lumbosacral Multiple Back Conditions Rating Question

[add55p]

All

Will all of the below back disorders be rated under one diagnosis code by the VA?

These are all diagnosis listed on the VA C&P exam DBQ, but not yet decided.

1.Arthritis

2.Ankylosis spondylitis

3.Intervertebral disc syndrome

4.Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

5.Degenerative Scoliosis

6.Degenerative Disc Disease

7.Lumbosacral strain

8.Myogelosis

Thank you

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[Vync]

I believe arthritis will be a separate rating, but I'm not an arthritis rating expert.

The others will be combined. However, the cervical (neck) and the thoraco-lumbar segments (everything else) segments of the spine will be rated separately. The good news is that whatever highest rating you get will take precedence and be the rating % for that segment.

[jbasser]

The spine is broken down into two categories. First of all the ratings are broken down as this. The Cervical Spine is separate segment from the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine which are considered combined into one segment.

Traumatic Arthritis is usually the primary rating as the arthritis causes tears and ruptures of the disc's. This also can lead to nerve issues that are called radiculpathy. Each Vertabrate has a set of nerves that exit the spine and run to your muscles. For example, Cervical 2 or C2 effect the heartbeat and can be fatal. C3 effects the Diaphragms via the Phrenic nerve and can be life threatning. C4 /c5/c6 control the arms, shoulders, hands and a few other muscles. A good medicine book can go into more detail.

This is rateable up to 100 percent of the entire spine is ankylosed or fused. This is rated based on Range of motion of the neck or back regardless of your spine issues. The lower the range the higher the rating

The second rating is for Invertabral DIsc Syndrome. This is the rating given for spinal strains with no arthritis. It can be rated up to 60 percent if on bed rest for several hours per day.

The nerves effected by Traumatic Arthritis are to be rated secondary and not combined with the Traumatic Artritis rating. For example, You get 20 percent for Traumatic Arthritis and your left arm cramps and locks up. They do a EMG and NCS and fine a problem. You get that nerve rated also. Either as Neuritis or Neuralgia.

Title 38 cfr part 4 explains the rating criteria for the spine and I urge everyone that has neck of back issues to read. It will tell you what rating to expect.

Hope this helps.

JBasser

[add55p]

Vync and JBasser

Thank you both for the information.

I will take your leads and do some research as well.

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