[Secondary Condition to DDD]

On 1/15/2019 at 10:36 PM, acesup said:

Spine ratings themselves are pretty much based solely on Range of Motion measurements.  However, if you have nerve pain (radiculopathy) radiating from your service-connected spinal disability, you may have a strong case to be granted secondary or aggravation service connection for it. 

Have you asked your doctor and/or Physical Therapist their opinions?  Assuming that DDD in your C-spine segment is what you're currently rated for, it would just be a matter of getting medical confirmation, preferably from a doctor, (even better if a specialist), that a) you have radiculopathies and b) they are  "due to", "more likely than not likely", or "at least as likely or not" caused or aggravated by your service-connected disability.

 

I'm currently on nerve pain medication and was told if that doesn't get better I might have to freeze the nerve.  I'm going to try and go through the radiculopathy path for an increase.  My DDD rating for for my spine, but I have pain when I turn my head or raise my shoulders.

[Secondary Condition to DDD]

Is it possible to have a pain rating secondary to DDD?  Im currently being seen by my VA Doctor and going through PT for a service connected disability DDD.  I feel DDD 10% isn't enough from the pain i have in my neck, traps, and shoulder area.  Could i make secondary claims to my shoulders and traps and how could i service connect them?  I recently put in a claim and it get denied with not service connected.