Secondary Condition to DDD

[Jezzy]

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. 

[acesup]

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.

 

Edited January 16, 2019 by acesup

[Carl the Engineer]

acesup is correct on ROM (range of motion) being where its at for DDD or DJD.  10% for arthritis and or pain is pretty much the limit.  However, ROM can get you a higher percentage.  40%-60% if a doctor prescribes bed rest, which they do not do anymore, so you can see the VA regs are a little behind the 8-ball regards bed-rest.

That said, you do not state what joint (area) your service connected for for DDD?

I can tell you that I started out with 10% for arthritis tendinopathy for my right shoulder in 2009. 

Since then, I have gotten an increase for that to 20% for ROM, and as secondaries to that original right shoulder condition, I have received, right elbow 20% ROM, left shoulder 10% x-ray, cervical 20% ROM and lumbar 20% ROM.  

All, degenerative arthritis.  All diagnostic code 5003.

So, that one 10% which was up'd to a 20%, got me three additional 20%'s and a 10% as claimed secondaries.

Arthritis effects adjacent joints and opposite joint when overworked.

My percentage increase were slow in coming, just like the arthritis.  Which makes perfect sense to me.

Keep plugging along,

Hamslice

Here is a good article or ad for that matter regards service connected arthritis;

https://cck-law.com/news/arthritis-va-disability-claim/

Good luck....

 

 

[Jezzy]

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.

[broncovet]

"Pain" is a symptom, not a diagnosis.  If you feel lowballed, then file a NOD and appeal your rating.  Deluca vs Brown says that the VA has to consider pain in your rating. 

https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/TRAIN Courses/DMA/dma_GulfWar/lesson01/01_014.htm

and

https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000070971/DeLuca-v.-Brown,-Sep-22,-1995,-8-Vet.App.-202-(1995)

You may get a higher rating by appealing, arguing you meet the Deluca criteria, if you read this and think you qualify.