Veterans often experience back pain after their service. Depending on the severity, back disorders can severely impair a veteran’s ability to perform activities of daily living or perform work-related duties. One way to measure the limitations of back pain including favorable and unfavorable ankylosis is to measure a range of motion, as we can measure it by noticing it. If veterans can determine that their back pain is a result of military service, they may be eligible for VA disability benefits in the form of monthly compensation.
Back pain is the sixth most common medical condition among veterans, according to the VA’s FY18 Annual Performance Report. Most veterans face the problem of back pain. Gulf War veterans in particular are most affected by back problems. This pattern may be due to the length of the Gulf War and consequently . A large number of veterans within this group. Other contributing factors are a lack of physical training, heavy equipment, and proper footwear on duty.
How The VA Assesses Back Pain And Back Disorders Like Favorable And Unfavorable Ankylosis?
Back injuries are rated using the general grading formula for spinal disorders and injuries in the grading table. Consider ratings:
- Degree of flexion (ability to bend)
- An elderly person experiences unfavorable ankylosis (when the entire spine is fixed and movement is restricted) or favorable ankylosis (when the spinal segment is fixed in a neutral position).
- If the problem is in the thoracic spine (upper and middle part of the spine from the neck to the chest) or the cervical spine (neck region).
- 100% – Adverse ankylosis of the whole spine (i.e., joint stiffness due to abnormal adhesion and stiffness of the joint bones)
- 50% – Unfavorable ankylosis of the complete thoracolumbar spine
- 40% – Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or 30 degrees or less forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine; or corresponding ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine
- 30% – 15 degrees or less forward flexion of the cervical spine; or corresponding ankylosis of the entire cervical spine
- 20% – Forward flexion of the thoracic spine over 30 degrees, but not more than 60 degrees; or forward flexion of the cervical spine more than 15 degrees but not more than 30 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine does not exceed 120 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the cervical spine does not exceed 170 degrees; or muscle spasms or spasms severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reverse lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis
- 10% – Forward flexion of the thoracic spine not more than 60 degrees, but not more than 85 degrees; or forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not more than 40 degrees; or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not more than 235 degrees; or the combined range of motion of the cervical spine is more than 170 degrees but not more than 335 degrees; or muscle spasms, defenses, or local tenderness that does not result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour; or vertebral formation with 50 percent or more altitude loss.”
How To Qualify For VA Ratings For Back Pain?
The VA rates back pain problems based on how much of the spine or range of motion is affected.
In addition to movement stats and medical signs such as favorable and unfavorable ankylosis, the VA must consider the severity of a veteran’s loss of function. Loss of function refers to any impairment in a veteran’s ability to function due to a service-related back or neck injury. Alerting the VA to the severity of your loss of function may result in the VA assigning a higher rating.
Veterans may also not need to show actual medical signs of ankylosis. When a veteran’s condition requires neck or back support that can be considered the functional equivalent of ankylosis. For example, braces aid a veteran’s stability, but while wearing the brace. Their back may become stuck in an upright position. Which can be the functional equivalent of ankylosis.
VA also affects conditions related to back or neck disabilities. Neurological disabilities attributable to a veteran’s back or neck pain should receive a separate evaluation. Also, radiculopathy is a common neurological disability that results from back or neck injuries. VA also requires that bowel and bladder incontinence and disorder receive a separate assessment.
Are VA Benefits For Back Pain Permanent?
To determine whether a disability is permanent, or what is the solution to this problem a veteran needs medical records and reports that show the disability will not change or worsen for the rest of his life. Because these conditions are not usually considered permanent, the VA may schedule follow-up visits every few years to determine. The severity of the back or neck condition.