But, if your limited motion is the result of something else, then you can be ranked for both your sciatica and your limited motion. Once it ends, then the 100% rating will be used for a certain timeframe. A bulging disc can occur due to the natural degeneration of a spinal disc or from physical injury. Social Security will then look at your RFC to determine if your current restrictions eliminate your ability to do all the jobs you've done in the past. Before being discharged, service members have the right to receive counseling or rehabilitation. PURPOSE OF MEDICAL DISCHARGE ON GROUNDS OF INJURY OR ILLNESS Each year thousands of servicemembers are injured while on duty. This could result in a 20 percent disability rating. The Veterans Affairs (VA) system uses a complicated schedule to rate disabilities, including sciatica. It is a complicated process. Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. The job of your discs is to keep the bones in your spine together while protecting them. The sciatic nerve, which runs through the back of the thigh, is frequently compressed. If the military considers a service members actions to be reprehensible, the general court-martial can determine if a dishonorable discharge is in order. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Honorable (CO) Discharge, the CO part I dont understand. in severe cases, bowel or bladder incontinence. The following conditions may disqualify you from military service: a. Esophagus. Sciatica is a condition that can be caused by a herniated disc in the lower back. Apply heat to help decrease pain and muscle spasms. We stay with you every step of the way during your application or appeal process. Any place along your sciatic nerve may be compressed, inflamed, irritated, or stretched. There is a risk of paralysis, so filing a VA claim is critical. Also called a Herniated Disc, this is the most common cause of sciatica. The Army has moved to discharge a sergeant that was convicted of murder on April 7 for killing an Air Force veteran during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. If a disabled veterans spouse or child dies, the surviving spouse or child may be eligible for benefits such as pensions and education. One of our VA disability lawyers talks about SMC and how you can actually get more than 100% of your VA disability benefit money. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Illinois Air National Guard. Thank you. Twenty-year-old Lance Cpl. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. Do You Need Help Determining Your Nerve Ratings? See what the upcoming Navy museum might . If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be granted a military discharge. NMLS ID 1907. There are also ratings of 30%, 20%, and 10% . This could help you gain a higher rating. Dishonorable Discharge -- Given as a punishment for a serious offense. I noticed that this was typed in Character of Separation Honorable (CO) Discharge What does that phrase mean? You must apply to have military discharges upgraded by downloading DD Form 293 Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States. When you have a disability, you have three options for connecting your disability to your military service. What is a herniated disc? However, when your command makes an effort to involuntarily separate you through a non-judicial process, it is called an administrative separation. Remember if you ever fell, what your daily activities included, and how those activities could hurt your back. Ideally, your medical record will contain one or more of the following objective findings: If you don't have any of the above documentation, set up an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Usually, sciatica only alters one side of the body. The greater the percentage of flexion you have in your spine after a diagnosis of . Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Medical Conditions - Eligibility for Disability Benefits, After You're Approved for Disability Benefits, Workers' Compensation Benefits Information, State-Specific Information for Workers Compensation, financial eligibility requirements for disability benefits, doctors haven't been able to find what's causing it, articles on how Social Security decides if you can work or are disabled, activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaire, Medical Conditions - Eligibility For Disability Benefits, After Youre Approved For Disability Benefits, State-Specific Information For Workers Compensation, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If your sciatica is severe, you may also have to take an orthopedic exam. Inability to meet weight, body composition or fitness standards. Make sure that you let your doctor know about any limitations you're having because of your sciatica pain. Sciatica (sy-AT-ik-uh) is the medical term for pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve in your lower back. Usually when someone commits a felony-level offense, either in the military or civilian jurisdiction. Visit your doctor as frequently as you can, and describe in specific terms the location and quality of your pain (for example, a dull throbbing in your legs, or a burning sensation in your hips). Separation from the military services (i.e., the Armed Forces, the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard) is a term that encompasses discharge, release from active duty, release from custody and control of the military services, transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve, and similar changes in active or reserve status. To understand which of the three classifications your sciatica falls under, look to the sciatic nerve itself. Finally, you must demonstrate that the pain in your back is a direct result of the event, injury, or illness. 6 : Title : Discharge certificate : Form Sciatica can be caused by a variety of things, including herniated discs, bone spurs, and pregnancy. In general, VA recommends that criteria be developed to determine whether neurological impairment is mild, moderate, or severe in a patient with spine impairment. Virtually all veterans benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct. A veteran is rated one out of five, implying they are not experiencing pain; two out of five indicates mild pain; three out of five indicates moderate pain; four out of five indicates severe pain; and Veterans can receive a disability rating of 40, 20, 10, or 5% as long as their pain is severe and the quality of their disability application is satisfactory. If you have sciatica, it is critical that you see a doctor as soon as possible. He is not a Purple Heart recipient. Both! A protruding disc may face obstacles in the VA disability rating process. If you dont have a service-related back condition, dont worry because you may still be able to get your sciatica service-connected. The sciatic nerve branches from your lower back through your hips, buttocks, and down each leg. Your commanders opinion does not assure the boards decision. In most cases, the higher the percentage, the more severe the damage is. is a condition that affects the lower back and leg. To begin the process of upgrading your discharge, go to How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade. This discharge indicates whether military personnel left the service under favorable or unfavorable conditions, ultimately affecting their eligibility for veterans' benefits and reenlistment. