What is the Cervicalgia VA Rating? VA Disability Rating for Neck and Shoulder Pain

The cervical spine, which is made up of seven vertebrae and three discs, is a typical site of chronic discomfort in the neck. The most prevalent location of back pain is the thoracolumbar spine, which is made of several vertebrae. The Department of Veterans Affairs classified back and neck pain as different disorders, even though they are commonly caused by spinal abnormalities.

Cervical pain or cervicalgia is the medical term for this ailment. Veterans and active-duty service members often complain of neck problems. People with poor posture, military training, physical training, or deployment, may all initiate neck muscles to dilate and become stiffer. Your military duty may have caused or worsened your neck and shoulder pain. A time comment release method is the definition of VA service tied to neck discomfort. You may be entitled to service channel reimbursement for your neck discomfort if you can demonstrate that your service resulted in it. It is vital to know that the VA does not pay out invalid compensation to veterans who suffer from neck pain. As a consequence, VA does not assign a rating to neck issues that have occurred in the past but have been treated and corrected in the succeeding period. A service fee may be charged for neck pain and discomfort that was already present before drawing but was made worse by drafting.

Neck pain or Cervicalgia service connections may be set up in much the same way as other service connections can be set up for other ailments. A medical diagnosis, proof of an event or disease that occurred at work, and a link between illness and working hours are all necessary for veterans to get compensation.

How does the Department of Veterans Affairs examine the neck problem?

VA employs the general assessment formula for spinal illness and injury (38 CFR 4.71a) to evaluate most instances of neck pain, similar to low back pain. Measurements of motion are used in this grading system under the following conditions:

The worst possible form of spinal ankylosis: This is complete and total fusion. The thoracolumbar spine ankylosis was seen in 50% of the patients studied.

It’s a good sign if the whole cervical spine is spherical. As long as the thoracolumbar spine is not bent more than 30 degrees, we’re talking about ankylosis that’s unfavorable.

Cervical ankylosis is detected in 40 percent of patients, and the cervical spine regularly exhibits anterior flexion of fewer than 15 degrees or good ankylosis in the majority of instances.

More than 15% forward spinal curvature, but no more than 30 degrees, or more than 15 forward spinal curvature, or at least significant muscular spasm or guarding that prevents the spine from moving forward at least 20 percent.

Only a small fraction of persons have cervical or thoracolumbar spine range that is more than 30 degrees, but not more than 40 degrees, or an aberrant spine shape, or a vertebral subluxation.

How to determine Cervicalgia VA Disability Ratings?

A soldier who has Cervicalgia may be able to get compensation from the VA in one of these ways:

The VA disability rating for neck disabilities, including cervicalgia, can range from 10% to 100%. The specific rating is determined based on the severity and impact of the condition, as assessed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Here is a general breakdown of the rating percentages for neck disabilities:

• 10% Rating: This rating is typically given for mild neck pain with minimal limitation of motion or functional impairment.
• 20% Rating: This rating may be assigned for moderate neck pain with some limitation of motion or functional impairment.
• 30% to 40% Rating: These ratings are typically given for more significant neck pain with moderate limitation of motion or functional impairment.
• 50% to 60% Rating: These ratings are assigned when neck pain is severe and there are significant limitations in motion or functional impairment.
• 70% to 100% Rating: These higher ratings are typically given for severe and chronic neck pain with complete or near-complete loss of motion, or when there is significant functional impairment affecting daily activities.

For example, neck pain in people with radiculopathy should not be regarded to be a separate disorder. Do not agree with the VA examiner in this circumstance, since each of the two conditions will be evaluated under various diagnostic codes by the VA.