#1: Direct Service Connection for Cervicalgia rated under the General Rating Formula for the Spine with a rating of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 100%.There are 3 primary ways a veteran can get a VA Rating for Cervicalgia: Pro Tip: In accordance with the “Painful Motion” principle, if you have pain upon flexion or extension of your neck or shoulder, the VA is required to award the minimum compensable rating for the condition, which is 10%. The highest scheduler rating for severe neck pain is 100%, which means your entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. The VA rates Neck Pain under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 5237, Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain. If you think you have a neck condition, but don’t have a medical diagnosis, pick-up the phone and call the VA health facility nearest you to make an appointment right away! What is the VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain? Persistent and recurring symptoms of Neck Pain (“Severity of Symptoms”) to include how it affects your work, life, and social functioning Your Neck Pain was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service OR by another service connected disability for secondary service connection (“Nexus” for service connection) Medical diagnosis of either Cervicalgia, Neck Pain, or Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain, in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records) To be eligible for a VA rating for neck and shoulder pain, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law: VA Disability Rating for Cervicalgia: Basic Eligibility Criteria Cervicalgia can affect muscles and nerves connected to the head, leading to pulsing or throbbing headaches. This is a common issue that’s caused by numbness or weakness in the arms or fingers. Some veterans may experience problems with reflexes, sensation, or strength, which may be experienced in the arm due to compressed nerve roots. This is nerve pain that might feel like a burning sensation. This is radiating pain from the neck into the shoulders and arms. This refers to tenderness in a broader area of the neck. The pain may be localized to one place and might feel like a stabbing or stinging in your lower neck. Problems moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head from side to side. Common Signs and Symptoms of CervicalgiaĪccording to Spine Health, signs and symptoms of Neck Pain include: The good news is you can get VA disability benefits for neck and shoulder pain if your condition was caused or made worse by your military service. Neck muscles can become strained from poor posture, carrying heavy things, military training exercises, high-intensity physical training, deployments, or long hours hunched over a computer. What Should I Expect at a C&P Exam for Neck Pain?Ĭervicalgia is the formal term used to describe “Neck Pain.”Īs of this writing, a total of 1,129,931 disabled veterans are service connected for neck conditions.Can I Get a Secondary VA Rating to Neck and Back Conditions?.20% VA Disability Rating for Cervicalgia:.What are the VA Disability Ratings for Neck and Shoulder Pain?.What is the Reasonable Doubt Rule for Neck and Shoulder Pain?.How Do I Increase My VA Rating for Neck Pain?.What is the VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain?.VA Disability Rating for Cervicalgia: Basic Eligibility Criteria.Common Signs and Symptoms of Cervicalgia.VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease.VA Disability Ratings for Back Pain Explained.You Might Also Like the Following Blog Posts:
Okay, let’s explore how to get a VA Rating for Neck Pain as well as what you can expect at a C&P exam for your neck and shoulder. Your final VA Disability Rating for Neck and Shoulder Pain depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms to include Limitation of Range of Motion (ROM) and Painful Motion. The highest scheduler rating for neck pain is 100 percent, which means your entire spine is frozen in an unfavorable position. VA Ratings for Neck Pain range from 10 percent to 100 percent, with breaks at 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, and 50 percent.
The VA rates Cervicalgia under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, DC 5237, Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain (Neck Pain). Neck Pain is the #5 most claimed VA disability. Lumbosacral, Cervical Strain, or Cervicalgia are the medical terms used to describe “Neck Pain.” In this guide, we’ll explore how to get a Cervicalgia VA Rating (Neck Pain) even if you’ve already filed or been denied VA benefits in the past.