VA DISABILITY RATING FOR RADICULOPATHY AND BENEFITS
Radiculopathy is a medical condition that refer to a nerve root impingement
or damage, which results in tingling, numbness, and pain (often described as
sharp shooting pain). VA rates Radiculopathy as a secondary condition to
other back conditions, such as a slipped disc, back strain, etc. To claim VA
disability benefit for radiculopathy, a veteran is required to provide a service
connection. To prove this condition a veteran submits a current medical
diagnosis E.g., sciatica. Which was caused or made worse due to in-service
occurrences e.g., lifting heavy equipment, operating weapon, a fall, or training.
TYPES OF RADICULOPATHY Radiculopathy has different names and ratings specific to each segment of
the vertebral column. The most common are cervical radiculopathy, thoracic
radiculopathy, and lumbar radiculopathy, corresponding to the respective
segments of the vertebral column.
VA DISABILITY RATING CRITERIA OF RADICULOPATHY
RA medical assessment/exam and electromyography (EMG) serve as the
basis for confirming radiculopathy. Since radiculopathy is rated secondary to
a back problem e.g., spondylosis, spondylolisthesis or slipped disc, etc.
Before assigning a rating for Radiculopathy, VA first determines which nerve is
affected and how severe. A disability rating for different nerves is distinct and
uses different diagnostic codes. For a specific rating of a spinal nerve, the
severity is determined if the veteran is suffering.
PARALYSIS NEURITISNE
URALGIA
PARALYSIS
Paralysis indicates that all the nerve functions have been lost. It is further
categorized for different ratings as follows:
1. Complete paralysis: This is the most severe condition of Radiculopathy,
meaning that there are no functions of the nerve left.
2. Incomplete paralysis.
Severe incomplete paralysis: the nerve or nerves are partially paralyzed,resulting in muscle atrophy, and loss of motion. Severely limiting thenormal functionary of the body part.
Moderate incomplete paralysis: A Radiculopathy condition due toincomplete paralysis of a nerve resulting in the sensation of tingling,numbness, and pain, which significantly limits functioning is ratedmoderate.
Mild incomplete paralysis: A Radiculopathy condition is rated mild if it isassociated only with a sensation of tingling, numbness, and bearablepain.
NEURITIS
Inflammation of peripheral nerve which results in discomfort and loss of
normal functioning. Depending on the severity neuritis it is further classified
into
Severe neuritis: Neuritis is considered severe when it results in loss of reflexes, muscle atrophy, and loss of sensation
Moderate neuritis: When there are one or more symptoms of neuritisevident e.g., loss of sensation or atrophy of muscle that interfere withnormal functioning.
Mild neuritis: Neuritis is assigned a mild rating when there are one or moresymptoms, but it does not interfere significantly with the functioning of the body part
NEURALGIA
Neuralgia is a stabbing, burning, and often severe pain due to an irritated or
damaged nerve. It subs classification are.
Moderate neuralgia: if the symptom of neuralgia significantly interfereswith the functioning of the extremity it is assigned a moderate rating.
Mild neuralgia: neuralgia is assigned mild rating when tingling, numbnessand pain causes very little limitation of functioning of the body part.
Now let’s see how this criterion is used for rating different types of
Radiculopathy.
VADISABILITY RATING FOR CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY:
Complete paralysis of the upper, middle, and the lower cervical radicular
group is rated by 8510, 8511, and 8512 respectively.
Complete paralysis is indicated by loss of all shoulder and elbow movements,
but hand and wrist movements are intact. The VA rating ranges from 60%-
70%.
Ratings for incomplete paralysis are as under.
Severe 50% 40%
Moderate 40% 30%
Mild 20% 20%
Neuritis and neuralgia are rated in accordance with diagnostic codes 8610
and 8710 respectively.
VA DISABILITY RATINGS FOR THORACIC RADICULOPATHY:
Thoracic radiculopathy is the least prevalent, when present it follows a
dermatological (area of skin supplied by a nerve), causing pain and
numbness in that area.
The long thoracic nerve is more prone to damage resulting in the winged
scapula.
Paralysis of the long thoracic nerve is rated according to diagnostic code 8519,
complete paralysis results in the inability of raising the arm above shoulder
level and deformity of the scapula known as winged scapula. It is often rated as 20-30%
Incomplete paralysis of this nerve is rated as.
Severe 20%
Moderate 10%
Mild 0%
VADISABILITY RATINGS FOR LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY:
Diagnostic codes 8619 and 8719 correspond to neuritis and neuralgia.
Lumbar radiculopathy is the most prevalent type of radiculopathy in veterans,
e.g., sciatica.
The sciatic nerve’s paralysis is rated under diagnostic code 8520. Complete
paralysis sciatic results in foot drop marked atrophy of muscles and no active
movements possible below the knee, this condition corresponds to up to 80%
disability rating.
Incomplete paralysis fetches the following disability scores according to
severity.
Moderately severe 40%
Moderate 20%
Mild 10%
A disability ratings for neuritis and neuralgia are assigned in accordance with
8620 and 8720.
TYPES OF THE BILATERAL FACTOR
BENEFITS/ COMPENSATION:
The bilateral factor is applicable when radiculopathy affects both arms/legs.
In this case, VA assigns a disability rating for both sides separately and adds
an additional bilateral factor. Usually, 10%.
BENEFITS/ COMPENSATION:
A veteran’s degree of disability indicated by the disability rating correspond to
the monthly compensation he will receive. A veteran may also get a higher VA
disability compensation rate if he is at least 30% disabled and has a
dependent spouse, children, or parents. If a veteran’s spouse is also seriously
disabled, VA provides additional compensation too.
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