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully-developed claim (FDC) so you can increase your rating in less time! Any opinions are those of the author alone, and not those of an advertiser to the site nor of The Military Wallet. Montour received a bad-conduct discharge and was separated from the Air Force on June 18, 2001. Ensure that this occurs properly to make sure you receive a genuine rating. If you have difficulty concentrating because your mind is distracted by pain, you might tell the agency "I can't pay attention long enough to finish a TV show.". Some sit-down jobs do allow this type of flexibility with movement, but many don't. Honorable Discharge If you have questions of a specific nature consider consulting a financial professional, accountant or attorney to discuss. You should be aware of the factors that will be considered when determining the location of your symptoms, the movements that make pain worse, and what gives you relief. Find out which documents the NCA accepts. 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. Commissioned officers cannot receive bad conduct discharges or a dishonorable discharge, nor can they be reduced in rank by a court-martial. Reggie is thankful to God for being a servant in helping our veterans. Already working with us? The SSA values the opinions of doctors who can shed light on your restrictions. His eBook, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, has been downloaded more than 300,000 times. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. The decision to medically discharge a person with scoliosis is made on a case-by-case basis. When a muscle or bone presses on the sciatic nerve, it is frequently referred to as sciatica. Service connection or "service-connected" is the acknowledgement by VA that a veteran's current health condition is related to their military service. If your discharge was more than 15 years ago, you must request a change to your military records. The combined rating for both knees is now 21%, and the VA will use 21% as the rating for those disabilities. This rating is based on a scale of one to ten, with one being the best and ten being the worst. The SSA will want to see evidence that your pain is intense enough to require medical attention. You served you deserve. Rick Basiliere. I was given an ELS Discharge instead of a Medical Discharge on my DD214 Form. Please complete this form to send us your message. Repeated misconduct, which includes two or more minor disciplinary actions. Instead, its a precise way of describing the location of the pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be granted a military discharge. For example, you may ask them if they have military service, the period of their service, rank at time of separation, type of training, leadership, and work experience, qualifications and certifications and anything else relevant to the specific position for which they are applying. Sciatica occurs when there is pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve. Ryan started The Military Wallet in 2007 after separating from active duty military service and has been writing about financial, small business, and military benefits topics since then. 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. The VA Home Loan is one of the only home loans available today with no down payment required. There is a chance that sciatica will develop if either of these conditions are present. Well also look and see if you can apply for more than one to combine and increase your benefits. For more information on how to apply, contact the VA in Vermont, or for information on accredited service officers. It then runs down the back of your thigh, into your lower leg and foot. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Sciatica can make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time. So, start at the bottom and work your way up. If you have evidence of nerve root compression and think you might meet the requirements of one of the musculoskeletal listings, ask your doctor to provide a medical source statement explaining why you fit the listing criteria. This could offer a veteran a 60 percent disability rating for their sciatic nerve condition. The VA assigns a disability rating of 60 percent to you if your doctors prescribe you at least six weeks of bed rest as a result of a damaged disc. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. They include, but are not limited to: When a person is suffering from sciatica, they may also find that they experience: As mentioned, such symptoms usually affect one side of the body. First, let's talk about the spine. Advertising Notice: The Military Wallet and Three Creeks Media, its parent and affiliate companies, may receive compensation through advertising placements on The Military Wallet; For any rankings or lists on this site, The Military Wallet may receive compensation from the companies being ranked and this compensation may affect how, where and in what order products and companies appear in the rankings and lists. Lower back pain is the hallmark of sciatica. To be eligible, you must demonstrate that the condition is severe enough that you are unable to work. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the individual case. If you are applying for SSI or SSDI, we recommend that you work with your local Area Agency on Aging. Sciatica is usually diagnosed following a complete medical examination by a doctor. Slipped Disc. An estimated 7.8% of Americans will experience PTSD during their lives, with women (10.4%) twice as likely as men (5%) to develop PTSD. How Does the VA Rate Sciatica and Related Issues? Hey there, its hard to know for sure with old documents, but CO usually stands for conscientious objection on discharge paperwork. The VA offers two disability programs for veterans, which are listed below. Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs. You may be owed compensation. Keep reading to find out if you may be eligible. This includes certain diseases that were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, but which VA presumes are related to military service if shown to exist within a certain time period after service. Getting disability by meeting or equaling one of the listed impairments is difficult. 2. You might feel a dull, constant ache, or a sharp, stabbing jolt. These discs act as shock absorbers and is what lets you move around with ease. Symptoms include pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg. Fill out the short form below to contact us. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Many disabled veterans are not disabled by societys definition of disability, or by their own definition of disability. Editorial Disclosure: Editorial content on The Military Wallet may include opinions. Stick to numbers and quantities, like "I can walk for 15 minutes before I need to sit down." When dealing with a range of motion issue, you can receive a 100% disability rating for your back condition if you have stiffening of the entire spine. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, or as directed. Veterans who have been injured or sick while serving in the military and who have had an existing condition worsen as a result of their service are eligible for VA disability compensation (pay) monthly tax-free payments. Most active duty service members receive a military discharge before they leave the service. Furthermore, you must demonstrate that the back pain is related to a service-related injury, illness, or incident. Tip #3: Write strong personal statements Using 38 CFR Part 4 as your "north star." His background is in search and rescue and navigation as an Operations Specialist. Hello. What your RFC might say. About 3.6% of U.S. adults ages 18 to 54 (5.2 million people . Intel leak impact and why the Army discharges violent offenders | Defense News Weekly Full Episode. Symptoms include pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg. If you want to be buried in a national cemetery or get memorial items, youll need to show the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) proof of honorable active military service. Three Creeks Media, LLC 2023. A disabled veteran is someone who has applied for and been approved for VA disability benefits. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Chester Jones wasn't discharged, but he did lose a job he loved. Daniel . Muscle weakness, difficulty moving or controlling your leg or foot. Even if a veteran did not receive an honorable or general discharge, it doesnt necessarily mean they were discharged for bad conduct. In such cases, the physician or rating authorities can extend this period as necessary. Scoliosis occurs when the spine has a twist or a curve. When it comes to requesting benefits from the VA, sciatic nerve conditions such as sciatica are ranked in three different categories established on the degree of severity of symptoms. This pain is caused by compression of a nerve in the lower back. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! It follows a pattern of significant departure from behavior, omission, or conduct expected of military members. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. A discharge relieves the veteran from any future military service obligations, whereas an individual in the retired reserve may be called back to active duty. A VA rate for neurological conditions under 38 CFR part 4.124a is $414. The VA should give you the one that has the highest rating, if they only give you one. For many people, sciatica is a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as herniations of the disc or spinal stenosis. Featured In: Ryans writing has been featured in the following publications: Forbes, Military.com, US News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, Reserve & National Guard Magazine (print and online editions), Military Influencer Magazine, Cash Money Life, The Military Guide, USAA, Go Banking Rates, and many other publications. Reggie Moore is a US Navy Veteran who served one enlistment. Social Security wants to know about any struggles you have with basic choressuch as cooking, cleaning, and laundrythat aren't always documented in medical notes. A spinal nerve compression causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs as a result of a compression sensation. Common examples of back problems that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis ordisc herniations. Enter your information to join our mailing list. Scavolaris is rated in the following ways: 1, 2, 3, or 4. Its possible that your measurements dont accurately reflect the extent of your ROM because it changes as your condition improves and decreases. A medical nexus, or a link between your service and the injuries, illnesses, or events that occurred during your service, also requires VA approval. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body, although it can affect both. If I was discharged under other than honorable conditions, can I get my discharge upgraded? document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? However, in rare circumstances, veterans can experience bilateral sciatica. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. You should start the five year process for applying for VA benefits today. medically evacuated for MSKIs failed to return to the theater. By using the information weve provided you with, you should understand what needs to be measured and recorded for a proper diagnosis. Service-connected disabilities deserve a disability rating based on all of their health issues, regardless of how severe they are. Copyright Merative 2023 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. If you have a current physical or mental disability or an event that occurred while you were active-duty, you must provide proof. If someone is dishonorably discharged from the military, they are not allowed to own firearms according to U.S. federal law. Once you grant SSA permission, you will be given progress notes from your doctors. If you are suffering from chronic sciatica, a chronic condition, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Two medical review boards determine medical discharges: the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) and the Medical Evaluation Board (or MEB). 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. Brian Reese founded VA Claims Insider and Military Disability Made Easy, both of which specialize in claims processing. 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.