An administrative separation can happen because of a minor offense to more serious offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), such as refusing to comply with the 2021 Covid-19 vaccine mandate. Sciatica can be caused by a variety of things, including herniated discs, bone spurs, and pregnancy. Sciatica usually happens when the sciatic nerve compresses. A buddy statement can go a long way as we add it to your evidence. Already working with us? This article may contain links from our advertisers. Enter your information to join our mailing list. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Now, using the combined rating table above, we'd start with the 21% rating and the 30% rating. Consider contacting an experienced disability attorney (or a non-attorney representative) to help you with your application. Sciatica is a condition that can be caused by a herniated disc in the lower back. If your mom remembers a before and after, have her talk to our staff to write up a lay statement to back your case. In general, VA recommends that criteria be developed to determine whether neurological impairment is mild, moderate, or severe in a patient with spine impairment. A service-connected condition means an illness or injury that was caused byor got worse because ofyour active military service. Sexual Orientation (Dont Ask, Dont Tell). He is passionate about helping his patients achieve the best possible outcome and is committed to providing the highest quality of care. If you have a disability due to sciatica, consult your doctor about any limitations that may exist. A variety of back problems can lead to a type of leg injury known as sciatica. So, start at the bottom and work your way up. How the SSA will use your RFC. Some examples of actions that could lead to an other than honorable discharge include security violations, use of violence, conviction by a civilian court with a sentence including prison time or being found guilty of adultery in a divorce hearing (this list is not a definitive list; these are only examples). You may also hear a herniated disc called a slipped disc. Any place along your sciatic nerve may be compressed, inflamed, irritated, or stretched. All Rights Reserved. His eBook, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, has been downloaded more than 300,000 times. of Defense or any governmental entity. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. This is because it can offer valuable information on the causes of your problem. To understand which of the three classifications your sciatica falls under, look to the sciatic nerve itself. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The job of your discs is to keep the bones in your spine together while protecting them. Thank you Both! However, the condition is generally rated anywhere from 0 to 100% depending on the severity of the damage. When the spine becomes bulded, either as a result of natural degeneration or as a result of physical injury, the disc is damaged. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. When in doubt, check with your human resources office. Military Discharge Upgrades Knowledge is Power. Herniation occurs when the fibrous ring around the disc ruptures and the inner nucleus of the disc is pushed out. Symptoms include pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg. Veterans are free to seek employment after receiving disability compensation, and they have no restrictions on doing so. You may also need one or more of these documents so you can get other benefits. For many people, sciatica can be treated effectively and the symptoms resolve. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. The sciatic nerve, which runs through the back of the thigh, is frequently compressed. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body, although it can affect both. Sciatica is not a direct diagnosis of the problem. This results in inflammation, pain, and usually some numbness in the affected leg. Getting awarded disability benefits due to sciatica can be challenging and time-consuming if you're doing it on your own. If you are suffering from chronic sciatica, a chronic condition, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The veterans diagnosis of a schedular rating of limitations on motion of the lumbosacral spine is used to calculate this rating. A medical nexus, or a link between your service and the injuries, illnesses, or events that occurred during your service, also requires VA approval. Be as specific as possible so the agency can get a vivid picture of the ways your sciatica limits you. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy. A sciatica condition occurs when pain and numbness travel down the leg from the lower back. The leading causes: OA and back pain. What is a herniated disc? If you believe you are disabled, you can provide documentation from your doctor stating that you are currently unable to work due to peripheral nerve damage. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Apply heat on your back or leg for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. The agency will sometimes pay for you to have an X-ray, but not more advanced imaging techniques. A partial paralysis has the potential to cause compromised blood flow, limited functional abilities, and muscle wasting. This rating is based on a scale of one to ten, with one being the best and ten being the worst. There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the individual case. If you think you injured yourself during your time in service, try to make some notes. How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? Within your spine, disks sit between your vertebrae. Time in a military prison usually precedes a BCD. How the Pentagon is dealing with the intel leak impact. Your rights will depend on how many years of service you have. The VA uses a general rating formula that considers the degree of flexion you have in both your cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine. Scoliosis is a condition that arises when the spine has an abnormal curvature. Reggie Moore is a US Navy Veteran who served one enlistment. Veterans with certain diseases that presented themselves after discharge from military service may be eligible for disability compensation. The SSA will want to see evidence that your pain is intense enough to require medical attention. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a0c4c95030e954fe7a2d90d05ad523f9" );document.getElementById("e335739449").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Editorial Disclosure: Editorial content on The Military Wallet may include opinions. If any of your buddies are around to remember it or talk about it, get their input too. The sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips, buttocks, and down your legs, is responsible for the pain in sciatica. (Here you can download a free form for your doctor to complete). Paralysis of the sciatic nerve is caused by paralysis in one million veterans who served in the military. Due to legal issues surrounding equal employment opportunities and related laws, employers shouldnt ask what type of discharge a military veteran received, unless its about a security clearance or the applicants qualification for veterans preference points. To receive a general discharge from the military, there has to be some form of nonjudicial punishment to correct unacceptable military behavior or failure to meet military standards. When applying for VA benefits for sciatica and related conditions, certain principles apply. The Social Security Administration will usually not consider sciatica to be a disability unless it causes significant pain. The type of military discharge a veteran receives will be listed on their DD-214 military discharge paperwork. There is no definitive answer when it comes to the Veterans Affairs (VA) rating for nerve damage in legs. Sciatica occurs when the pressure on the spinal nerve results in pain developing on the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Go to physical or occupational therapy as directed. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE BENEFITS YOU DESERVE. If you have a current physical or mental disability or an event that occurred while you were active-duty, you must provide proof. When a muscle or bone presses on the sciatic nerve, it is frequently referred to as sciatica. Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, is a nerve condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated in some way, and pain radiates down the nerve. The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a partner the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of The Military Wallet. Additionally, a 50% rating for complete thoracolumbar spine stiffening and a 40% rating for the stiffening of the whole cervical spine are possible. In your physical exam, a health professional will look at your spinal range of motion, your balance, and posture. This guide explains the difference among these types of military discharge ratings. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. What type of veterans benefits am I entitled to with a general medical discharge? You may be able to reenlist in the same or different branch of service, or enter federal service if you received an honorable discharge. For more information on how to apply, contact the VA in Vermont, or for information on accredited service officers. Thats because if your sciatica results in limited motion, you can only receive one rating for it. Brian Reese founded VA Claims Insider and Military Disability Made Easy, both of which specialize in claims processing. To understand the causes of your sciatica, the first stage of the examination will involve you giving a complete history of your pain and symptoms relating to the issue. This is when the nerve cannot function at all. Please complete this form to send us your message. The sciatic nerve branches from your lower back through your hips, buttocks, and down each leg. It is generally used when the service member's conduct results in punishment for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Incapacitating episodes have a maximum duration of at least 4 weeks and have been less than 6 weeks in the previous 12 months. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation they deserve. First, let's talk about the spine. Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. If youre trying to have your discharge upgraded you should seek legal assistance. Ryan Guina is The Military Wallets founder. This can be demonstrated by muscular atrophy, poor blood circulation, and limited movement of the affected body part. Our team of experts, doctors, and orthopedic specialists are here to share their knowledge and experience with you in order to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. Those who receive Non-Service Connected Pension can also work part-time if their income does not exceed the programs income cap. Once you grant SSA permission, you will be given progress notes from your doctors. MORE: Unleash the Full Potential of Your VA Home Loan Benefits. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Your commanders opinion does not assure the boards decision. If a disabled veterans spouse or child dies, the surviving spouse or child may be eligible for benefits such as pensions and education. It is usually best to keep the line of questioning centered around the job applicants experience and qualifications. Separations can be voluntary or involuntary and may leave additional unfulfilled military service obligations that the service member will need to carry out in the Individual Ready Reserve. Bailey says a fellow Guard member raped her. The Military Wallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. After surgery and testing, the PEB/MEB determined that I would be unfit to continue military service. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors opinions or evaluations. Security violations, arrest and conviction by civilian authorities, assault, abuse of authority, and drug violations are all examples of the type of conduct warranting an Other . For Reservists, the condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify. The cause of sciatica, on the other hand, is not necessarily caused by a major back injury, such as a ruptured disc. The Military Wallet does not include all card companies or all available card offers. He is the founder and main author of brandonorthopedics.com, a website that offers valuable resources, tips, and advice for patients looking to learn more about orthopedic treatments and physiotherapy. If you have chronic sciatica, your RFC will include physical limitations on: Your RFC nearly always mentions how long you can sit. The required information to rank your condition must be recorded by the physician in your exam correctly. Dishonorable Discharge -- Given as a punishment for a serious offense. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Social Security will want to see that you've been getting regular medical treatment for your lower back pain or weakness in your legs. B. If your medical records show signs of a disease such as spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, or piriformis syndrome, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may consider you to be disabled if your sciatica is severe enough to qualify for disability benefits. Likewise, a member might not be able to reenlist or enter a different branch of the service. However, its important to note that if a mental disorder or another condition is present thats additional to the sciatica condition (and not caused by it), then that problem can also be rated. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body, although it can affect both. Military members who receive a dishonorable discharge forfeit all military and veterans benefits and may have a difficult time finding work in the civilian sector. That is only the average, but even if you start applying with a 10% now, youll be in great shape to increase your rating to 60% later. You should schedule a medical appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have sciatica. As we mentioned earlier, sciatica is caused by the irritation of the roots of the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine, which can result from several physical activities. Finally, you must demonstrate that the pain in your back is a direct result of the event, injury, or illness. If you have questions about Veteran programs offered through or by the Dept. If your sciatica is severe, you may also have to take an orthopedic exam. To relieve the pain and restore function to the affected area, these treatments are used. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability benefits to veterans who suffer service-connected injuries. He and his wife have a real estate business. Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs. June 29, 2022. Other types of military discharges include officer discharges, entry-level separations and medical discharges. To qualify for the next level up, you need to meet all the criteria of one category. If your pain is severe enough for you to require medical attention, the SSA will examine it. An officially filed memorandum of reprimand. Symptoms of moderately severe, moderate, and mild sciatic neuritis can be given a range of ratings including 40, 20, and 10 percent. Veterans who developed scoliosis during their service may be eligible to receive VA disability benefits for their condition. If your numbness or pain interferes with your back or how your legs work, your pain will be classified as neuralgia. After leaving the Navy, Reggie became a car sales executive for over nine years. Murder and sexual assault are examples of situations that would result in a dishonorable discharge. Most applicants with sciatica don't meet the strict criteria for a finding of "medical disability." Virtually all veterans benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. The .gov means its official. But for others, compression of the sciatic nerve causes lumbar radiculopathyweakness and loss of feeling in the legs. You will be limited to no more than two hours of standing and sitting per day if you have chronic sciatica, according to your RFC. He is not a Purple Heart recipient. Hello. The SSA values the opinions of doctors who can shed light on your restrictions. Because the deformation in the disc can protrude into the spinal canal, it can press on nerves. Repeated misconduct, which includes two or more minor disciplinary actions. The severity of the pain can be determined using a scale ranging from 1 to 10. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second largest federal agency, trailing only the Department of Defense. Any opinions are those of the author alone, and not those of an advertiser to the site nor of The Military Wallet. A disabled veteran is someone who has applied for and been approved for VA disability benefits. Numbness or tingling in your buttocks and legs. The decision to medically discharge a person with scoliosis is made on a case-by-case basis. Regardless of what state you live in, its important that veterans pursue the monthly compensation payments due them for disabilities connected to their military service. These discs act as shock absorbers and is what lets you move around with ease. Here at Woods and Woods VA Disability Lawyers, weve been helping veterans gain the VA rating they deserve for years and we have the skill and experience to help you gain the support you need. Rick Basiliere. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It follows a pattern of significant departure from behavior, omission, or conduct expected of military members. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Unlike the Social Security Administration, which can either find you disabled or not disabled, the VA assigns disability ratings depending on the severity of your condition and how much of the impairment was a result of your service. Administrative Discharges For those who receive an administrative discharge there are four: 1. His background is in search and rescue and navigation as an Operations Specialist. is a condition that affects the lower back and leg. A person with scoliosis can be medically discharged from the military if the curvature of the spine is severe enough to cause pain or other health problems. However, when your command makes an effort to involuntarily separate you through a non-judicial process, it is called an administrative separation. If you are applying for SSI or SSDI, we recommend that you work with your local Area Agency on Aging. The majority of cases of sciatica resolve themselves within a few weeks with treatment, but people who have severe symptoms or debilitating leg weakness may require surgery to resolve the problem. Sciatica (sy-AT-ik-uh) is the medical term for pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve in your lower back. Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) Discharge, How Military Discharge Information Should Be Used for Job Interviews, Unleash the Full Potential of Your VA Home Loan Benefits, Your Path to Homeownership Begins with a VA Loan, Discover the Power of a VA Loan for Veterans and Military Families, Veterans: Unlock Your Homebuying Dreams with a VA Loan, Learn More About VA Loan Opportunities for Active Duty Military, more information about military discharge upgrades, Small-Business Loans for Military Veterans and Spouses. The latter is known asspinal stenosis. This discharge indicates whether military personnel left the service under favorable or unfavorable conditions, ultimately affecting their eligibility for veterans' benefits and reenlistment. The above information is an educational aid only. The problem with sciatica is that it is caused by a symptom of other spinal conditions, not a disease. Each branch of the VA has its own set of responsibilities, each serving its own set of veterans. Some servicemember, however, suffer from If I was discharged under other than honorable conditions, can I get my discharge upgraded? You must then submit the form to the Discharge Review Board of senior officers and noncommissioned officers within 15 years of your discharge. To be eligible, you must demonstrate that the condition is severe enough that you are unable to work. There are a variety of methods for determining the nature of the problem, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). By submitting a solid medical record, you can obtain a fair VA disability rating for a bulging disc. However, there is no automatic upgrade process. The combined rating for both knees is now 21%, and the VA will use 21% as the rating for those disabilities. Reggie also worked in launching and recovering F-18 Superhornets. You're not alone. Even if a veteran did not receive an honorable or general discharge, it doesnt necessarily mean they were discharged for bad conduct. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. Additionally, you might have sciatica if you're experiencing any of the following: Sciatica isn't actually a disease on its ownit's a symptom of other spinal conditions that can prevent you from working. It then runs down the back of your thigh, into your lower leg and foot. This is often the result of a herniated disk in the spine or an overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae. Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service : Form WD AGO 55 : Title : Honorable Discharge from The Army of the United States : Form WD AGO 755 : Title : Honorable Discharge, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps : Form Bureau of Investigation No. Well also look and see if you can apply for more than one to combine and increase your benefits. Welcome to Brandon Orthopedics! But the SSA can still find you disabled if you can show that your limitations prevent you from doing any full-time work. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. What your RFC might say. A disability rating of zero is not available for severe neuralgia. If youve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating or youre not sure how to get started reach out to us!
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