How do I prepare for a military medical discharge? One of our VA disability lawyers talks about SMC and how you can actually get more than 100% of your VA disability benefit money. 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. Rest, ice, and pain medications are all available in addition to rest. When applying for disability benefits for sciatica, consult with an attorney to determine if you are eligible. The veterans diagnosis of a schedular rating of limitations on motion of the lumbosacral spine is used to calculate this rating. Military Medicine, Volume 185, Issue 9-10, September-October 2020, . There are several common symptoms of sciatica. Sciatica Military Discharge Sciatica is a condition that can be caused by a herniated disc in the lower back. For Reservists, the condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify. Instead, the board can make independent recommendations to the senior commander for final approval. Herniation occurs when the fibrous ring around the disc ruptures and the inner nucleus of the disc is pushed out. This period is three months unless another length (such as six months or one year) is noted in the condition ratings. In some situations, you may be eligible to apply to have your military discharge upgraded to a higher rating. An official website of the United States government. But, if your limited motion is the result of something else, then you can be ranked for both your sciatica and your limited motion. If two exams record the diagnosis differently, then the exam with the most exhaustive data and performed by the most qualified professional in that sector will be the exam the rating is based on. Compare the rates, fees, and rewards of top credit cards for military servicemembers and veterans, including cards with waived annual fees under the SCRA. The Military Wallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Each branch of the VA has its own set of responsibilities, each serving its own set of veterans. of Veterans Affairs, the Dept. Remember, sciatica may also be a secondary issue to other service-related conditions, so be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for a medical opinion. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. We will need medical records and evidence that sciatica is a permanent condition, so you must demonstrate that it will make it difficult for you to perform tasks that are essential to your job. In such cases, the physician or rating authorities can extend this period as necessary. 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. Keep in mind that that rating can be increased if there is a herniated disc or a bulging disc that causes a doctor to prescribe bed rest, specifically six weeks or more over a year's time period. You have trouble controlling your urine or bowel movements. Receiving a discharge or separation is not the same thing as military retirement. If I was discharged under other than honorable conditions, can I get my discharge upgraded? There are several types of military discharges, but they fall under two main categories for enlisted personnel, administrative separations (or ad-seps) and punitive discharges. Many civilians assume people retire from the military when they leave the service, which isnt always the case. You must have a disability that prevents you from standing, walking, stooping, climbing, or sitting in order to qualify for benefits. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits. There are Two Forms of Military Discharge 1. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Now, using the combined rating table above, we'd start with the 21% rating and the 30% rating. A sciatic nerve condition like complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve results in the muscles in the leg and below the knee worsening. However, when your command makes an effort to involuntarily separate you through a non-judicial process, it is called an administrative separation. Remember, a single condition can only be ranked once. Virtually all veterans benefits are forfeited if discharged due to bad conduct. Isnt that another type of Discharge that an individual can have. The VA offers two disability programs for veterans, which are listed below. There is no definitive answer when it comes to the Veterans Affairs (VA) rating for nerve damage in legs. Your commanders opinion does not assure the boards decision. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the individual case and the severity of the condition. Sciatica can make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time. The Military Wallet is a property of Three Creeks Media. Some people with sciatica may find that their symptoms improve over time and they are able to live relatively symptom-free lives, while others may find that their symptoms are more chronic and require more ongoing management. Use a heat pack or a heating pad set on low heat. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. Administrative - This form of discharge is given by the discharge authority, often a commanding officer of high rank. There is a chance that sciatica will develop if either of these conditions are present. The average percent disability for back pain was 11%, and the . For more information on how to apply, contact the VA in Vermont, or for information on accredited service officers. Likewise, a member might not be able to reenlist or enter a different branch of the service. The disability claims examiner reviewing your file will be looking to see: Most importantly, the examiner will look for medical imaging that can pinpoint the source of your sciatica. On days when you feel less pain, you may be rated as disabled under the VA disability guidelines. Daniel . A person suffering from sciatica may have a variety of issues, including a chronic disease or injury. The sciatic nerve, which runs through the back of the thigh, is frequently compressed. Furthermore, you must demonstrate that the back pain is related to a service-related injury, illness, or incident. Even if a veteran did not receive an honorable or general discharge, it doesnt necessarily mean they were discharged for bad conduct. The written notice will outline your recommended characterization of service and basis for the separation. 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. Treatment for sciatica can include pain relief medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Your rights will depend on how many years of service you have. When the spine becomes bulded, either as a result of natural degeneration or as a result of physical injury, the disc is damaged. What is Scoliosis? This article may contain links from our advertisers. 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! 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. It has an 80% chance of being incomplete or severe paralysis of the sciatic nerve. Finally, you must demonstrate that the pain in your back is a direct result of the event, injury, or illness. But, a veterans discharge rating is private information.That means private employers cant request verification of a veterans type of discharge without their permission. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Ulceration, varices, fistula, achalasia, or other dysmotility disorders; chronic or recurrent esophagitis if. Support your beliefs with professional medical records before and after service to demonstrate that you didnt suffer from back pain until after your time in service. Special thanks to Jennifer for keeping me updated and returning my many phone calls. Officer Discharge However, the condition is generally rated anywhere from 0 to 100% depending on the severity of the damage. Also called a Herniated Disc, this is the most common cause of sciatica. This results in inflammation, pain, and usually some numbness in the affected leg. Slipped Disc. Remember, sciatica is the pain that an individual receives when the sciatic nerve is irritated. Your military service does not always result in the identification of disabilities that the VA provides for. The discharging officer must give the reason for the discharge in writing, and the military member must sign paperwork stating they understand the reason for their discharge. When filling out an ADL application, avoid making statements like I cant do anything or everything hurts.. Apply heat on your back or leg for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. Their knowledge of the VA Disability system is phenomenal. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation they deserve. If your condition is severe, you may also require an orthopaedic exam. The diagnosis of sciatica is determined by a patients history and physical examination. Scoliosis is a condition that arises when the spine has an abnormal curvature. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Veterans who developed scoliosis during their service may be eligible to receive VA disability benefits for their condition. Service-connected disabilities deserve a disability rating based on all of their health issues, regardless of how severe they are. Veterans can also be given a rating based on their disability applications performance. The content offered on The Military Wallet is for general informational purposes only and may not be relevant to any consumers specific situation, this content should not be construed as legal or financial advice. As a result, sciatica is not a permanent disability but rather a temporary one. After surgery and testing, the PEB/MEB determined that I would be unfit to continue military service. The SSA will want to see evidence that your pain is intense enough to require medical attention. In an ideal world, employers would only use military information as a reference when screening an applicant. It then runs down the back of your thigh, into your lower leg and foot. A complete medical examination by a primary care doctor is usually required to diagnose Sciatica. A service member may receive a general discharge under honorable conditions if their performance is satisfactory but the individual failed to meet all expectations of conduct for military members. By combining sciatica treatment and long-term medication avoidance, we can alleviate your pain while also reducing your reliance on long-term medication. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on May 7, 2020 by Mike Woods Last Updated on September 6, 2022. Mild neuralgia can lead to a 10 percent disability rating if there are symptoms of only mild or theres a mild intervention with the limbs functionality. If someone is dishonorably discharged from the military, they are not allowed to own firearms according to U.S. federal law. Is there a Medical Discharge? See what the upcoming Navy museum might .

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