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If your spinal condition results in the development of a new disability or makes an existing disability worse, remember that you may be entitled to secondary service-connection for the new or aggravated disability. If radiculopathy is caused by a neck condition, the symptoms will be felt in the shoulder and can travel down the arm and into the hand. If radiculopathy is caused by a low back condition, the individuals will feel the symptoms in the lower extremities (thigh, calf, foot). Radiculopathy is caused by compressed nerves in the spine and results in pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the nerve. One of the most common conditions secondary to spinal conditions is radiculopathy. Spinal conditions are also known to sometimes cause nerve problems. People with spinal conditions like Degenerative Disc Disease and more also often change how they walk to compensate for the pain which can lead to even more orthopedic problems like issues with knee and hip problems. This could also lead to functional loss if the initial condition and pain is severe enough. For example, fractured and/or dislocated vertebrae frequently lead to pain and weakness in the arms, hips, shoulders, etc. Oftentimes, spinal conditions will cause other disabling conditions in a different body part that could qualify a veteran for an additional rating due to secondary service connection. Secondary Conditions Related to Back Pain Unfavorable means any position that is not 0 degrees in flexion or extension. unfavorable position.Ī favorable position means the range of motion measurement for flexion or extension is 0 degrees. In addition to the range of motion measurements, the general rating criteria for spinal involve whether the cervical and/or thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable vs. If a doctor doesn’t use a goniometer to measure your range of motion, the VA will not consider the results. Because the rating formula is almost entirely based on the VA’s range of motion chart and measurements, it’s important to make sure that a doctor performs a range of motion testing according to the VA’s chart as accurately as possible.Īlso, the VA requires that all range of motion measurements be taken with a goniometer. The cervical spine (neck) and the thoracolumbar spine (low back) are rated according to the following criteria: VA Rating Table for Back pain Ratingįlexion ≥45 degrees, OR combined Range of Motion ≥ 340 degreesįlexion ≥ 90 degrees, OR combined Range of Motion ≥ 240 degreesįlexion between 30 and 45 degrees, OR combined Range of Motion between 175 and 340 degreesįlexion between 60 and 90 degrees, OR combined Range of Motion between 125 and 240 degreesįlexion between 15 and 35 degrees, OR combined Range of Motion ≤ 170 degreesįlexion between 30 and 65 degrees, OR combined Range of Motion ≤ 120 degreesįlexion ≤ 15 degrees, OR entire cervical spine is frozen in a favorable positionĮntire cervical spine is frozen in an unfavorable positionįlexion ≤ 30 degrees, OR entire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in a favorable positionĮntire thoracolumbar spine is frozen in an unfavorable positionĮntire spine is frozen in an unfavorable positionĪs you can see, Range of Motion measurements plays a significant role in rating spinal conditions. The general rating formula that is used to rate the conditions listed above is mainly based on range of motion (ROM) measurements. Social Security Disability Benefits Guide.
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List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map).Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator.
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