VA Disability for Sciatica
Sciatica probably isn’t the first type of injury that comes to mind when you think of service-connected disabilities. However, paralysis of the sciatic nerve is one of the most common reasons veterans receive VA disability benefits. In the most recent year reported, 72,520 veterans received new benefits for paralysis of the sciatic nerve, bringing the total number of veterans getting VA disability for that condition to more than 1.5 million.
Here’s what you need to know about sciatica and related conditions, how to qualify for VA disability benefits, and how disability ratings are determined.
What is Sciatica?
Technically, sciatica is a symptom, not a medical condition. The term describes the pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the leg that can occur when the sciatic nerve is compromised. These symptoms may result from a wide range of triggers, including nerve inflammation, pressure on a nerve, and damage to the nerve.
In addition, many different types of injuries can cause sciatica. Some common examples include:
- Herniated disk
- Pelvic fracture
- Spondylolisthesis
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back down each leg. That means injury to the nerve can cause back pain, leg pain, weakness in the leg muscles, and other symptoms. The pain can be severe enough to be debilitating and may be constant, intermittent, shooting, burning, or a combination of different types of pain. Paralysis of the sciatic nerve can impact a veteran’s ability to walk, and even to control the muscles in the lower leg and foot.
Service Connection for Sciatica and Related Conditions
Sciatica and other sciatic nerve conditions are not presumed service-connected. It will be the veteran’s responsibility to show that they have been diagnosed with the condition and that an in-service injury caused the problem. That may be established through military medical records and perhaps other supporting evidence, such as statements from fellow service members who witnessed the injury and/or can speak to when the symptoms began.
Many veterans who receive VA disability benefits for sciatic nerve issues have disability ratings for other conditions. For example, sciatica may be a secondary condition to an injury to the lumbar spine. When you pursue VA disability benefits, it’s important to include all service-connected conditions. If you leave something out, you may end up with a lower disability rating than you deserve. And, a lower disability rating can mean more limited benefits and less monthly compensation.
It’s also up to the veteran to provide sufficient medical documentation and other evidence of the symptoms and limitations associated with the condition to establish a fair VA disability rating.
VA Disability Ratings for Sciatica and Related Conditions
The VA disability rating for sciatic nerve issues depends on the severity of the condition. The most severe listed condition is paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The highest possible rating is 80%, for complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The VA considers paralysis complete when the foot dangles and drops, there is no movement possible in the muscles below the knee, and flexion in the knee is weakened or lost.
Incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve is rated based on how severe the paralysis is. The possible severity levels and associated ratings are:
- Severe (60% disability rating) – marked muscular atrophy
- Moderately severe (40% disability rating)
- Moderate (20% disability rating)
- Mild (10% disability rating)
Neuritis (inflammation of the nerves) and neuralgia (pain in a nerve pathway) are rated differently. The ratings may range from 10% in cases where the veteran experiences only mild nerve pain or minor impairment in function to up to 60% if the veteran suffers severe neuritis with loss of function, severe diminishment of reflexes, and loss of sensation.
Pursuing VA Disability Benefits for Sciatica
The first step in pursuing VA disability benefits is always a diagnosis. In the case of sciatic nerve pain, the diagnosis will generally be something more specific, such as neuritis, neuralgia, or complete or incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. You may also have an additional diagnosis that is connected to the condition, such as a slipped disk that created the pressure on the nerve.
The medical evidence required to establish your claim, your VA disability rating, and the amount and type of benefits you are entitled to will depend on the diagnosis, whether there are other conditions involved, and how severe your symptoms and limitations are. Some of these variables, such as the loss of flexion of the knee or atrophy of muscle tissue, can be objectively measured by a medical professional. Other elements, such as pain, can only be established through the veteran’s own reports and reports of those who have an opportunity to witness the impacts of the condition.
If you’re unsure exactly what type of documentation you’ll need, whether you’ve undergone all of the necessary medical testing, or even how to show that your condition is service-connected, don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for.
Help for Disabled Veterans and Their Families
At Disabled Vets, our advocates are fully dedicated to helping veterans receive the VA disability benefits they deserve, and to making that process as efficient and painless as possible. We know how the VA disability rating system works, what type of medical information is required to establish your claim, and when you may benefit from other documentation like a buddy letter. We’ll guide you through the process from the beginning, ensuring that you can submit the strongest, most comprehensive claim possible.
If you’ve already been denied VA disability benefits or your rating is too low, you may be even more overwhelmed. The VA offers a complicated system of different types of appeals, and it’s up to you to choose the best one for your circumstances. We can help with that, too. But time to file an appeal is limited and the appeals process can take a long time. So, the sooner you contact us, the better.
To learn more about how we can help, call us right now at 888-373-4722, or fill out our contact form here.
