Pyramiding Question

[BMCS00]

Hi All,

I am currently rated at 20% for degenerative disk disease, and 10% bilateral radiculopathy. Recently my DDD condition worsened, and I now have siatica, bilaterally, because of the disk degeneration at L4-L5 and L5-S1. It is worse in my left side, with tingling and nerve pain on a daily basis, depending on my level of activity. I have had MRI, and an epidural injection treatment, but that was not the end-all cure-all it was touted to be.

Is this a condition I can be rated for, or would it be considered pyramiding, since I am already rated for radiculopathy? At this point the sciatica pain and discomfort is greater than the radiculopathy. DAV couldn't give me a clear answer, and I don't want to be throwing darts in the dark, so to speak.

Thanks for all your help.

--Jim

[jbasser]

Hi All,

I am currently rated at 20% for degenerative disk disease, and 10% bilateral radiculopathy. Recently my DDD condition worsened, and I now have siatica, bilaterally, because of the disk degeneration at L4-L5 and L5-S1. It is worse in my left side, with tingling and nerve pain on a daily basis, depending on my level of activity. I have had MRI, and an epidural injection treatment, but that was not the end-all cure-all it was touted to be.

Is this a condition I can be rated for, or would it be considered pyramiding, since I am already rated for radiculopathy? At this point the sciatica pain and discomfort is greater than the radiculopathy. DAV couldn't give me a clear answer, and I don't want to be throwing darts in the dark, so to speak.

Thanks for all your help.

--Jim

Jim the regs are pretty clear. The regs state to rate the DDD under 12 criteria and the effect4d nerves under the other one. It depends if there are separate nerves but most likel;y they will rate a nerve group. It is rerally a crap shoot but they are supposed to take the more seriuos cindition and rate it. I can see you fliling for an increase of the raduculpathy and maybe even the back.

The Max rating for the back is 60 under IVDS (Dr Prescribed Bed Rest over a stated period of time).

Hope this helps.

J

Edited August 17, 2010 by jbasser

[brokensoldier244th]

Your sciatica and radiculopathy are part of the same thing, I think. They may be able to rate each affected nerve plexus, but what you are experiencing is already rated bilaterally at 10%-not everyone has the sciatic pain along with the radial numbness. They may up the rating to 20% but only if you have partial paralysis or foot drop. Ive seen the occasional rating for sciatica, but I don't know if it was independent of radiculopathy. *Clear as mud?* :-)

Your DDD could be rated higher, if your range of motion has diminished. No one prescribes bedrest anymore, though, so 40% is probably the highest you'd get there, unless you have anklyosis or fusions.

You could also look into issues with neurogenic (over or under active) bladder due to those disc/nerve junctures, and also issues with the 'little you' in the extracurricular activities department. There is a lot going on in that part of your back, nerve wise.

Good luck! Im rated 40% ddd and 10% radiculopathy right like, and currently claiming for svc connection in my left leg, and guy issues. I feel (literally) your pain.

Edited August 17, 2010 by brokensoldier244th

[*Bergie*]

Hi All,

I am currently rated at 20% for degenerative disk disease, and 10% bilateral radiculopathy. Recently my DDD condition worsened, and I now have siatica, bilaterally, because of the disk degeneration at L4-L5 and L5-S1. It is worse in my left side, with tingling and nerve pain on a daily basis, depending on my level of activity. I have had MRI, and an epidural injection treatment, but that was not the end-all cure-all it was touted to be.

Is this a condition I can be rated for, or would it be considered pyramiding, since I am already rated for radiculopathy? At this point the sciatica pain and discomfort is greater than the radiculopathy. DAV couldn't give me a clear answer, and I don't want to be throwing darts in the dark, so to speak.

Thanks for all your help.

--Jim

You will need to determine what nerve root the radiculopathy is rated for. Their are many nerve roots and the sciatic is one of them. I recommend you obtain a copy of your c&p exam that awarded the radiculopathy to determine the nerve root that was rated. Also, I recommend you see a neurologist who can better identify what's going on and recommend treatment options.

JMO,

Bergie

[john999]

You could be rated for chronic pain disorder and depression. I think I would go very slow if they want to cut on you.

The surgery can be a success and you may be on morphine the rest of your life anyway. What kind of pain meds do you

get? When they ask you to rate your pain tell them 8-10. You have to become a professional complainer. Everything the military tought you throw it away. Be a sissy and complain your head off about your pain. I do! Having a back

problem is a lot more than just ROM. I had the injections and it did not help. I have had three surgeries for SC problems and now all are worse.

[brokensoldier244th]

IF you go the chronic pain route you will have a better case if you are currently being seen for depression/pain mgt, rather than just saying 'you are depressed'

I second the no - cutting thing. I watched my mom get worse faster over the years after her surgery-id rather not have them go in adn then have to go in again in 5 years (my doc's words).

That complaining about everything is the worst. I keep a journal-not at regularly as I probably should, but it goes back almost a year. It is specifically for 'how im feeling' and 'how my back/pain feels'.