plz reduce me cuz I'm so much better on my meds" and going to your VA doctor and saying how you're a new person and have zero MH symptoms at all cuz of how effective SSRIs are etc. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial 988 Press 1 Call or Text or Chat The C&P exam asks about radiculopathy but I ended up adding a separate claim for radiculopathy in lower extremities. I've almost never complained about this problem when I was active and mostly Almost 20 years ago I was granted a 10% rating for Lumbar Strain. New Proposed VA Rating System For Mental Health (Document Number: 2022-02051) VA Disability Claims . If your pain caused additional range of motion loss or possibly radiculopathy you might get a greater percentage. You will get better results thru secondaries than trying to go from 10% to 20% for your back. Service connection for low back condition is denied since the condition neither occurred in nor was caused by service. I sent two secure messages, one to my PCP and another to the VA patient advocate office explaining what happened. My back was extremely tight at the time, and my examiner actually made a comment about how tight it was (she had her hand on my lower back). I hope this helps! VA Disability for Back Pain General Rating Schedule Is Back Pain a VA disability? Yes, Back Pain is a VA disability. Radiculopathy is only rated for upper or lower extremity. Both are Service Connected. So in this case, you eat 50% of your remaining pizza (your 50% rating for lower back), leaving you with 25% remaining (a 75% rating in this case that rounds up to 80%). Don't be surprised why the majority of Veterans don't go to the VA - it's not a lack of knowing what benefits exist, it's because they rightfully shouldn't. My lower back just hurts all the time, even after physical therapy. It showed a herniated disc and degenerative disc disease. I ETS’d back in June of 2021. I was hesitant to do it, because I never had any hip pain or hip issues while I was serving. If I'm reading things correctly, the VA will only give me one rating for lower back issues. Even though they add to the correct rating and nothing has changed. Won one appeal not related to incident, bumper rating to 60%, other three denied. I’ve opened so many new claims and never got reductions on anything. There is a strong misconception that VA raters are actively searching for veterans to reduce ratings. . While I would have liked to include a lot more pictures. He went above and beyond explaining things to me and really helped me clear obstacles in a much a shorter time frame. I feel this is being done for 2 reasons. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial MRI thru VA healthcare on my lower back diagnosed me w/ Degenerative Disc Disease, but VES (claims) evaluator says it's Piriformis, despite evidence VA Disability I have had chronic pain in my L5 area for 14+ years, with some sciatica. 30 degrees flexion should I'm looking to file a VA claim for my lower back pain that I've sustained when I was training during active duty. I received the results back from the x-rays which are, Lower back: Few levels with minimal spondylosis. Its a plus, that your having all of back issues documented and that should help with your claim. I saw another VA doctor again in 2013, but this time I requested an MRI to be done. Your disability benefits are paid thru via the VBA. If a veteran were to have a good disability rating, can the VA take it away? Actually, wiped all social media unless you consider Reddit. For an increase, you should look at the rating schedule so you can understand the range of motion limits that are required. Let's get started! Members Online • herald_of_stars. Their rating is determined most commonly by assessing your range of Greetings I was recently rated and got an increase rating for Lower Back and Bilateral Lower Leg Radiculopathy from 10% to 20%. And that reason IS The VA. I also made a Master Condition List to help people find conditions without having to navigate the But really just collect everything. Is this 20% down each leg or 10%? It is very vague in the rating schedule. Lower extremities are rated separately. Remember the VA systems were programmed by the lowest bidder and no mater how sweet the tool is, it can only show the Coming from experience, act early and go for the throat. I had a physician push my lower back down too and I pushed him lol. To my understanding each leg (or extremity) is individually rated and separate from the back. File the increase and for the secondary in the same claim, reason why, if you file for an increase they will do an exam, once that claim is done then you file a secondary, radiculopathy, they are going to re-exam your back anyways since you It doesn't add up that if you have pain with all movement, that you have 20% That said, I believe all back issues get lumped by area for a rating. I don't recall my ROM, but I ended up being rated at 40%, which I understand is very high. You need to file a whole new claim, secondary to your back pain if your back pain is service connected, or secondary to a service connected condition (medication being the bridge). Then it can establish a routine future exam for the back to be reevaluated once you have recovered. I got 30%; it is what it is I guess. I have the following diagnosis for my lower back of which I will be filing once I get my nexus letters. I just got the If a Veteran has multiple conditions (DDD, Strain, etc) that affect the same section of spine (neck or middle/lower back). If you are visiting r/veterans for the first time please I filed for back increase instead they gave me a secondary rating for radiculopathy (static) no nexus it was through LHI and deferred my back increase so I then kept seeking treatments at the va then filed for an appeal; higher level review. Since you are already SC for your low back (for VBA that segment includes the mid and low back, aka the thoracolumbar spine) the next rating up is 20%. 36 Other intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar region M47. 10 votes, 43 comments. Get with your VSO and see if you can fight the ROM vs pain. Lower back issues can fuck with a lot lower body issues. You need to review the VA rating schedule and determine if a larger % rating for your hips is warranted. she hasn’t been complaining or seeking treatment about her back painMUST be better!” And reduce me. I have behavioral health documentation and diagnosis for all these conditions. People get nervous and forget what to say or they feel guilty and underplay their symptoms. It doesn’t matter what the cause of the spine disabilities, all ratings are based on range of motion or irregular spinal curvature. It makes VBA determine if you are entitled to SMC while you are recovering. I was granted 10% as a secondary to my lower The Veteran will get a single rating for the ROM or Miscellaneous rating. My highest rating is for PTSD. I haven't been able to feel my right foot/lower calf in more than a few months because my right hip is acting up. I’ve definitely proposed reductions and made reductions from 70% to a lower evaluation, and I’ve also awarded TDIU based on 70% evaluations, which I’m not factoring in here as their overall mental health evaluation is still at 70%. Probable mild decrease in L5-S1 disc space. What causes the VA to look at your case again is complex, most commonly a periodic re-evaluation (average 3-5 years, but some never) or you filing new claims/claim for This past spring I received a rating for my lower back pain, which they chalked up to a "lumbosacral sprain" with a 10% rating. Veteran Crisis Hotline Dial It was originally filed secondary to your service connected PTSD, and poorly (I have seen OSA granted secondary to PTSD). Lower back for simply not leaning forward past 30 degrees with their test is an automatic 40%. I sent them all the treatment records from the 16 months of One of these is for lower extremity radiculopathy due to back problems (secondary due to a pinched nerve), and this is the topic of the post. At the time, the VA ordered x-rays and did not note any abnormalities, but they Veterans may be at an elevated risk of a lumbosacral strain due to physical stress, overuse, and injury sustained while serving. When she told me to rotate my body forward, I basically went until I touched my toes, through the pain. He said he was given an actual paper that stated “shaving profile” and he needed to have this form on him at all times otherwise they would have made him shave. So I’m sitting at 90% right now. If you google "38 CFR (condition) Lower Back" then find the law. izjfcsj pmncby qcrin irgafgw ryonx ughksga twpe ekjyte kdvwqfsv zjmanjm